What are 'donkey beads'?

What are 'donkey beads'?

Norine Dresser (Writer) gives expert video advice on: What is considered inappropriate attire in other cultures?; Why would I need to remove my shoes before going into someone's home? and more...

I think it was in the late 50s or the 60s. There was a book called “Bright Blue Beads”. I saw them; I fell in love with them. My children were very young. I saw them at the farmer's market and I told my husband, “If the children want to buy me a present, this is what I want.” So he dutifully took them over there and they bought it. They were so excited. I just loved these beads, because I loved the color. They called them donkey beads. I didn't think anything about the name. Cut to decades later. My daughter is married to someone from Iran. I put on something, as I said, I love the color, it's a really good color on me. I love the color. My son in law goes (pointing). As soon as he did that and started to laugh I realized the meaning of “donkey beads”. They're beads that the donkeys wore in Iran. As soon as he did that, I felt so uncomfortable. It was funny. I loved them out of context. He put them back into context. I felt so stupid. Oh, yeah. Here's your human donkey.