learn_russian | Middle Blue

Talking with another American living in Russia, she commented that many people react negatively to the word голубой, something which I hadn't noticed myself -- but remarking about a boy's "light-blue" sweater, for instance, would not be well-received.

The other day, I was substituting as an English language teacher for a 3rd-grade class: They'd been practicing their "question" words, and I'd received instructions that I should encourage them to ask questions about me. When I replied that my favorite color was "blue", there was a fair amount of snickering -- although I am female, the only thing which I can attribute this reaction to is the association with "голубой."

Question is this: Does anyone think that the meaning of "goluboj" as a color might eventually have the same fate as the way of "gay" meaning " (or whatever it meant.) Is the rising generation reluctant to use this word?

Will there no longer be a designation between light and dark blues, eliminating the "Is that голубой or синний" quandry for all of us foreigners...?

Or is this just a case of kids being kids, being uncomfortable with lots of facts of life? What does the adult population currently think?