White skin

[geraldc]

In Europe, tradtionally having a tan meant you worked in a field and were therefore poor, and thus unattractive. It wasn't until Coco Chanel decided that tanning was good, that tanning in the west became fashionable.

[yorkie_bear]

my skin is pretty fair for a chinese girl. Back in the UK, it can get quite sallow and people often ask if I'm feeling ok

once when in HK I accidentally bought face cream with whitening in it. I can say it did make my complexion look less sallow - but also made my skin more sensitive. God knows what they put in the stuff - probably acid to peel away the outer layers. ugh!

[dejavu5]

in summary,

the desire for white skin is very much a part of chinese culture, it has been in existance since ancient times, before contact with europeans.

most chinese women see white skin as a epitome of chinese beauty, and most chinese men prefer chinese women to have white skin.

the interesting observation is that now with chinese immigrating overseas, these ideals and culture are influenced by other things - for example, 2nd generation chinese in america will probably think that a tanned sun kissed look is more appealing.

[opper567]

I have never in my entire life seen a Chinese person with a sunburn (I live in a town where Chinese people make up a large percentage of the population, so its not like I've never seen Chinese people)... Why is this?

[gougou]

Maybe because they carry umbrellas around all the time...

Seriously though, my ex-girlfriend used to get them, so it's not like they don't need to worry about it.

[Lu]

Opper: I have. An overseas Chinese girl in my highschool class once got a sunburn, I was a bit surprised at the time, did't know non-white people also could get sunburnt.

[Quest]

I have never in my entire life seen a Chinese person with a sunburn (I live in a town where Chinese people make up a large percentage of the population, so its not like I've never seen Chinese people)... Why is this?

Chinese people get sunburn very often. Maybe the people who live in your town just never went to the beach. I got sunburned everytime I went outdoor swimming when I was a kid, and all my skin would fall off.

[Ian_Lee]

I don't even need to go to the beach to get sunburn.

I got sunburn by just mowing my front yard for half an hour even though I had covered up. In some "big sky" states, it is very easy to get sunburn.

[Xiaohua]

Hey everyone!! Another intreasting older topic. Well, I want to share my experience. I'm black, I have a tan complexion. And no matter how much people think that pale, sickly looking skin is attractive. I'm very much proud of being tan. I think that being tan is beautiful. I would hate to walk around pale, where people can see veins through my skin. I don't mean to sound mean, but if I were pale. I would never want to leave my house. I don't want to look like I'm walking around sick.

I hear that alot of chinese like pale skin. Why is it that I'm tan, and never have trouble attracting them?!