What’s so weird about Hong Kong? #06 Tanned skin is not fashionable

Many of us know the problem with the pre-holiday skin tone. Summer is knocking on the door after a long cold winter, but our skin colour is far from being ready for the bikini season. It is something between a snow and an egg white tone.
As soon as the sun is out we rush to the nearest bit of grass and make sure to expose as much skin as possible to get a hint of a tan. The very fanatic ones amongst us might even go to the sun booth during the cold months, to avoid turning pale, because pale skin makes you look sick and unhealthy and is just not fashionable.

Well, that is only true in some parts of the world. Most East Asians for example consider white skin as the ultimate beauty ideal. They associate a fair tint with success and a high economic and social status.
This phenomenon has mainly historic roots and lately gets a little help from the beauty industry. Tanned skin often refers to peasant life, as farm workers are exposed to the sun a lot. And this occupational category was – and still is – often associated with a low income. Especially in East Asia, this understanding still plays a huge role for the social status. That’s why some people do anything to turn just a little paler. Women are especially creative when it comes to whitening their skin. The first and easiest countermeasure is to avoid the sun. When going out of the house on a sunny day the umbrella is a must-have accessory. Whenever there is a non-shaded street to cross, the umbrella is propelled up to protect the skin from the sun. Sitting outside in the warm summer sun, is basically to forget about some of my Oriental friends. They prefer to sit inside the dark and smelly canteen instead, to avoid any sun ray possible.

But the countermeasures go further. Huge advertisement campaigns from several beauty brands feed the trend with whitening products, which are supposed to make the skin fairer. Unfortunately their use often results in an unnatural tone and can even be damaging to the skin. Furthermore, specific diets are suggested and the consumption of milk or Chinese yams is supposed to contribute to brighter skin colour. Soy sauce on the other hand should be enjoyed with moderation, as it is considered to result in a darker tint. The fanatics amongst the whiter-tone hunters even undergo laser treatments or injections to get a lighter skin surface. 

What if they are on a beach holiday? Do they even go to the beach? They obviously do, but only with a really strong sun blocker and possibly also an anti-sun mask. Also the “bikinis” are more likely to cover up a little more than in Western countries.
So don’t fear your first visit to the swimming pool if you possess naturally pale skin. Keep in mind that someone in this world is more than jealous of you.
And anyways, the skin tone is just a colour, so why make such a big deal?