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Q: How do you react to praise about white skin?
I know it's meant as a harmless compliment, but I always feel super awkward when Chinese people compliment me for having pale skin. I never know how to react. Usually I immediately return the compliment by saying that their skin is nice too and how I wish I tanned a bit more. I used to go on "educational" rants about how darker complexions are sought after in the West and how the fake-tan industry is huge and how we don't feel comfortable with such compliments because of racism, how whitening products are bad for you etc. etc. But most of the time I can't be bothered anymore because it happens too often so I just smile awkwardly.
i just say that my skin colour is due to there being less sunshine at home and i am considered unhealthy looking - which is true: slightly tanned skin is much better looking. I also tell the girls they are probably damaging their skin using any whitening products.
I always retort with "Americans like darker skin. It's more beautiful than late-onset albinism."
Red_Fox:
Reminds me. I saw my first Chinese albino the other day after almost 5 years in China. Male, early 30s, maybe. Crossed paths on my way to the bus stop. The only oddity about the man was he had dyed his hair black. But clearly an albino.
Wonder how his family, friends and neighbors perceive and treat him. Reckon he's got social or psychological probs? Hmmm...
Hulk:
You sure he was an albino? I ran into a seemingly-albino chick in China, but it turns out she used too much skin whitener and dyed her hair red.
mArtiAn:
I dunno what you've got to turn your nose up at, you're bleeding green mate.
Hulk:
Right, through Gamma tans. I didn't put an umbrella on myself when turning the radiation towards myself. DURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
mArtiAn:
Green thong lines round your meat and two veg? That's embarrassing.
isn't it funny that Chinese spend so much money trying to emulate a vampire and Westerners go to tanning salons 
mArtiAn:
In China dark skin means you're a farmer and have no cash. In the west it means you have cash and just came back from Barbados.
I simply say that I'd rather look natural as opposed to a Mary Kay Massacre (or a Beijing opera mask). The vampire analogy works great too, as long as you can change into a bat and fly around the room (takes a lot of energy, believe me).
Sun Exposure Benefits May Outweigh Risks Say Scientists http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260247.php
everything in moderation. but chemically bleaching ones skin.... that is just crazy (as is those who spend too much time in the tanning salon and turn orange)
I hope one day my wife will dare to go out without an umbrella, rain or shine. She could when we lived back home, sun less intense but rain so much more intense.
I used to go on the educational rants too, but then I gave up and just smile and say thank you. It is so much easier. And as it is usually old ladies who say anything, I've decided they really dont need a rant from me. Their views are often stuck and thats fine.
i just say that my skin colour is due to there being less sunshine at home and i am considered unhealthy looking - which is true: slightly tanned skin is much better looking. I also tell the girls they are probably damaging their skin using any whitening products.
No one has ever praised me for my white skin coz I ain't got any! Mulatto brown is me and yes, I stay out of the sun, preferring the shade on a sunny day.
No-one has ever remarked on my skin colour, but then (and this will come as no surprise to my old friend Crimo) i've always been told I was yellow. My nicknames at school were (excuse the slurs) Chinky and Yellowman. True story.
Hulk:
More proof that you're Chinese / wumao / Xi Jinping / Barack Hussein Obama.
