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37 answers

because it looks better

2006-07-19 02:15:37 · answer #1 · answered by Star DUst 5 · 1 1

Hello,

Well, in Britain at least, it used to be the case that pale skin was admired. The reason for this is that pale skin showed that you did not have to work outside for a living, like labourers, so you were either a professional person (working in an office, or a doctor etc), or you were wealthy enough to not have to work.

Then I think in the 1950's onwards the wealthy members of society could afford to go on holiday abroad, to Europe, then further afield, Africa, India the Americas (a lot of the world still had strong links to Britain thanks to the British Empire). When they returned back to Britain they would usually be tanned, and therefore darker than those British who stayed in the country (I think that the British climate back then was more temperate than it is now).

So, a tan became associated with wealth and therefore desirable/fashionable, and I think its just gone on from there.

Hope that helps.

If you like, could you tell me where you're from and how you're culture regards light and dark skin, I'd be interested to know!
Thanks, have a nice day!!

2006-07-19 03:23:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Just to elaborate on what Boston Bruin wrote, there are a couple of theories as to why tans are attractive in Western cultures.

Like many other attractive features, a sun tan can be seen as an indication of health. If a Western person spends most of their time in shelter, they will not develop a tan. If they are active outdoors for a good period of the day, they will develop a tan. Therefore, over time, having a tan became an indicator of health, which made it attractive. This isn't a matter of conscious selection. It is not like I say to myself, "That person is attractive, because her tan means she is healthy enough to go about outdoors." It is a genetically wired preference, an inherited trait from our ancient past.

A second theory is that people are often attracted to that which is exotic. The reason is because we have an innate, biological drive to choose mates which are different from us. This provides our offspring with a diverse set of genes. To many Western people, having darker skin is seen as something exotic, in contrast to their own lighter skin. Developing a tan allows a Western person to appear exotic to other Westerners.

Finally, some people think the tan is attractive for cultural reasons. They see it as just a sign of status, meaning that someone is wealthy enough to afford leisure time outdoors and active enough to enjoy outdoor activities. As evidence, they point to the fact that several generations ago, a woman was considered more beautiful if she had very light skin, because this meant she was wealthy enough to have others do her outdoor work for her.

2006-07-19 02:33:49 · answer #3 · answered by timm1776 5 · 1 1

When I was a teenager I thought that tan skin looks good. Later, however, I noticed the bad effect it makes on my skin (brown freckles) and especially after visiting a dermatologist who was a young lady and already had a melanoma . Living in Florida it's very important to protect your skin from UV rays, the sun is so brutal here. I started wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants, a lot of sunscreen. And after a year I noticed a great improvement in my skin, it became even milky white tone that looked very good. Sometimes I notice unattractive brown spots in young girls and leathery skin in older woman - all fans of sun and tanning salons and I think I don't want the same skin for me especially when you will be like 30 and over.
I like however tan on my son, since it contrast so much with his blue eyes and blond hair.

2006-07-19 02:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by nazyk6 1 · 0 1

tan skin is just a passing phase. right now, it's popular because paleness=much time spent indoors=geek. [which is NOT true! some people just don't tan easily or don't like to lay out for ours and get skin cancer]
have you ever seen a REALLY pale person? so pale they're almost blue? that's what tanned people are trying to avoid.
additionally, tan skin doesn't make acne look quite as bad, it makes people who have chunkier [but not fat] limbs not look bad, it matches with more hair colors, and if you go out in the sun a lot, you get natural highlights.

2006-07-19 02:30:35 · answer #5 · answered by frances.bacon&eggs 3 · 0 1

Having pale skin meant that you were rich enough to not have to work outdoors to survive. Later on it was reversed, having a tan meant that you had enough money to have free time to go out and get a tan by taking plenty of vacation time.
Now they have fake spray on tans that are incredibly expensive, so again you need to have some money to look tan.
Body builders like to be tan because it highlights their muscle tone and definition.

2006-07-19 02:18:07 · answer #6 · answered by Miss Guided 4 · 1 0

Possibly because they look to the skin tones of others where the sun is more and think its just the effects of the sun, whereas, in reality, it is more often genetics and race that affect the skin tone...People always seem to want something they havent got, so a pale British person, wants to look like an exotic South American, for example

2006-07-19 02:17:41 · answer #7 · answered by SunnyDays 5 · 0 0

I think it's disgusting... yes a little tan is good.. but you know, I walk around Tesco with my boyfriend who is half black, and there's white people who are blacker than him! If that's any of you people, then just look what you are doing to your skin! You're going to get skin cancer and then you're going to regret it. Go with the light skin dark hair red lipstick kind of thing! Or a bit of fake tan!

2006-07-19 02:19:34 · answer #8 · answered by susanradford18 4 · 2 0

Boston is a quintessential blend of colonial history and cutting-edge innovation. From the wonderful cobblestones of Beacon Hill and innovative landmarks of the Freedom Trail, to the iconic reasons of Harvard University and Fenway Park, Boston is really a treasure trove of Americana and with hotelbye you may have the chance to know this treasure. Boston is known it whilst the "support of liberty" and Faneuil Hall is among the areas must-see just as the adjacent Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a location which includes three long halls: Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market. , Faneuil Hall Marketplace is relationship from the early 19th century and has become entertained with a vibrant choice of shops, restaurants, and exhibitions. In great weather, you will discover road artists and buskers wearing shows in the square around the market.

2016-12-20 03:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

I remember growing up in school in America and reading about a sickness that many European royalty used to have called sickle celled anemia. It involves the inability of your body to produce enough red blood cells and so you become much lighter in complexion.

So having a bit of color is a sign that you are much more healthier, because if you appear without color then it is a sign that your blood isn't flowing. No1 wants to date a vampire and have them bite your penis off in the middle of the night. That would suck :(

2014-01-25 10:44:48 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0 1

tan skin is good, because it gives you a more radiant look, and when your too pale you look kinda sick and with a tan you look like you actually go outside rather than hiding from the sun all day in your house

2006-07-19 18:59:39 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

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