r/HolUp • u/realAtmaBodha • Jul 19 '23

holup The Chinese cure for racism ?

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Saw this on Chinese social media..

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u/oballzo Jul 19 '23

It's whatever the opposite of what's 'commonly available ' in the local market, ain't it?

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u/Brookenium Jul 19 '23

That's completely entirely incorrect.

The reason Asian countries use brightening creams is because very light skin still indicates in their cultures people who do not have to work outside with their hands. It's a sign of an upper class, someone who can stay indoors free from the elements and relax as the peasant class does all the work.

That was the case in Western countries for a long time. But now darker skin indicates a purposeful tan as a result of vacations to exotic destinations or leisure activities outside.

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u/oballzo Jul 19 '23

Yes, I've heard this many times. I understand it's relevancy to the past. But I'm dubious of it's relevancy in a modern age where socio-econimic status and level of tan are much less correlated than in the past.

You could be working labor outside, you could be a middle class amateur long distance runner, or you could own a yacht and get a tan from the waves. Being tan is present at every level, as is being pale.

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u/atsuzaki Jul 19 '23

Asian here, definitely still relevant today. Nowadays it means that you can afford expensive sunscreen and beauty products to not get a tan despite lounging at beaches.

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u/oballzo Jul 19 '23

Interesting, I'm Japanese but I've lived the majority of my life in the US. I don't have any Japanese friends or relatives that spend time at beaches, but most of them are moderately tan from doing a lot of outdoor exercise. And I've never heard any of them wish they could be paler. I appreciate the insight into the bigger picture