The most obvious example I’ve noticed since I’ve been here is our skin. I personally feel like I look better with a golden fresh tan…. And when I am wintery pale- BLAH. I love “working on my tan”.
Thai women think I am crazy… What, lay out?? Gasp.
They have that golden beautiful skin tone that most of white folk desire. So naturally, they want lighter skin. This is noticable at the height the day when the sun is beaming. Most Thai women won’t dare to go outside without their umbrellas to shield their skin. When I’m walking on the street, I have to dodge being poked in the face by the passing umbrellas-on a perfectly sunny day.
Another example is when I needed to restock my soap supply (very important-which many smelly foreigners seem to forget); I couldn’t find a brand that didn’t have some sort of “whiting” ingredient (not sure how that works-probably just marketing).
I think this applies in soo many aspects of our lives. The trick is learning how to love and be happy with what we have....but dont expect me to give up laying out anytime soon.
