If you’ve visited Thailand, and especially if you’ve formed any kind of relationship with a Thai woman while there, you may well be aware of the ironic phenomenon that exists there. When compared to the current beauty regimes of women from the West. And the ‘ironic phenomenon’ I speak of, is the popularity of ‘whitening creams’ with Thailand’s female population.
That’s right. While women back home are spending ever more time, and money chasing that sun-bronzed look, both from travel to sunny climates, and/or achieved artificially, Thailand’s coffee skinned Goddesses appear to be doing all that they can, to achieve the exact same opposite. Talk about the grass always being greener on the other side! In fact; whitening creams in Thailand, are as commonly found on the shelves of stores in Thailand, as shower-gel would be here back home. With everything from face masks, and deodorant, through to foot-cream containing whitening agents.
But why?
As with the tanning of Western women, the process is to some degree fashion based, and born from the desire to appear more attractive to potential mates. Especially with the current (at time of writing) popularity of Korean, and Japanese culture (such as television soap operas) within Thailand (places where women tend to be of a more porcelain complexion). Thai women seek to imitate them.
However, arguably the most powerful incentives to appear white of skin; for Thai women, are based on social status. Being white of skin in appearance separates and elevates paler Thai women from, and above Thailand’s rural laborers, and farmers, who toil all day under the scorching sun. As in most countries, and arguably - especially in Asia, class, and ‘face’ (how others perceive you) is incredibly important in Thailand. So being, or appearing to be, of a higher ‘caste’, for Thai women, increases both desirability, but also, can even go as far as opening up social, and employment opportunities, that would not be open to those of darker skin.
That’s right. While women back home are spending ever more time, and money chasing that sun-bronzed look, both from travel to sunny climates, and/or achieved artificially, Thailand’s coffee skinned Goddesses appear to be doing all that they can, to achieve the exact same opposite. Talk about the grass always being greener on the other side! In fact; whitening creams in Thailand, are as commonly found on the shelves of stores in Thailand, as shower-gel would be here back home. With everything from face masks, and deodorant, through to foot-cream containing whitening agents.
But why?
As with the tanning of Western women, the process is to some degree fashion based, and born from the desire to appear more attractive to potential mates. Especially with the current (at time of writing) popularity of Korean, and Japanese culture (such as television soap operas) within Thailand (places where women tend to be of a more porcelain complexion). Thai women seek to imitate them.
However, arguably the most powerful incentives to appear white of skin; for Thai women, are based on social status. Being white of skin in appearance separates and elevates paler Thai women from, and above Thailand’s rural laborers, and farmers, who toil all day under the scorching sun. As in most countries, and arguably - especially in Asia, class, and ‘face’ (how others perceive you) is incredibly important in Thailand. So being, or appearing to be, of a higher ‘caste’, for Thai women, increases both desirability, but also, can even go as far as opening up social, and employment opportunities, that would not be open to those of darker skin.
No comments:
Post a Comment