For those of us that do, why do you think we do? What is it that draws us to the sun and causes us to lay for hours, hoping to soak in some of it's steaming rays? Is it a deep primal need to return to our African roots? Or did Coppertone just do a freakin number on us?

I'm in AZ..have been for a few days. It's been well over 110 everyday. Despite the heat, in fact, because of the heat...I keep going outside, laying by the pool, hoping to turn my pure white skin a few shades darker.

Seriously...why do you think we do that? It is just as simple as saying, "People look better with a little color?" Or is there much more to it?

Another reason? It shows that you have the leisure time/$ to be able to get a tan in the first place. Therefore, it's a bit of a status symbol.
[Edited 7/19/05 12:27pm]

VoicesCarry said:

Is that a bad thing? Is that your answer as to why we tan, to show we have leisure time?

I don't tan, so I don't know.

VoicesCarry said:

I disagree. Anyone who works outside gets a tan. Certainly house painters and farmers aren't living like the rich and famous. In fact, if you are indoors all day, not struggling, you won't have a tan, and that in fact may be a status symbol.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

I think a good glow on someone looks good but the old oil me up and bake for hours look is not for me

mdiver said:

Understood....by why is it done? Lord knows you have plenty of time now to mull this over. Please do.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

I will dedicate my next 2 days in bed to mulling this over. Anything else you would like me to think on?

My first response I think will still stand in the finish though "coz it looks nice "

White people have always felt inferior. Their insecurity is what led to the one of the biggest crimes in history against my African brothers and sisters!

JoeyMFinCoco said:

HAHAHA!



You're right. I hate being a cracker ass cracker!

JoeyMFinCoco said:

Still blaming us for Vanilla Ice.....it's in the past, damnit!
Let it go.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Yeah but Vanilla Ice was and still is a crime not just the music but the hair omfg

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Because people look healthier and better looking with a tan than when they are pale. Even though it isn't really good for the skin.

what people might see as a healthy glow, is really layers on top of layers of damage to the skin that speeds up the aging process. I do not tan. I'm white as a ghost and I don't care if I look out of place in the summer when I'm 40 I don't plan on looking like I'm 50. Besides I think pale is beautful.

Sweeny79 said:

I only get wghat happens if I'm out and about doing something. I don't TRY to do it.

I agree with you. I like my natural color and I don't give a shit. You and I will be the ones laughing when our overtanned peers and us hit 40.

Nero said:

Yup

A healthy tan makes all of our lines and curves much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. We all know that the first people on earth were of color and all others are descendants of that lineage. Whites are the most lacking of the chemical that produces color which is known as Melanin. So in an effort to be as beautiful and healthy looking as their colored brethren....they tan when they can...whether it be in a bottle, booth or aerosol can. Those that do tan, just have to be like those of us who have it naturally.

Nero said:

I never go to tanning booths, and fortunately summer in NH lasts about 4 weeks.
I doubt this limited exposure will have long term effects....
Then again, who knows. I might end up looking like the woman from Something About Mary.

Sweeny79 said:

Ugh, and I hate those over-tanned folks who come in the store I work, wearing nothing but their swimsuits. I mean, damn. They're thinking they're hot, but they've got this kind of crinkle to their skin and those sun freckles that just aren't natural.

Nero said:

I know exactly what you mean...that is so nasty

I tried to get a tan on holiday last week

I failed



on our one but last day people were asking if i had just arrived

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Yeah, and in the winter, when all the rich bitches look like they just came back from the Caribbean because they bake an hour a day in the tanning beds. Do house painters and yard workers have them then? No. I graduated from high school a few years ago, and as you got older, that you had the time and money to have a tan all year 'round was a status symbol.
[Edited 7/19/05 14:03pm]