I was curious what you others have encountered.

[bk120]

nhscotsman-

The family members that live in the rural part of Thailand (Northeast corner €“ East of Surin) all have made comments that they really dislike their dark skin but from what I have encountered in my trips over the past year or so, many Thai€™s don€™t like the idea that they are so dark, but isn€™t that the way things are though. You always wish you were something different?

Yup, that always seems the case- wish to be different. I tell some of the girls who said they like my lighter tone skin (and iam chinese decent) that in the USA many people want to get that "healthy tan" look- having a little bit of "color" looks good. Although, tanning has recently fallen a bit out of favor in the states with the doctors constantly warning of Malignant Malenoma on the 6 o'clock news.

Shiiitt...I wish I could be shagging in LOS now, but that would mean giving up all that which is SO, SO much fun here in the States

[Monkey]

and

yeah, that's why Thailand sells so many bottles of skin whitening lotion and here in the West we have the fake tan in a bottle.

Also, and this is probably the main reason, it's a class thing, dark skin is associated with the manual labour workers in the fields, the poor people with no education, the Isaan people. 'Some' Thais look down on these people and have absolutely no desire to be dark at all.

We in the UK used to think like this many, many years ago, even the plantation owners would stay covered and hidden from the sun and then it became fashionable for the rich to go on holiday and get sun tanned with the advent of aviation bringing foreign holidays and skiing trips to those with the money to pay.

Since then it's become pushed in the media by marketing gurus that slim, toned and tanned is sexy and fat, pasty, bloated, whale ass girls just ain't chic anymore.

[TiaoLang]

Bar girls and especially pool room bar girls are astonished that I will pay there bar fine and tip well for there company. Not to have sex with them.

I am engaged to a Thai lady from Buriram (10 years my junior, I am 37). She is aware of my past, and that I enjoy female company, just for fun and conversation.

So they are impressed/bemused/shocked when I leave the bar at 2am and say I am going back to my hotel alone. I had informed them immediately upon meeting that I have a girlfriend.

They are then frustrated that they are not going to get a good shagging, as I have flirted with them for about 4 hours and enjoyed a few beers and games of pool.

I am above average looking with weight and height in proportion. So in Thailand I am handsome, in the UK I will not get a second glance, occassionally sometimes.

I am a sociable person, and I can find a friend anywhere. In my mind I have just had safe sex, I have kept my trousers on, and I have not been unfaithful/broken my fiancees trust.

Only in Thailand.