Skin whitening products -- reprehensible or wrongheaded?

[Berkshire]

4 minutes ago, fusion58 said:

these traditional beliefs and prejudices still hold sway today, although probably not to the extent that they once did.

From your own article.  That's the point.  These old explanations that you guys keep dragging up largely doesn't apply today.  You should go out and actually talk to Thais who are still alive, instead of basing all of your opinions on outdated "traditional beliefs." 

[fusion58]

9 hours ago, Berkshire said:

From your own article.  That's the point.  These old explanations that you guys keep dragging up largely doesn't apply today.  You should go out and actually talk to Thais who are still alive, instead of basing all of your opinions on outdated "traditional beliefs." 

 

What "point?"

 

"Not as prevalent" doesn't mean "no longer exists."

 

And it certainly doesn't support your claim that the use of skin whitening products by Thais is no more than an expression of an aesthetic preference equivalent to a Caucasian's preference for a sun tan.

 

If you honestly believe those "outdated" traditional beliefs no longer hold sway over people here, then this just further confirms your ignorance re: Thai culture.

[Berkshire]

6 hours ago, fusion58 said:

And it certainly doesn't support your claim that the use of skin whitening products by Thais is no more than an expression of an aesthetic preference equivalent to a Caucasian's preference for a sun tan.

You're touting yourself as an expert on Thai behavior.  But your arrogance is only exceeded by your ignorance.  Since you came up with some archaic reason for why modern day Thais lighten their skin, perhaps I can come up with one to explain why Caucasians get a tan....

 

[Already in ancient Greece, fair skin was a symbol of high social class. It would be millennia before the typical tanned tone of summer became, by accident and thanks to a famous fashion designer, a symbol of social prestige.]

https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/research/why-do-we-tan/

 

So some white folks tan their skin for "social prestige."  Sounds very much like your explanation for the Thais....

 

 

[fusion58]

16 hours ago, Berkshire said:

You're touting yourself as an expert on Thai behavior.  But your arrogance is only exceeded by your ignorance.  Since you came up with some archaic reason for why modern day Thais lighten their skin, perhaps I can come up with one to explain why Caucasians get a tan....

 

[Already in ancient Greece, fair skin was a symbol of high social class. It would be millennia before the typical tanned tone of summer became, by accident and thanks to a famous fashion designer, a symbol of social prestige.]

https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/research/why-do-we-tan/

 

So some white folks tan their skin for "social prestige."  Sounds very much like your explanation for the Thais....

 

 

It doesn't take an "expert" to understand how Thais see skin tone as an outward indicator of social class - all it takes is a little time spent actually living in the country and a little observation.

 

I suspect you have little or no such experience as your takes re: the significance of skin tone, the use of whitening products, etc., are a prime example of "alternative facts."

 

Have you watched much Thai TV? Have you ever asked yourself why the rich folks are always lighter-skinned and the servants and flunkies are always darker-skinned actors? There are clues all around you - all you have to do is open your eyes.

 

And LOL at the silly ancient Greece analogy: you're proving to be quite the master of false comparisons.

[Berkshire]

10 hours ago, fusion58 said:

It doesn't take an "expert" to understand how Thais see skin tone as an outward indicator of social class - all it takes is a little time spent actually living in the country and a little observation.

 

I suspect you have little or no such experience as your takes re: the significance of skin tone, the use of whitening products, etc., are a prime example of "alternative facts."

 

Have you watched much Thai TV? Have you ever asked yourself why the rich folks are always lighter-skinned and the servants and flunkies are always darker-skinned actors? There are clues all around you - all you have to do is open your eyes.

 

You really should quit pretending to be an expert on all things Thai.  It seems you observe the most superficial aspects of Thai society and come to simplistic conclusions that fit your narrative.  You bring up archaic explanations that don't really apply in the modern day.  You watch Thai soaps and observe the skin tone of the hi-so and lo-so and immediately conclude "it's all about skin color!"  Come on.

 

It's not any one thing that determines social class, although wealth and family connections are high on the list.  Things such as how one speaks, dresses, mannerism, as well as education and job, those things are what determines social status.  Skin color is way down on the list.  But if you're talking about the Thai's view on personal physical attractiveness--a whole another issue--then one's skin tone can be a big part.  The point is, if a woman talks in a vulgar way, dresses like a hooker and has an M4 education, she's going to be considered low class regardless of her skin color.  

 

You are more obsessed about skin color than the Thais.  Get a grip. 

[Mavideol]

On 6/16/2019 at 1:52 PM, Jingthing said:

Dangerous skin bleaching has become a public health crisis. Corporate marketing lies behind it.

they should check what happen with Michael Jackson while using it

[fusion58]

On 6/27/2019 at 12:30 PM, Berkshire said:

You really should quit pretending to be an expert on all things Thai.  It seems you observe the most superficial aspects of Thai society and come to simplistic conclusions that fit your narrative.  You bring up archaic explanations that don't really apply in the modern day.  You watch Thai soaps and observe the skin tone of the hi-so and lo-so and immediately conclude "it's all about skin color!"  Come on.

 

It's not any one thing that determines social class, although wealth and family connections are high on the list.  Things such as how one speaks, dresses, mannerism, as well as education and job, those things are what determines social status.  Skin color is way down on the list.  But if you're talking about the Thai's view on personal physical attractiveness--a whole another issue--then one's skin tone can be a big part.  The point is, if a woman talks in a vulgar way, dresses like a hooker and has an M4 education, she's going to be considered low class regardless of her skin color.  

 

You are more obsessed about skin color than the Thais.  Get a grip. 

 

Once again, I didn't say skin tone "determines" social status - I said Thais commonly view skin tone as an outward indicator of social class, so please ixnay on the straw man fallacies.

 

Furthermore, as I said before, it doesn't take an "expert" to understand that the use of skin whitening products isn't merely an expression of an aesthetic preference (equivalent to that of those Caucasians who pursue sun tans) as you have claimed. Any expat who's lived in Thailand for more than a month or two understands this much.

 

Quote

The point is, if a woman talks in a vulgar way, dresses like a hooker and has an M4 education, she's going to be considered low class regardless of her skin color.  

LOL!

 

How many lighter-skinned Thai or Sino-Thai-looking women do you see who fit the above description?

 

Further confirmation that you live in some other Thailand that exists only in a whacky "alternate facts" universe of your own creation.

 

[Zikomat]

 

 

 

1 hour ago, fusion58 said:

 

 

How many lighter-skinned Thai or Sino-Thai-looking women do you see who fit the above description? Are you one of those who found happiness in the feudal prejudices of modern Thailand? 

 

 

 

I have met a lot of lighter-skin, sino-thai prostitutes in Thailand. What exactly do you want to prove?

Edited June 28, 2019 by Zikomat

[fusion58]

14 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

I have met a lot of lighter-skin, sino-thai prostitutes in Thailand. What exactly do you want to prove?

 

He didn't just say "prostitutes," e.g., the girls who work the Ratchada soapies.

 

You might want to reread his complete description:

 

Quote

...talks in a vulgar way, dresses like a hooker and has an M4 education

 

So you want to claim you've met "a lot" of light-skinned Sino-Thai girls who meet the above description?

 

I suppose, like the OP, you can offer anecdotal evidence to support anything you imagine.