10 Things Every Light Skinned Brown Girl Is Tired Of Hearing
I’m an Indian, and I’m fair skinned. Being fair skinned in a land of dusky beauties definitely attracts a lot of attention. Most of what I hear are compliments but hear the same compliment over and over again and you begin to wonder if that’s the only good thing about you! Now I’m not complaining about being fair skinned or the comments I get about it, but you definitely tire of hearing the same things. So here are ten things every light skinned brown girl is tired of hearing.
1. You’re pretty because you’re fair skinned
I’ve heard it from my old classmates, well-meaning neighbours and even a guy I dated. Thank you! But fair skin doesn’t necessarily mean beauty. I can tell you I’ve got some serious girl crushes on some attractive dusky ladies, so beauty definitely isn’t defined by a person’s skin tone.
2. You look like a foreigner
When I was in high school, I transferred to a new school. A girl came up to me after a few days of quietly exchanged smiles and asked me which country I’ from. She thought I was an exchange student. This wasn’t the last of this kind of incident. I’ve been told plenty of times that I look like a foreigner, and let me tell you it gets old!
3. Are you really South Indian? You’re too fair.
To be fair, this comment just pertains to which part of India I’m from. A large population of South India where I’m from, people are dusky. So I’m asked frequently if I’m really from the South because I don’t look like it. Yes, I’m South Indian, and yes I’m fair. Fair South Indians exist. Do you relate to this list of things every light skinned brown girl is tired of hearing?
4. I’m so jealous of you!
This statement is honestly really flattering. But the people who tell me this are actually really attractive themselves. Besides, as I mentioned earlier, skin colour shouldn’t be a measure of attractiveness at all.
5. Have you gotten tan? What happened?
Indians have an obsession with fair skin. Tans are absolutely loathed. So as a fair skinned person sporting the even the slightest tint of a tan invokes a barrage of questions. Usually starting with ‘What happened?’ and most likely to end with advice on how to lighten my skin again. Do you relate to this list of things every light skinned brown girl is tired of hearing?
6. Oh no! You’ve got pimples! How come?
I have sensitive skin, so I get the occasional smattering of acne and spots. And because I’m fair these spots are quite visible on my skin. What I get for it is an extension of the previous ‘What happened?”, this time ending with advice on how to get rid of the spots.
7. How did you get so fair skinned?
Let me tell you the answer… I truly don’t know! I was just born this way and I’m happy with it. Until someone pointed it out and commented on it, I’ve never actually thought about how or why I’m fair. And honestly, I doubt I’d be able to come up with an answer even if I thought about it. Do you relate to this list of things every light skinned brown girl is tired of hearing?
8. Tell me your beauty secret
This is an extension of the previous question. Come closer… and I’ll tell you. Tell you that I don’t know! I don’t have a beauty secret. I’ve never actually done more than a basic hygiene routine as far as skin care is concerned. If anything I’d definitely credit my genes. My family is fair skinned so I’m fair skinned.
9. Your fair skin is your asset
I admit that being fair skinned is an asset, especially in a country like India where fair skin is a standard of beauty. Being fair has added more charisma and presence to my being, and I’m thankful for the attention it gets me. But sometimes I can’t help but wonder if that’s my only asset. It leads me to actually develop an insecurity of whether I have any other stand out qualities. Do you relate to this list of things every light skinned brown girl is tired of hearing?
10. You’ll easily find someone to marry, you’re fair!
Yes, I’ve actually had people say this to me. What? Why? How? I really don’t know! No people aren’t going to line up to marry me just because I’m fair. I could be a horrible person for all they know! Personality -and a lot of other things-matter in a marriage, you know?
