Conversations over Dinner

Hi. My name is Mandy, and I am white. I mean VERY white. I was born this way and there’s nothing I can do to change that.

Oh, I have tried over the years. I tried sunbathing, but only succeeded in getting sunburn. Sometimes I freckle, but I never, ever tan. One spring I gave in to peer pressure and did the tanning booth thing. I didn’t really tan, but the blinding whiteness was toned down a bit. I still can’t believe what they charge for tanning booth time! Really, I’m not that vain. I tried the self-tanning lotions, but only managed to turn orange and blotchy.

So, I have resigned myself to the fact that I am white. I’m no longer interested in risking my health for the sake of a “healthy look.” My skin may be white, but it is healthy skin.

It seems to be socially acceptable for friends, acquaintances, and even strangers to comment on my paleness. Some people take a strange delight in comparing my pale skin to their own darker tone, as if they’ve won a contest of some sort. Good for them. I, however, have accepted my skin just the way it is. Let’s just say I have a creamy complexion, or skin like porcelain. Yeah, that sounds pretty good.

Hi. My name is Mandy, and I have skin like porcelain.