24 Funny Illustrations That Show The Cultural Differences Between The East And The West Made By This Artist

I’m guessing it’s to do with tanning - a bit of a suntan is preferable in Germany, not so in China?

It's about tanning. In Germany being too light is considered unattractive. People love to tan. A nice, deep tan is considered attractive. I for my part was devastated that I have red hair and almost translucent white skin and never tan. But as far as I know Chinese people want to be very light skinned.

Tanning is popular in Germany, but not so in China. The perception in many parts of the Far East is that tan = working in the field = poor.

Yeah I'd say you're correct. From what i have gathered China like most of Asia does and always had considered light skin the epitome of beauty and luxury and has done so for thousands of years (no the west didn't force it upon them or coerce this ideal). And as I have worked with many Chinese I can say the respect for those with extremely dark skin is near nonexistent to *in many cases I've seen) total bigotry beyond what the west finds acceptable

You get it. Human nature is to want what you can't have. For future reading, look up the case of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.

Many Germans find black people exotic and erotic. My dad was in the military. In my youth I remember hearing discussions that black people needed to be aware of that if they got stationed in Germany. Women were specifically told to keep an eye on their man because German women might try to take him.

a solid tan = healthy, sporty vs no tan = sick, not socially active

Not just Chinese, fair skin is a beauty ideal in most of asia. With social stratification so much more prominent in the third world, skin tone really does correlate with who someone is. Fruitpicker skintone comes from hard labour, not a bottle.

Fair skinned westerners used to prefer having tan skin. They would spend leisure time sunbathing to get a golden look. At some point it represented the jet setters of the rich and famous. It was associated with the leisure activities of hanging out at a swimming pool, the beach, golf and tennis. It was an ironic change in thinking from the middle ages when royalty valued fair skin as a mark of the higher class.Those with dark skin were viewed as day workers who spent time outside in the fields performing hard labor. I don’t believe the sun worshiping is as prevalent today because of the increased awareness of skin cancer. They also realized its long term effects made them look older. Easterners have always valued keeping perfectly unblemished skin. Much like the royalty of the past, they view it as a sign of wealth and good health.

Used to be the same in Europe. A tan was the sign of someone with a low status position like a farm labourer, whilst the wealthy stayed out of the sun and were pale. Maybe it's still the same in China?

In China and Asia skin bleaching cream and products are really main stream...the goal is to look paler

Germans (& other western white cultures) like to get tan in the summer so their skin looks vibrant and "healthy" while Asians generally feel the lighter the skin is more desirable.

In Germany, people sometimes like to get tanned. In China, people sometimes like to whiten skin

i think you are right

Could be right. In many shops around the world I see skin brightening products, in the west self tanning lotions. It's deeply cultural. Dark skin no longer means you work in a field but you can afford exotic holidays.

You got it

You hit the nail on the head

o I'm going with this as symbolic of the difference in beauty ideals?

China men & women like white skin tone. It means you don't work in the fields.

looks like they are both men in bikinis, to me

Maybe it’s just me but I think the German one has bigger boobs. But the both look more like men

Idk about Germany but I know in China the more pale you are the more beautiful you are

They are the same

No it just means we all have the same perception

Well the Chinese at least definitely prefer their women pale but I can't speak for the Germans(I'm Chinese)

Totally agreed. However, been a Chinese and staying in tropical country, my skin is more tan naturally.

Suntan or really white skin.

i think that is what it means.

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The German has bigger boobs.

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You don't get much do you?🥴

Mankinis,they call them