Whiter than White

I realize the Chinese have a saying “White covers ugly” but:

·         The advertising models here are at least 50% Caucasian (of the Nordic variety) – higher % of ads with Caucasian models here than in the US

·         There are entire shelves of “whitening crèmes in the pharmacy”

·         In my MNC office building all the pictures on the walls are of red haired, blue eyed freckle-faced kids performing activities suitable for living in Wyoming

Maybe it’s aspirational  but where on most streets they is every shade of humanity except white, it seems odd. 

Maybe it’s a way of not offending any of the ethnic groups – not that I feel comfortable asking anyone. 

It will just remain a mystery.