"Don't wear yellow, you'll look like a taxi" and other ridiculous advises no dusky girl ever signed up for

The main problem is the fairness cream ads, I tell you. Photo Courtesy: Youtube/FairAndLovelyIndia

India is a country obsessed with fair skin and milky-white complexion--especially when it comes to women. Because well, we have always had books about swoon worthy tall, dark men, who are considered handsome, but nothing similar like that for women.

I mean, it's not a surprise that fairness creams sell like hot cakes in our country. After all, everyone wants Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan without even understanding how idiotic that song is. In fact, even if you look at the matrimonial ads, "fair" is one word that you'll find common in all of them.

So what happens to those who aren't fair? Well, to be honest, being a dusky girl is definitely not an easy feat. From being called different names to being advised against wearing certain colours, women are told directly, or indirectly, to lighten up.

Here are five annoying things every dusky girl wishes the society will stop telling her.

Don't Wear Yellow, You'll Look Like A Taxi
When I was a kid, I had a yellow raincoat that was my favourite. It not only had huge pockets, but it was actually the only raincoat that fit me perfectly. However, each time I wore it I was advised not to, as it made me look like a taxi. Apparently, people thought that it was a good advice for a child.

However, no one told them that if I'm a taxi then they should pay the fare--for saying such a ridiculous thing in the first place.

Have You Ever Tried Using Fairness Creams?
You see, for a naive teenager who wants to fit in, societal pressure can be a curse. So, I used a fairness cream. Only to realize that it can only cure my acne problem. Which was great!

I realized that instead of me using a fairness cream, the society should use some brains. Also, can someone please tell me why do advertisers always use fair-skinned actresses for these ads? I mean, what are they even trying to say?

Try Putting Besan On Your Face
Whenever someone mentioned, or still mentions, putting a besan pack on my face, I immediately feel hungry. Wonder why? Well, according to me the only proper use of besan is to make pakodas and it doesn't rain all the time for me to make it. So no besan, no thank you.

You Shouldn't Use Makeup, It Only Suits Fair Women
Makeup suits everyone. Also, shouldn't it be my choice if I actually want to put makeup or not? Hell, I will put foundation, a bronzer, and a dark lipstick, if I want. My face, my rules.

You Should Cover Yourself Whenever You Go Out Because No One Will Marry You If You Became Darker
Maybe I like going out in the sun, or maybe the idea of mummifying myself doesn't seem appealing to me, or maybe, just maybe, my idea of getting more tanned is actually a ruse to avoid getting married at all. Who knows? If only the society was more concerned about its downfall than my nuptials or my complexion for that matter. *sigh*

Also Read: Apparently, I can't wear black because I'm newly married. Why doesn't the same rule apply to my husband?

Also Read: Make-up woes of a woman with large pores: Here's why I hate wearing foundation