Sun Umbrellas

In japan, as in major asian countries, girls carry umbrellas all the time. If it rains, to protect them from the rain, if it's sunny, to protect them from the sun.

It has nothing to do with the heat. It has to do with UV Rays and the risk for their skin to become brown. In switzerland, we use any opportunity to lay out in the sun like lizards and hope for a nice browny sun tan. We even have "Sun Shops" where we can get tanned. In japan they cannot believe we actually pay money to become brown!

Well, they say is not ealthy to get to many UV rays, and that's the reason behind it. Actually the real reason is a little bit more complex.

The tradition of a white skin, was there in Europe too. The original meaning was that high-class women and girls, didn't want their skin to become tanned, otherwise they would look like they were working in the fields. Therefore, a pure white skin, would guarantee that the family was well off enough to not have to work, but they had servants.

...believe me... some women here, are soo white, that you wonder if it's ealthy. My opinion: nothing on both extremities is good... and i like to get tanned from time to time ;)