I think that this whole pale skin vs tanned skin needs to stop. I have some friends who are really insecure about themselves just because they cant tan and all these magagazines and ads that present tans as the only way to beauty do not help. These ads only reinforce the view that tan=better, as if there is a wide spread consensus about that sort of thing! I think that this whole promotion of one colour needs to stop, people should be left to discover what complexions they like best and suits them best.
I am black and with us there is a growing like for darker skins. Its really stupid because only a few years ago, it used to be the opposite and people were into lighter complexions. This just shows how relative this whole concept of beauty is and that people should just stay as they naturally are, or as they are comfortable with (i.e. you can change your colour as a white person, but cant really when your black!)
I might be getting a bit too serious and political but I really hate the way that these concepts of beauty in the media affect the pple around me. Just stay as you are, pale and handsome!