Imagine being a 15-year-old girl caught in the middle of a family obsessed with skin color. In desi culture, paler skin is often seen as more attractive, leading to a lot of colorism. Our young protagonist finds herself stuck between her dark-skinned dad’s side of the family and her fair-skinned mom’s side. After taking better care of her skin, she receives some unexpected ‘compliments’ from her family, but are they really compliments? Let’s dive into her story.
The Colorism Struggle

Family’s Skin Tone Differences

Constant Skin Care Advice

Going Along with It

Skin Care Routine Improves ♀️

Family Video Call

Paler = Prettier?

Aunt’s Insensitive Comment

Hanging Up in Frustration

Mom and Dad’s Reaction

Conflicted Feelings

Edit: Background Info

Edit Two: Overwhelmed Inbox

Is It Really a Compliment?
This 15-year-old girl finds herself in an uncomfortable situation when her family praises her paler skin. While they claim it’s a compliment, she can’t help but feel insulted. With her mom and dad siding with her aunts, she’s left feeling conflicted and frustrated. Is it really a compliment, or is it just another example of the toxic “paler = prettier” mentality? Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…
NTA- Empathetic replies to a comment about colorism and racism

Indian teen stands up against colorism, faces stubborn older generations.

Aunt’s backhanded compliment sparks outrage
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/9b1c5ec9-b193-4548-8af8-2f221abe53ed.png)
Desi OP receives colorist insult, family says ‘take the compliment’

Praise for pale skin or backhanded compliment? NTA, it’s manipulation.

Fighting colorism and being kind. Well done!

Defending against insulting ‘compliments’ from family.

Rejecting colorism, commenter calls out family’s harmful beliefs.

NTA with relatable experiences, unnecessary insecurities, and self-love

NTA comment shuts down insulting compliment comparison

Colorism in desi communities discussed; Aunty’s comment criticized

Navigating colorism and family comments about skin color.

Mexican commenter shares experience with colorism and receives support.

A heartwarming story of acceptance and love in an all-women studio ❤

Breaking Color Barriers: Brown girl power ✨

The struggle of being complimented on fair skin

Muslim commenter calls out racism in skin color compliments.

Mixed-race commenter shares experience with colorism and agrees with OP.

Debate on plastic surgery and religion sparks in comments

NTA Indian teen receives backhanded compliments on skin tone.

Standing up to colorism and body shaming.

Colorism and its harmful effects on self-esteem and value.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/a92a2e8e-6d8a-4d15-9a5d-302b594c6378.png)
Opposing colorism in Indian culture and protecting children’s self-esteem.

The pressure to have lighter skin in desi culture

Mother shares frustrating experience with in-laws’ colorism.

Empowering response to family’s insensitive comments about skin color.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/834db9b3-098a-46d7-8dba-b5bd832bf1e2.png)
Desi women share experiences with colorism in family

Aunties can’t give a straightforward compliment. NTA.

Embracing diversity and supporting each other.

Sunscreen is the only concern for skin color, not compliments/insults

Embrace your skin tone and don’t let others dictate it.

Navigating cultural differences in family can be challenging

Suggests turning the tables on skin color ‘compliments’

Fighting colorism and ageism with a no-nonsense attitude.

Breaking colorist stereotypes, support and encouragement for standing up
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/69e49cdd-2aa0-43db-9a1b-0fd4f144980c.png)
Grandmother’s toxic comments affect relationship with granddaughters

Desi teen stands up to fake compliments on her paler skin

Standing up for oneself against backhanded compliments

Fighting colorism in schools. NTA stands up for herself and her dad.

Embrace your skin color and shut down racism with weddings

Breaking the stereotype: NTA shuts down prejudice in family

Avoiding drama with aunties, NTA comment shuts it down

Supportive comment from a white male, advocating for distancing from family.

Family support for skin tone choice
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/2e26451f-91be-42cf-b5ee-c464cbe3d150.png)
Embrace your natural beauty, forget society’s unrealistic standards.

Embracing cultural differences with a touch of humor. NTA.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/9a9fbfb4-9a78-4483-b07f-28b7c2624c6c.png)
Embracing paler skin: a compliment or insult?

Fighting colorism in the Caribbean community

Embracing all skin tones, NTA stands up against beauty standards.

Shutting down passive-aggressive gossip with class
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/0933374c-958f-4778-a9aa-2b556baee433.png)
Transgender analogy highlights the malice behind backhanded compliments.

NTA: Compliments should not insult others.

Empathetic New Yorker praises teen’s self-confidence and anti-colorism stance

Fighting toxic colorism and debating plastic surgery in Islam

NTA. Desi family’s obsession with fair skin is damaging and cruel.

Growing up pale in a tan world: NTA shuts down skin-shaming

Supportive comment against colorism and family’s harmful behavior.

Breaking cultural beauty standards. Inspiring message for self-love. ❤

Standing up for oneself: a relatable experience for many

Fighting colorism in the family

Overcoming colorism and educating the next generation.

Insult disguised as compliment. NTA for feeling offended

Family’s backhanded compliment on skin color is not okay.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/c14bbf72-3048-428e-94ee-bc0eb22f88f5.png)
Paler skin as a compliment? Nope, it’s an insult. NTA.

Embracing natural skin tone is important. Toxic beauty standards suck
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/936e70de-a186-4a91-8539-500755e9694f.png)
Compliment or insult? Redefining the meaning of compliments.

Family praises paler skin, opposite happening to commenter. NTA.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/50023385-da98-41c8-8783-dda7a6f5a147.png)
Standing up to family members who make hurtful comments.

Encouragement for teen facing toxic beauty standards from family.

Commenter’s extreme reaction to skin color compliment, NTA verdict.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/07d9f9c0-5c04-4b1a-b126-a39941b750d0.png)
Standing up against backhanded compliments and toxic colorism.

Language barrier leads to amusing comment with no replies.

One person’s inappropriate joke about skin color in video calls.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/6181b354-2503-41e7-be37-6a7075fb1994.png)