to be astounded at the number of people stripped off sunbathing in the park when everyone knows how BAD that is for you?

[LadyBiscuit]

In an era when smoking is more or less banned and the government spends a fortune telling us to eat better and drink less, why are so many people so obsessed with getting a tan when we all know how bad it is for you?

Apart from skin cancer, all the sun worshippers I know look much older than they really are because they are so lined from lying in the sun.

Franca - if you read the thread I've already admitted that I know I was being over the top. I still find it odd - particularly when trying to explain why the park is littered by people looking like corpses in underwear but if that's a fun way of spending a Sunday to you, enjoy it

I have read the thread, sorry I dared posting on it. Yes, spending the sunday catching a bit of sun (it doesn't happen that often in the UK, I found) doesn't sound that bad to me.
Sorry the UK lost the football match.

I was being tongue in cheek - sorry it didn't come across that way

Sorry I didn't get it . Peace?

It's my fault - should have done a at the end. And yes peace please

It's a lovely sunny day after all

I'm actually envious of the lovely weather you are having, when we lived in the UK summers were always incredibly disappointing.

I don't smoke, drink, do drugs or even party that much.
I don't sunbathe, but I like to be out in the sun with a sunhat on, walking or working in the garden.
If I'm out for longer than 1hr then I put on factor 30.
The sun is my only pleasure and we all have to die of something one day, but have some pleasure in the meantime

Judge me for I am a lovely golden colour (no lobster)

It suits me, I look good

I love summer and will not deny myself getting out into that lovely sunshine

Skulking around indoors ???...fgs, get a life

I don't think you should skulk around indoors and I'm sure I would be very envious of your lovely tan AF. I have an office job and small children so don't have much opportunity to get one even if I did enjoy lying in the sun. I am waiting for my holiday in August!

I have had my holiday, LB (hence the tan)

So now feel perfectly OK to get out and about, keeping it topped up (gently)

I don't sit round and sunbathe - I am one of those miserable bastards always wearing clothes when everyone else is in a bikini, and sat under a parasol.

I used to not give a shite about it - but after having skin cancer at the age of 30, yearly checks with dermatologist for the rest of my life and a good chance another melanoma will occur, well you can stick your sunshine where the sun don't shine.

I cover myself in factor 30 and don't sit out in the sun much - was sat out by the pool yesterday though and it was wonderful for 10 minutes, and had to force myself to get in the shade. So, can fully undetstand why people want to bake themselves in the sun, it feels marvellous. But I have personally suffered the consequences of frying myself and therefore don't sunbathe.

We are going to the South of France AF - I suspect I will be spending most of my time in the shade as it'll be too hot

My niece has a beautiful tan - she is a student

I tan easily, so that helps

Totally understand why fair-skinned/those with history of skin problems stay out of the sun, btw

I am so pale as well - a tan makes me look so healthy.

I gave up on that self tan bollocks years ago as it is such a faff - however I bought some last week and tanned myself - GOD it makes such a difference, I look really healthy, it makes me look slimmer and my eyes brighter. I also don't need to wear any make up apart from mascara. I just look 100% healthier.

It's mad isn't it - just changing your skin colour a few shades and it can make such a difference. I really thought I had embraced the pale and interesting look, but i am going for the whole footballer's wife, leather handbag look now

GOML - I bet you'd make a splendid WAG

I slap on instant fake tan to take the edge of the whiteness in case I hurt people's eyes but that's about it.

YABU

I have olive skin which tans easily. I use sun screen but I do lie in sun and tan too.

I think burning is dangerous, you can sunbathe and be safe. sunlight is good for you.

How many more things can the government regulate.

Soon we won't be able to do anything.

next rule: only one sexual partner in a lifetime (to avoid risk of STD)???

Die stupid thread die

I slap on sunscreen too.

Don't want to be crepey-skinned leathery bird at 40. That and not wanting to have chunks of skin cancer carved out too.

But I would prefer to look tanned so I fake it.

Ooh Fanjo, I am 44 and don't think I look like a leathery old bird even though I do love the sun. Was sunbathing today by a pool (about 28 deg most of the day here ). I use a lowish factor sunscreen but have moisturised religiously morning and night for the last 20 years which I think makes a diference.

I don't burn despite having fareish skin in winter - I look and feel a zillion times better with a bit of a tan!

I am also 44 and don't look like a leather handbag

btw folks...all women get crepey skin eventually...it's called ageing

Tanned skin doesn't mean skin cancer, ffs, burnt skin does and usually in childhood.

AF - true enough we'll all age, unfortunately.

I like to look tanned but just don't want the skin damage that will make me look (more) knackered than I already am at 36.

the debate on the playground today was which of these is WORSE for you

1. sun/getting burnt

2)plastering yourself in suncream "all those chemicals" ffs - the same people were plastered in make up, hairspray, etc!

3. fake tans - are they safe?