If you’ve recently been to China or are planning to visit soon, chances are you’ve heard of the Chinese face-kini.  If not, a face-kini looks like a ski mask, but it’s more of a beach mask.  The Chinese cover themselves from head to toe at the beach, not out of modesty, but out of a fear of tanning.  (This desire for white skin is evident, too, in the cosmetic sections of the stores where shelves of skin whiteners abound.)  So don’t be alarmed if you come upon a beach full of what looks like super heroes (or super villains).  No, Comic-Con isn’t being held at the beach;  you’re just viewing an extreme form of skin protection.  NPR has a good story on the face-kini here. 

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