: Re: How to describe skin colour, if "white" is not the point of reference? A character looks at another character, skin colour creates certain associations. A character looks at himself, and associations

@Gonzalez219

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There are plenty of options, but a few factors you should take note of.

If this is a Middle Eastern 'setting', that means it's hot and dry, likely desert-like. Even a Caucasian's skin will darken there before long, tanning. Unless they're a redhead, which usually means they can't 'darken', so they'll likely redden and have freckles like there's no tomorrow.

There are Caucasians in the region, native to the region. This isn't as uncommon as many would think. So the first question you should answer (for yourself) is: how common is this complexion/race in this region? If it's very uncommon or even rare, then everyone's likely to stare.

So what to compare it to? Stones in the region (alabaster), foods/drinks/ingredients (salt, rice, milk, cream--careful with this, for some reason comparing race to food is 'trigger territory' for some people), flowers (desert lily, cactus flower), or even natural features (clouds, sands, fresh snow). Or just say 'pale' if that makes sense in your comparison.

Keep in mind that no culture or identity is monolithic. There's always a percentage of 'other' even within a xenophobic cityscape. People notice differences quicker than similarities, whether in dress, race, hair colour, eye colour, or even facial features. Humans a funny like that.

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