I don't like "tanning" either but unfortunately the common conception is that a "healthy tan" is the only way to look good (at least around here). I don't so much care during the winter time, but do get a bit self-conscious if I still look like Frosty the Snowman one summer hits. I think people easily get carried away though. Really, just a few hours of exposure per week is enough to keep you from looking like Frosty, and "sunbathing" for hours on end just makes you look like a reptile. Every time I go to Florida I see countless women called "leatherbacks," who are almost purple from the exposure (and who in their demented way think it's "healthy" and "beautiful." Yuck!)

I would never get into a tanning bed. That just screams "stupid" to me.