Comment by axiom

I'm sorry to say, but it really seems like many people here are talking right out of their ass.

For people who actually lived in India for an extended period of time:

1. what is the driving force behind this market? is it purely aesthetics, like tanning creams, or does race play into it?

2. how large is the phenomenon? is it something common that many people think about or just a fringe market?

3. how is it viewed by the locals? are people who do this kind of thing ashamed to admit it?