[YmolafBp]

To answer the original question; the only thin about skin color I care about is that they aren't extremely pale (i.e. looks like a ghost). I also agree with paul about people who stay out in the sun or go to tanning salons to become a darker color isn't healthy so natural skin color is preferred. I seem to be attracted to face types and hair color more than anything else. I prefer darker hair (black hair and grey or green eyes is perfect ) and I have no interest in red hair (not sure why, best guess is that it detracts from the facial features ).

I have read a hypothesis put forward with some evidence supporting it that our bodies choices for what is attractive (through looks and pheromones) naturally tries to avoid too close of a genetic match to protect from inbreeding and genetic deformities. That might explain some of it away, though I think a large part of why foreigners pick the darker skinned women is culturally based as others have guessed.

Paul: Xenophobia is fear of other cultures. I don't think any of us here would be xenophobic as we're all open. However I do wonder if you aren't ethnocentric in your outlook. If you are, then you need to put down the 'White Man's Burden' of the past. It was a bad idea then and it's a bad idea now and has only caused misery to countless people and culture.