Summer has always been my least favorite time of year.

I feel compelled to emerge from my lair of cool comfort into the bright outdoors where I'm forced to jump from shady area to shady area in hopes of avoiding looking in the mirror at a lobster red face.

You'd have much better luck finding me outside in the fall, winter, or even spring, where I know that pale is 'in.' My fair skin is one of my favorite aspects about my body, however, along with it comes the great insecurity of not looking like the girls I see at the beach as I scroll through my Instagram feed. I tend to receive some sort of comment from those I meet about my skin and my inability to tan whatsoever. Here are a few that many of us fair skinned beauties have heard from time to time.

1. "Looks like yo got a little sun."

Also known as the more polite way to say, "You are so sunburned!" I have never understood why some people feel the need to point out that I'm burned. I'm reminded of it every time I move, I promise. The best thing that you can do is talk about something else.

2. "You need to get out more."

Just to let everyone know, the time I spend outside has no correlation to how dark I am. In fact, I spend a great deal of my time outdoors (typically with a layer of SPF 50). The closest I get to a tan, is what Lowe's would call 'eggshell cream.'

3. "You're skin is so striking."

I mean, thanks, I guess. This one tends to come from women over the age of 55. Another version, "You're so bright," comes from kids 10 and under.

4. "At least you won't get wrinkles."

Yeah, no, I probably will considering that I laugh every time someone says this to me being utterly serious.

5. "Did you put on sunscreen?"

This question is only appropriate when asked by parents, grandmas, and those I've told to remind me. I know when I need sunscreen and when I don't. Believe it or not, I won't burn on the walk from my car to the building.

6. "Are you albino?"

No, but I wish!

7. "Have you tried a tanning bed?"

Have you seen the episode of Spongebob where he reaches sun bleached? Um, no, I think I'll pass on the tanning bed.

8. "You look like a ghost."

Wow, you're so original.

9. "You're skin is beautiful!"

These are less common than those listed above but remind me that the hours I've spent in my life applying sunscreen have been worth it.

Compliment or careless criticism, I have come to recognize a common thread that runs through what people usually say: I'm unique. The fact that people feel the need to comment on my skin reminds me that I have something different about me that makes me stand out, and for that, I love my skin.