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There are things men should never do as a manly man. These are unwritten laws that have been passed down generation to generation since the dawn of time during the caveman era (trust me, I was one class short of a history minor). Just a few of these ancient rules are never ask for directions, never ride a tandem bike, watch anything other than a Lifetime channel program, and never ever get a mani-pedi.
This past weekend, I broke one of these fundamental rules. I visited an establishment that cures damaged hands and feet with my wife. In other words, I got what women adore and call a “mani-pedi” at a nail salon. To be completely honest with you internet strangers, I actually enjoyed it. Before you chastise me, just hear me out.
The summer before I went off to college, I built a garage from the ground up for my dad. It was his way of teaching me how tough work is without a college education. I did the framing, the drywall, the electric work, insulation, and even the roofing during a 110-degree summer (if you’ve done roof work, you know how much hotter it is on top of that black surface). That job, mixed with four years of college soccer and all the weight lifting sessions associated with that, left my hands forever cracked, peeling and dry. Three years removed from college and into the world of finance, I know how awful it is to shake hands so rough you’d assume they enjoy high-fiving a cheese grater in their downtime. Sitting in my massage chair, I realized that a manicure is about as important as shined shoes. Successful people notice the smallest of details and well-taken care of hands might be the difference maker.
Two decades of sports will do some ungodly things to your feet. To give you perspective, I once stepped on a thumbtack… I didn’t feel a thing AND I was sober. If you’ve got inches of calluses, a bunion or if your toenails look like a decade old Frito chip, it’s time for a pedicure, my friend. If you’re concerned about what the squad will think, tell the person to go easy and leave some of the roughness.
The overall feel of both manicures and pedicures are fantastic and completely underrated. During the session, getting a hot towel on your hands and feet is a real game changer. Adding to that relaxing sensation, most will give you a lengthy leg/arm massage while you sit in a massage chair. The feeling afterwards may actually be worth the tab all by itself. The stress is gone and your legs feel light, which could be attributed to the five pounds of dead skin that was scraped off my feet. If you have really rough hands, your sense of touch is intensified. You can’t beat that, guys.
Say what you will and judge me all you want, but I fully enjoyed my time at Pretty Nail (either the owner didn’t know singular/plural words or apparently just one nail will be pretty). The wine may have been cheap Barefoot merlot and I was being up sold by someone I could hardly understand, but I felt like royalty. I regret nothing.
Next week, join me as I experience the romanticism of riding a tandem bike. Kidding. .
Image via Shutterstock
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@Trush21
@Trush21
Trush21
I hear where you’re coming from, and as an ex athlete myself, I understand the damage. I will say that a lot of the grossness associated with guy’s feet could be avoided by regularly clipping nails and washing feet in the shower though.
I walk barefoot everywhere. That 40 days out in the desert wasn’t good to my footsies. That lady with the alabaster jar of perfume still gives me a pedicure every three months. Nice woman.
I never got a manicure but was dragged by the fiance once and got a pedicure. It was actually enjoyable (I run a lot), but it was so awkward I highly doubt I will do it again. At least anytime soon. They did serve free alcohol though, that was a plus.
It can be awkward. That’s why I try to look very interested in what’s on TV, even if it’s a commercial. I think the awkwardness would go away with enough visits.
Keep hating if you’re not interested in getting your shit pampered. I’m gunna feel like I’m walking on a cloud after Yi finishes rubbing down my calves. Hell I didn’t even know what a cuticle was until I gave it a shot.
Your loss, man.
Never gotten either, but I’ve been saying for years that I should give a pedicure a try. Nothing worse than nasty feet and hard calluses.
Got my first one on Friday. Girlfriend dragged me along. Thought of it more of a massage for my calves and feet vs a pedicure. Will be going monthly with her from here on out.
Just no
Everything is better, or can become progressively better, with complimentary booze.
You do you man. Personally, there’s a lot of other things I’d rather spend my time and money on than a mani-pedi. Also, while in some professions “well taken care of hands might be the difference maker”, there’s also some professions where mechanics, welders, pipe fitters, electricians, etc. won’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth if you hands look like they’d blister just touching a wrench. You get squarely placed in the “I don’t know how to do your job, but my book says you’re doing it wrong” category. To each their own.
I’m a building engineer and that’s precisely why I don’t get manicures. It’s actually advantageous to have rough hands.
I 100% go for manly man, but I can’t judge a guy for getting a pedicure. It just feels amazing. Why not share the wealth with everyone? As long as you’re not getting polish, it’s all good
No polish. No flimsy, fluorescent flip flops. That’s where I draw the line.
It’s not 1947. If someone judges you for getting a manicure or pedicure, that’s their stupid problem. I’ve never gotten a manicure, but if you’re on your feet a lot I can’t recommend a pedicure enough. Plus, it’s about to be pool season, no one wants to see your yellow ass toenails and concrete heels.
We could use a little more 1947 in today’s society
I mean I guess it depends on which parts of 1947 we’re talking about.