Beauty and the Brit: cosmetic culture
Amber Davies
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Forum
Still, I come from a country where getting a manicure invites suggestions that you have more money than sense and are an all-round inconsequential person. It took me a while, therefore, to adjust to and hook into America's pamper-culture.
Skulking into a beauty parlour as though it was an X-rated bookshop, I sheepishly browsed through the nail polishes for ten minutes before summoning the courage to blurt out a mumbled request for a treatment. Similarly to my past trauma with coffee orders (which you will be happy to hear I have now conquered), I was a little hazy regarding the correct approach. It felt like I was buying a dirty magazine. Don't get me wrong - I've had manicures before and liked them, but another general British tradition is the "cold" nature of beauty shops. Oddly, a customer in England will often feel that even the staff thinks they're "going a bit far," indulging in the fripperies on offer. As you can imagine, and almost certainly notice in the States as well, this attitude is far harsher on male customers. "Metrosexual" is one of the milder jibes elicited by a man who sets foot in any kind of cosmetic establishment.
Accordingly, as I entered this forbidden-feeling Aladdin's-cave of cosmetic miracles, I automatically braced myself for the snooty attitudes and stares of cool assessment that I'd expect from beauty staff in England. I was pleasantly proven wrong once again, welcomed with friendly kindness by assistants who swiftly eased my nerves. I proceeded to have a complete (manicure-centered) blast - American, not French.
As I've mentioned, English people can be pretty vicious in their assessment of American culture. I believe this is because most English people have never experienced an American beauty treatment. It is a truly joyous thing! The emphasis seems usually to be placed upon making the customer comfortable and happier with himself or herself when they leave. What's not to love about that aim? It definitely worked for me. I could get used to this self-love thing, frivolous or not.
One caveat I would attach to my waxing lyrical (haha - my puns are getting truly painful) about beauty treatments in the U.S., though: Wal-Mart. Don't do it. As a savvier customer might have surmised before entering a branch of the merchandising behemoth, it is probably unwise to experience any "luxury" spa pedicure seated opposite the produce aisle.
Skulking into a beauty parlour as though it was an X-rated bookshop, I sheepishly browsed through the nail polishes for ten minutes before summoning the courage to blurt out a mumbled request for a treatment. Similarly to my past trauma with coffee orders (which you will be happy to hear I have now conquered), I was a little hazy regarding the correct approach. It felt like I was buying a dirty magazine. Don't get me wrong - I've had manicures before and liked them, but another general British tradition is the "cold" nature of beauty shops. Oddly, a customer in England will often feel that even the staff thinks they're "going a bit far," indulging in the fripperies on offer. As you can imagine, and almost certainly notice in the States as well, this attitude is far harsher on male customers. "Metrosexual" is one of the milder jibes elicited by a man who sets foot in any kind of cosmetic establishment.
Accordingly, as I entered this forbidden-feeling Aladdin's-cave of cosmetic miracles, I automatically braced myself for the snooty attitudes and stares of cool assessment that I'd expect from beauty staff in England. I was pleasantly proven wrong once again, welcomed with friendly kindness by assistants who swiftly eased my nerves. I proceeded to have a complete (manicure-centered) blast - American, not French.
As I've mentioned, English people can be pretty vicious in their assessment of American culture. I believe this is because most English people have never experienced an American beauty treatment. It is a truly joyous thing! The emphasis seems usually to be placed upon making the customer comfortable and happier with himself or herself when they leave. What's not to love about that aim? It definitely worked for me. I could get used to this self-love thing, frivolous or not.
One caveat I would attach to my waxing lyrical (haha - my puns are getting truly painful) about beauty treatments in the U.S., though: Wal-Mart. Don't do it. As a savvier customer might have surmised before entering a branch of the merchandising behemoth, it is probably unwise to experience any "luxury" spa pedicure seated opposite the produce aisle.
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