WHAT I TRIED A signature manicure and pedicure at Man/Age spa in Marina Mall.
WHAT I EXPECTED I didn't really know what to expect. While I know that most women disappear for days on end in nail salons, I always assumed this was an excuse to do something else. How can it take more than two minutes to snip your nails? The only man I have ever met who had manicures was a spy. At least I think he was a spy. He claimed to be a journalist and spoke 10 languages, but everything he ever wrote was unreadable. Still, by that token, half the office could be spies.
WHAT HAPPENED It's very dark at Man/Age. I assumed this was to hide the shame of being seen in such a place, so it was a bit of a shock when the first person I saw was a colleague. Perhaps he's also a spy.
After exchanging codes and letters of transit, I was taken down a dark corridor by a nice fellow named James into a room. My hands and feet were put in tepid water. Then James cut and filed and soaped and lathered away to his heart's content, while I watched the third round of the Puerto Rican Open on Fox television. Now I understand why women go into these nail salons. When he had run out of things to cut he scrubbed different emollients into my arms, then gave me a short arm and leg massage.
THE VERDICT A better way to spend an hour cannot be imagined. I came out feeling so rejuvenated that I almost headed into the children's play area opposite. At idle moments during the day I gaze at the sheer half-moon perfection of my nails and drum on the desk in delight. If I do it again I might wait until the fourth round of the Puerto Rican Open, so I could find out whether Flap, Todd or Skip won.
Rupert Wright
Dh270, Signature Manicure and Pedicure,
Man/Age Spa, Marina Mall branch, 02 681 8837
