My First Pedicure or One Baby Step at a Time

Today I took a tiny step into the feminine world. I went to a salon as a guy to get a pedicure.

I have problems with my nails, especially the big toes, like a lot of older people (and some not so old...both my sons had nail problems as soccer players in high school). After some injuries several years ago, they have grown in heavy and too thick to cut and not in the right position. I can reach down there and try to trim the small toes, but it's hard to manipulate the tools into the right position to do what I need to.

My smaller toes have trouble also because I have had hammer toes for about 30 years. And I could feel one of those rubbing another toe while I was out for my morning walk yesterday.

I had already discussed doing this with my wife a few weeks ago, but had trouble finding a good time. So, today when I had to take my car in for some emergency work on the window (a regulator broke and it wouldn't stay up and we're hitting the monsoon rain season), I looked for a nail salon near the car mechanic and spotted one in the shopping center right across the street.

So, since I had plenty of time and no place to go, I seized the opportunity and walked in and asked for a pedicure. I explained I had some toe problems. She showed me to a seat. I took off my shoes and socks and rolled up my jeans like I did as a kid going wading and put my feet in to soak.

The water was a little cool at first, but she drained it and filled it with warmer water which felt nice. She did a good job on the smaller toes, but the big toes were too thick for her equipment. She said I will need a specialist to take care of them. Fortunately, I have an appointment with my GP next week and will ask for a referral to the doctor who worked on my son's toes.

I didn't know what to expect, but overall it was a very pleasant experience. When she finished with rubbing lotion on my feet and up around my ankles, I wondered if she wondered about my legs being shaved. But, she didn't say anything.

I have been doing William Holden for a few weeks now (shaving my chest...check the feature on the Bridge Over the River Kwai DVD set), but I wasn't sure if I wanted to do Frank Burns (get my toenails painted). But she didn't offer and by then two ladies had come in and taken seats on either side of me, so I didn't discuss it.

I thanked her, made sure she got a tip for the extra effort, and was especially surprised when I walked away from the salon at how nice my feet felt!

I have worked many jobs involving long hours on my feet for many years, so I am used to their feeling sore. Thus, it was a real surprise and treat for them to feel nice for a change.

So, I think I will twist my wife's arm a little bit (she had declined going in with me previously) and offer her a treat before her birthday next week.

As I said, just a baby step, but a good experience.