CRASH COURSE Macho men are taught to pamper themselves

Men learn that a man can still be a man while interested in skin care and home decor.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
It's an encouraging sign of our changing times when the stereotypically straightest macho men on the planet embrace five gay men who invade their homes for a crash-course in home decor, fashion and general hygiene.
Blame it on the Fab Five: Kyan Douglas, grooming guru ("There's no excuse for nose hair. Ever!"); Ted Allen, food and wine connoisseur; Carson Kressley, fashion savant; Jai Rodriguez, culture pro; and Thom Filicia, interior designer. This dynamic group of fearless merry men featured on Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" drops in on manly men in the New York area to assist with anything from the dreaded first meeting of the girlfriend's parents to creating a perfect evening in which to propose marriage.
As many men are finally figuring out, it's really quite OK to know that black shoes don't go with a brown belt. Cherish that. Rejoice in the knowledge that you know how to "tjuz" (pronounced: "shoosh," meaning "to tastefully groom").
More men are realizing that ragged cuticles are not sexy. Facials really do feel good. They're finding that a man can be a man while caring about skin care and furnishing his apartment with chairs of other than the beanbag variety.
Men only
Brian Washburn, director of Hairdressing and Education for the Robert Andrew Salon in Gambrills, Md., said his salon has a "men's only spa" where men can be men while pampering themselves.
"It is more masculine: leather chairs, old-world barber stations, TV with sports and CNN," Washburn said. "They opt for services such as body massage, reflexology, and our exclusive 'sports facial.' The new trend seems to be pedicures. They love them."
With their specific men's hair and skin care, along with educating the male consumer, retail sales have jumped about 25 percent in those areas, he said.
Massages, pedicures and facials are the more popular things men come to Evergreen Spa and Salon in Anderson, S.C., for, according to owner Myrna Ryter.
Better feeling
"I think we're getting more and more every day. The numbers have definitely changed since we came into our new building four years ago," Ryter said. "Men are needing these services more, not only to look their best but to de-stress and feel better. I think more and more are accepting it. Before they'd say these services were only for women but once they try it, they're hooked. I hear it all the time. (Spa treatments) are the gifts they always want."
Bottom line: A man doesn't need to play for the other team, so to speak, to take pride in his physical appearance. By all means, you can be macho and manly as can be while having your nails buffed and your back waxed. Get in touch with that feminine side. It's in there somewhere and you know it. Embrace it. Let it shine for all to see. You're all man and you're worth it.
But just to make yourself feel better, go ahead and leave the toilet seat up every now and then when no one's looking.