Who really put the “man” in manicure?

On a recent business trip to NY, I checked into the Westin Times Square, where the staff took pity on my Hunchback of Notre Lowbudget-airtraveldom posture and upgraded me to a spa suite (ahhh). Scanning the magazines deliberately fanned out on the nightstand, I noticed something peculiar — they were ALL men’s magazines! “GASP! EXSQUEEZE ME? Wasn’t it some 20 years ago that working women (and their linebacker Norma Kamali shoulder pads) gained entry into executive clubs? DISBELIEF….” My tirade quickly came to an end once I found the remote control to the massage chair. OK, so who needs reading material when you can get a 10-points massage from a piece of furniture? Can you say LA-Z-Boy massaging recliner with drink holder? NASCAR will never know what hit ‘em!

Btw, best spas west of the Rockies: La Costa; Burke Williams; beach resorts in Cabo (under palapas enveloped by breezes from the Sea of Cortes)

Note: I’m supposed to be writing a press release but instead I’m posting this comment, daydreaming about day spas and my next massage (thanks, Peter).

“Men often prefer treatments with limited touching, people in the business say. Hot stone or Thai massage, which involves wearing loose fitted clothing rather than being nude, are popular. And men generally don’t like other men to massage them.”

The female reporter who wrote that is obviously too young to know anything about the great “spa” services at the old Concord and other Catskills resorts — or even the local Grand Street Boys.