It's not just style-conscious A-types who are spending time grooming themselves these days. The guy next door is buying accessories, treating himself to good food and drink and paying attention to how he looks and feels. So businesses are courting today's responsive man. We found two places devoted to male grooming and -- surprise! -- they carry products a woman would love, too.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SKIN

Neither Graham Bingham nor co-owner Robert Graham had retail experience when they opened Momentum a year ago, which, says Bingham, "was probably the key to our success." Going by instinct as much as anything, they created a gender-neutral environment, avoided manly cliches such as animal skins, and then stocked the 1,200-square-foot Burrard Street shop with products they would buy themselves. Momentum focuses on three areas: shaving, aging and complexion problems. The best-selling item in the shop is Sharps Kid Glove Shave Gel, "which woman like as much as men," says Graham. Rounding out the top three sellers are an anti-wrinkle cream and an eye treatment. "Dynamic Lift is like Botox in a bottle, it takes out the lines in the forehead -- common to men -- and relaxes crow's feet while Rejuvenating Under Eye Gel takes out puffiness, dark circles and brightens the eye area," says Graham. Just for male models and show-business types? No, says Bingham. "The majority of our customers are professional men in the public eye. They have to look sharp but they also put in long hours, which takes its toll." Momentum's client base extends to New York as well as across Canada, because "so many clients travel for business. When in town they come in and stock up," says Bingham. Any surprises? "We expected to start with gay clients, then build to a wider market,' says Graham. "It has proven the opposite." Surprise really went out the window, he adds, when "longshoremen came in for face protection, construction guys for hand products, and Gen-Xers bought badger shaving brushes."

A CORNER OF THEIR OWN

When Doria & Co. Salon and Spa in Surrey opened its barbering corner two years ago, the goal was to "create an environment of creature comforts, including TV, good magazines, shaving memorabilia and antique barber chairs," says Mike Jones, a salon co-owner along with Doria sisters Adriana and Sandra. "There's even an autographed Bobby Orr hockey jersey," "I wanted a section within the salon where my dad would be comfortable coming for a haircut," he adds. " Yet, it was also important to attract boomers who like personal service and young guys into retro style like our hot shave with a straight razor." Male clients are still in a big room with "a bunch of women," says Jones "but attention to them is discreet, so they zone out and read a paper or watch TV sports. Little things like having a glass of beer or wine also puts them at ease." Skin, scalp and neck massages are part of the hot-shave experience, which includes the application of Dermalogica for cleansing and Mont Source shave and after-shave products. This pampering often leads men to try other spa services they may not have considered before. Jones explains that when "a man gets comfortable with this level of consideration, he finds it easier to try deep-tissue massage and other spa treatments." The biggest surprise? "That the older client who has spent his life getting $6 to $12 hair cuts is now spending money on himself." By Kenny Moore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN NOUVELLE SOCIAL ELITE VERSUS THE INTERNATIONAL ELITE

By Maximillien de Lafayette

 

ON HOUSING, HOMES, RESIDENCES AND MANSIONS  

American nouvelle elite: 1-Many of them live in apartments and condominiums. 2-Apartments and condominiums are scattered in different areas of the city. 3-They might buy a previously owned homes. 4-They trade houses. 5-Many look upon the purchase of a home as “investment”. 6-Some build their own mansions.7-Some purchase new residences.

International elite: 1-Very few of them lives in apartments or condominiums, unless, if they have traded or sold their homes to move into the city for business purposes.2-Elite apartments are called apartments and not condominiums.  Big deal! Please don’t call fruit jelly “jelly” in their presence. Marmalade is more appropriate and proper. The same mambo-jumbo jargon applies to condos and apartments. They are categorically located in particular and well-known areas. Usually, old and traditionally established neighborhoods.3-Their homes and mansions were built for their families years ago. This is why and how they inherited those mansions and lived in them for years. Some families (present and past members) lived in the same place for hundreds of years.4- The entire residence has one cache, one style. If the style is Louis XIV, everything is Louis XIV. Very inconvenient, because many of those collected or preserved antiques and furniture pieces are not comfortable or are very delicate to sit on! Bring your own chair with you, just to be on the safe side!5-If the residence has a very austere and traditional ambience, the colors of the walls become dark and somber. Burgundy and dark royal blue colors dominate everywhere, they are the “couleur de preference”, even in the water closets and powder rooms. If the woman is the one who wears pants in the house, then the dark colors would change to pastel and champagne rose colors.6-They don’t trade houses and locations. 7-They always built their own mansions and never purchased a new one, except when they buy or rent ski cabins, beach cabins and bungalows on the Riviera, Biarritz, St. Raphael, Ibiza and Rio de Janeiro.8-They don’t buy their furniture and ornamental items from one single place, store, shops, boutique or gallery. They want to be eclectic and different yet, they want to remain “purely” classic. Try to figure it out!! 9-They never buy art reproductions. But gladly will purchase a fake masterpiece if the husband can sell it to  foreigners, most preferable to Americans who don’t know much about art. 10-Many of their residence are “museums”. Culture, education, arts, history, style, elegance and wealth are every where, in every room, even in the attic.

ON MONEY: American nouvelle elite: 1-Money is extremely important. Bank accounts and credit history are primordial. 2-Wealth is displayed quite often. 3-Money is used in and for big deals, investment, shopping, travels, cruises, charitable causes, children education, stocks, corporate shares and alike.

International elite: 1-Money is secondary. First, comes the historical background of the family. 2-Wealth is there. It is never displayed but everybody knows about it, except the tax people! 3-Money remains in the family for generations.  4-Only business people and merchants use money to invest.  5-They carry a lot of cash wherever they go.  6-They purchase very expensive wallets for their cash and “carte de visit”. In the States, we call  “carte de visit”: Business Cards. In many foreign countries, the word “Business” is replaced by the word “Visit”. Many of those pockets wallets have initials in gold. Sometimes, initials in gold are engraved on dark black Chinese lacquer. Some got to match the initials on their platinum Cartier and golden Dupont cigarette lighters. Very complicated life, isn’t it?? But, I know, you will enjoy it if you can afford it.

ON SHOPPING, FOOD AND TABLE MANNERS

American nouvelle elite: 1-They talk a lot about the expensive things they buy. They brag about it. 2-They love to show off and talk about the costly food and menus they served in their parties. 3-They shop at expensive department stores, boutiques and gourmets specialty stores. 4-They love to be seen at those fancy and ritzy department stores and boutiques. 5- They eat the way they want to eat. Silverware or by hand is fine, as long as it is appropriate for the occasion.

International elite: 1-Talking about food, drink and expensive shopping is considered low class. Even thought, they want you to know which stores and boutiques they bought their stuff from and shop at. 2-Good, clothes and special items are pre-reserved and sent to them by special delivery. 3-Premieres are reserved for them. Meaning, they got to be the first to look at the merchandise. They must be notified before anybody else about the arrival and availability of the best and latest trends, collections and special editions. 4-They never show up at expensive places for public attention. 5- Eating protocol and etiquette are religiously observed. You do not eat with your hands. Even, the tiny piece of olive must be cut or sliced with a knife and brought gently to your mouth with the proper fork. Folks, I am getting hungry! Oh Jesus, what did I say? Folks? No..no..no.. jamais de la vie, this word is nor proper at all. We should never call friends and relatives “folks”. 6-They never make noise when they eat. Meaning, American crunchy food that make “crunchy” noise is never allowed at table or anywhere else. 7-They eat salads at the end of meal. Lunch and dinner always ends with a cup of tea or a fine liqueur. Never call “Cognac” brandy! Unless, you are a private in the British infantry! 8-Sandwiches are allowed if they are “minced and elegantly proportioned and shaped” and served in picnics. Meaning, big Mac and Double Cheese Burger are off limit. 9-They don’t wrap or keep their food, sandwiches, petit four, hors d’oeuvre, casse-croute and snack in plastic, zippers, paper bags  and alike. Instead, delicate napkins, clothes and serviettes are used.  10-They never drink straight up from the bottle and never use their fingers for eating and grabbing food. 11-They never begin to eat at table, before the lady of the house or the host begins to eat first. If children start to eat before their mother and father, they will be lectured. And if they do it again, they will be punished. 12-You are not allowed to make very funny jokes that make you laugh loud and widely open your mouth!

ON ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS

American nouvelle elite: 1-A daughter of a US President can and would marry any man she wants, even if her father and mother might object. 2-Elaborate wedding ceremonies and receptions are quite frequent. However, marriages at small chapels and at government offices before a clerk or a judge of peace are quite common. 3-Couples might rehearse their wedding ceremonies. Others care less. Some chapels in Las Vegas will do the trick. 4-Tuxedos might be required to attend receptions. 5-Gifts might be offered before or during the receptions and at weddings.

International elite: 1-Few will allow their daughters to marry a man who is below their social level. Marrying a military man of a low rank is shameful. A popular saying goes like this: “Borne come un militaire”, meaning stupidly limited like a military man. By the standards of old aristocratic families, military men are considered vulgar because they eat too much chicken. 2-Wedding gifts are always sent before you show up. 3-Marriages ceremonies are big affair. Couples get married in churches, big ones with as many priests as possible. The number of officiating priests reflects your importance in society and your wealth. It is highly desirable and highly recommended to have bishops at your wedding ceremony. The same applies to your funerals. 4-Couples never rehearse publicly. In fact, they never rehearse at all, unless one of them is royalty.

 

Women who are educated, married or heavy are more likely to have low sex drives.