Tales from the nail salon..

So I got a manicure yesterday. Not that interesting, right? Well, let's mix it up a bit:

I usually get my nails done by Hiep, an adorable little Vietnamese woman who always makes comments about my "beautiful hands" and about how much she loves my jewelry. Well, today when I went in, it was getting close to closing time and, unfortunately for all of the poor manicurists, three women came in wanting pedicures as soon as I sat down with Hiep. She brought over a soak-bowl and had me put my hands in it, but kept looking nervously at the women waiting at the front of the salon. Finally, she turned back to me and said that she was going to start their pedicures and that she would have someone else come and finish my manicure (of course, apologizing profusely all the while; I guess she thought I'd be upset). I cheerfully complied, and she went off to do her thing while I waited for my "new" maicurist to come to my station.

So, then Jimmy sat down in front of me. Jimmy is one of the most attractive asian men I've ever seen. He pulls my hands gently out of the soak bowl and towels them off, then taking a moment to hold them in his and look into my eyes: "What's your name, dear?" he asked. All I could do was sputter something back "ehh.. Rayna."

"Rayna? That's a pretty name. I'm Jimmy." He proceeded to start working on my nails. "G-good to meet you.." is all I managed to squeek out before I felt my cheeks flush. He continued to carry out the task set before him, putting me at ease with questions about school, work, etc, occasionally making a comment about my beautiful hands (what is it with manicurists liking my hands, anyway?) or carefully inserting a different compliment. I was surprised at how quickly, but thoroughly, he worked. And he was so gentle, I felt like I was going to melt. Most manicurists, including Hiep, will work on one hand while the other rests on the cushion at the edge of the table. Jimmy would make sure to carefully rest my free hand on his forearm while he worked on the other.

And then when it came time for the massage (yes, they massage your hands and forearms), there was obviously a phenomenal difference. His hands were so much stronger than Hiep's or any of the other ladies' in the salon. At this point, I was so relaxed that I almost felt like I was going to fall asleep. But damned if my pulse didn't quicken a bit every time he instructed me to do something; He would always add an affectionate term onto the end like "dear" or "love." When he was finally finished and stood up to go assist Thuy with the pedicures, he walked around behind me put his hands on my shoulder and leaned in close to my ear to half-whisper: "I'm going to go take care of these ladies, now. I'll send Soo over in just a couple of minutes to put a top-coat on those nails, okay love?" I just nodded--I didn't even want to attempt to say anything.

So, anyway.. I've rambled. That was my 30-minute love affair with Jimmy the manicurist. I don't know why he acted that way with me; He didn't with the other women he worked on (while I was there, at least). If I were staying in the area, I would probably start scheduling every other appointment with him. It was such a relaxing experience.

... that reminds me that I'm going to have to find a new nail salon in Mass. Oh, woe is me!