Grooming: The Dreaded Art

In fact, not just dreaded, but forgotten.

When I was in boarding school, we would make fun of our teachers for making us show them our nails and teeth every morning before breakfast. Not only was it embarrassing, but we also thought it was an absolute waste of time as our stomachs grumbled for morning food. Years later, I can say that perhaps, the teachers weren’t so wrong in getting us into the habit of keeping clean nails and fresh breaths. All I have to do is walk into a regular subway station, packed with people who haven’t brushed for the day, to realize that.

These days, grooming is a word associated with keeping pets clean. But it saddens me that people have failed to realize how important it is to keep themselves clean too. For the love of personal hygiene and societal interaction, why do people not understand the importance of grooming?

First, it isn’t taught in schools anymore, and most homes are not keen on teaching their children either. We are taught to keep the environment clean, but what of ourselves? I am no advocate for planet pollution, but the sooner we realize that unkempt people produce an unkempt environment, the better.

Second, people may know that grooming is important, but most claim they have no time or resources for it.

And that, friends, is what I’m here to debunk. One cannot be attractive without cultivating a grooming habit. And if you ask me, grooming is what sets us apart from previous civilizations before us. In other words, I suppose we now live in a society where being unkempt is increasingly socially advantageous: The one with the most stinking armpit is the coolest in the room. It was not so in the past, and for very good reasons. So, why has personal shabbiness become a trend, and how do we not follow the trend?

What is grooming?

In the human sense of the word, grooming is nothing but the things you do to keep yourself clean and presentable. This might sound boring. Mundane. Common sense. But friends, I’m afraid the sense is not as common anymore. As easy as it sounds, grooming requires a lot of thought and consideration, and is in itself, an art.

From my observations, most people consider themselves groomed because they take regular showers and spray on deodorant. However, grooming encompasses a lot more. What about your hair? Face? Clothes? And dare I say, behaviour?

People underestimate just how much difference it can make to their esteem and impression by investing a little bit more time and effort in their grooming. They wonder how they can go about looking like a million-dollar deal, and they waste money on designers, whereas, cheap grooming tactics can raise their appearance past sky limits. I often look at the English royals and recognize how neat and clean they always look. Polished, you would say. It isn’t the expense of their clothes, it’s their general appearance. Their attire is neat, well suited to their figure, and color coordinated; their hair is perfectly brushed and often tucked under a clean hat; their smile is bright and fresh; their tone of voice adds value to their aura… I could go on.

Anyone can do all of the above and more to improve their appearance. You don’t need a high-profile social status, money, or expensive clothing, to look priceless.

Why groom?

Most people will say: ‘I know I’m clean. I don’t need to do all the extra stuff that wastes my time in the morning. Besides, my job/school/hobby doesn’t demand this type of stress, so why should I go through the trouble? Am I an air hostess, or what?’ You may not be an air hostess, but air hostesses are not the only people who interact with society every day. Air hostesses are not the only ones who get to have a sense of self-perception. I have never understood why polished appearance has been left to ‘people who just have to look it’. Don’t we all have a duty to be hospitable to our neighbor by exhibiting good countenance?

And if you don’t care a bit about your neighbor, consider that grooming elevates your personality. For the time it ‘wastes’, it increases your confidence. Well-dressed people can walk with their heads high, because of the way their habits make them feel. Imagine waking up, taking a bath, brushing your teeth and hair, ironing your clean picked-out clothes, dressing yourself in them, putting on some jewelry, light makeup, and perfume. How would you interact with the world once you stepped outside your doors? Differently, I hope.

Despite the usual rainy weather in Ireland, it’s always been a glorious feeling stepping out for the day, and I owe all of that to the things I do previously while getting ready.

More so, as a Christian, I learn every day that my body is a temple of God. My body is meant to be cherished as a gift. And as we are supposed to be stewards of the earth, I believe that we should be stewards of our bodies too. Our bodies do come from the earth. So, for the sake of praising God, I believe I should present myself with the dignity that I have been made.

That is a daily truth for me. And I hope that truth carries you further down this topic to understand the easy basics of the art of grooming, and the fruits you shall indeed reap from it.

This is the introduction to the second linked article, Grooming: Practical Guidelines.

Are you convinced that you should practice more grooming habits? Take the leap and jump to the next article. I’ll see you there!