Small things that matter much

Standard People
A year ago I began writing for this column.  Initially I wrote about grooming and etiquette but eventually my column evolved to cover more than just grooming and etiquette, which is probably a true reflection of my personality. The monotony of doing the same thing over and over again frustrates me so occasionally I deviate; I do it in a structured manner though. Now my column looks at grooming, etiquette, fashion, finance and career tips. 

I decided to write this column because I saw a gap in our society concerning grooming and etiquette and thought it better to address several people at the same time through a newspaper column instead of addressing one individual at a time. That route would have taken too long for me to bring about reformation on a large scale. Since I started writing, people have come to me to ask if I could address their issues in the column. Some I had already addressed but since every now and then I have new readers, I think I can highlight some of the issues I touched on many months ago. 

Men’s socksMen, at no point is it ever all right for you to match your shirt with your socks, as tempting as it may be. Ladies  may be forgiven for matching a purple blouse and purple shoes while men may not. You must not buy red socks to match your red shirt. It just looks awful.  Remember this simple rule of thumb: Your socks should match your shoes or your trousers. Remember this when buying your next pairs of socks. Just because you have that weird colour of socks in your drawer does not mean you should wear them.

Men’s handsLong finger nails are not meant for men, especially your baby finger nail. That is just beyond revolting. A nail clipper is a worthwhile investment as would hand lotion bearing in mind that these are the same hands you will use to hold your woman; it would not kill if they felt tender. We appreciate that you are hard working but a little tenderness would not be a bad thing.

Ladies’ underwearNowadays our underwear comes in a variety of fascinating colours and designs that are tempting to show off. however, underwear is just that, underwear.   The only people who should be privy to seeing it are yourself and your husband. Even if it matches your outfit perfectly, we would rather not see it. A little mystery never killed anyone. If you know your trousers or shorts have a tendency of sliding down, wear a belt and keep that underwear under there.

Body odourThis is not gender specific and can affect anyone. It is not incurable and you do not have to be bound by it. It is medically known as bromhidrosis. The sweat we produce is generally odourless until it is broken down by bacteria which then produces an unpleasant smell. Men tend to sweat more than women hence are more prone to body odour. Body odour can be managed by maintaining good hygiene habits such as bathing with an anti-bacterial soap and keeping your skin as dry as possible.Clothes should be washed often with a bacteria fighting detergent. If these measures do not cause the odour to subside then you need to visit your medical practitioner because sometimes it may be as a result of diabetes or a liver disease.I would appreciate you feedback in order to better the column. Email: [email protected]