Pampering

[ailbhe]

What does the word mean to you? To me, it implies pleasure.

Not, say, ritual humiliation, which is my main experience of "beauty treatments."

A hot bath and a big chocolate cake and a really good Wodehouse or Heyer - that's pampering myself. Having to pick tickly bits of hair out of my jumper for days, or spending two books-worth of money on nailpolish applied by someone who can't believe I don't push my cuticles back? Not pampering.

Comments

[supermouse.livejournal.com]

For me, it's having Pol rub my feet, or what I do for myself when I settle down with a really nice meal I cooked perhaps days ago. Or a freshly made bed with the cover on. Occasionally it's a cold day, a warm fire, a duvet, warm socks and a cuppa. And a book, radio or television. I love television, it's very pampering when you're not up to much.

It has positive connotations, with a sort of implied warning that it's meant to be occasional, and you'll get too soft if you have too much of it.

I know some women really do feel pampered when they go for spa and beauty treatments. I've had a facial that genuinely left me feeling pampered, too. On the other hand, generally speaking I spend the money on extra-nice food instead.