Thread: Pet Peeves

Gentlemen,

I am taking a short break from work, so I thought I would spend a few minutes to reflect on my pet peeves in the world of shaving:

Dull razor
Soap that hints at lather
Greasy pre-shave
Choking aftershave or cologne
Mach 37 commando next to me in the locker room who knocks off the face scraping in 32 seconds
And . . .
Twitter lingo.

On this last one, it took me forever to figure out what WTG, XTG AND ATG meant. Just as long with SRD — oh, that's what it means. I don't even want to think about LOL, RAD, BUT, EDC, LMAO, and other linguistic concoctions.

RGDS,

OBIE

I have recently joined a gym, and now shave there regularly. There will be a constant stream of 4-5 Mach Commandoes, as you so eloquently point out, that come and go while I take my time and enjoy my shave.


Step 1: Guy pulls up to the sink.
*pop* the top comes off the can o goo
*pshhhhshhhhhhhshhhhhip* handfull of goo, which then gets smeared on the guys face.
*clackity-clack* the lovely sound of the platic handled Mach being fished out of the guy's dopp kit
*shhhhhhhip, shhhhhhhhhip, shhhhhhhhhhip, shhhhhhhhhip* The sound of the Mach being run across the guys face.
*splish-splash* wash up, and he's outta there.

If I've got a pet peeve the #1 is people who are otherwise wonderful folks but when wrapping a razor or whatever item for shipping they wrap tape around the bubble wrap.

They do this to an extent that risks harming the item in attempting to get through the tape as well as making something that should be easy difficult.

I use rubber bands and they not only hold the bubble wrap securely but are easy to remove.

My dear Seraphim,

I love the way you set the gym scene, with sound effects and all. Perfect. You describe it exactly the way I observe it at the gym where I work out on weekdays and where I shave like a gentleman. It's a parade of the plastic Machs and that vile foamy substance spitting out from that unsightly waste can.

Regards,

Obie

Seraphim,

You forgot to add the *blish* of about 1/4 cup of AXE at the end (some of which gets on you, where it burns like holy water)

Hi, Obie,

Originally Posted by Obie

On this last one, it took me forever to figure out what WTG, XTG AND ATG meant. Just as long with SRD — oh, that's what it means. I don't even want to think about LOL, RAD, BUT, EDC, LMAO, and other linguistic concoctions.

Most of the former abbreviations are explained in Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Wiki. The latter are, well, here to stay. I do not like them, either.

Regards,
Robin

Anytime I get the chance to take 15 minutes plus to shave in front of someone who can get through it in 2, I just remember something my dad told me once. You cannot save time, you can only spend it. Spend it wisely doing things that make you feel good.

So, you guys who shave at the gym.....what reaction do you get when using a straight? I've only shaved once in public, at the fishing club I belong to (Spruce Creek Rod and Gun for the flyfishers out there). There was not much interest from the two guys who saw...other than an "oh you shave the old fashion way."

On topic: My peeves...
a razor that I just cant sharpen when as I thought I was getting good on the hones;
a rough shave with nicks and irritation;
badger bristles in the soap or anywhere other than in the brush;
a razor that closes against or on the scales;
dropping the razor when shaiving nekid (hasn't happened);
my wife taking interest in the Mastro Livi I bought on the qt...and knowing I can't pass it off as another antique I bought for $20;
glycerin drooling from the pump dispenser on the counter top;
lack of space for the soaps and scents that have reproduced in my cabinet;
my lack of knowledge of the pedigree and symbols on those mysterious and expensive japanes stones;
my urge to acquire;
the lack of thanks I get for my spectacular and helpful posts that collapse into pedestrian drivel upon re-reading.

Best to all.....

Originally Posted by jleeg

So, you guys who shave at the gym.....what reaction do you get when using a straight? I've only shaved once in public, at the fishing club I belong to (Spruce Creek Rod and Gun for the flyfishers out there). There was not much interest from the two guys who saw...other than an "oh you shave the old fashion way."

On topic: My peeves...
a razor that I just cant sharpen when as I thought I was getting good on the hones;
a rough shave with nicks and irritation;
badger bristles in the soap or anywhere other than in the brush;
a razor that closes against or on the scales;
dropping the razor when shaiving nekid (hasn't happened);
my wife taking interest in the Mastro Livi I bought on the qt...and knowing I can't pass it off as another antique I bought for $20;
glycerin drooling from the pump dispenser on the counter top;
lack of space for the soaps and scents that have reproduced in my cabinet;
my lack of knowledge of the pedigree and symbols on those mysterious and expensive japanes stones;
my urge to acquire;
the lack of thanks I get for my spectacular and helpful posts that collapse into pedestrian drivel upon re-reading.

Best to all.....

Pedestrian drivel is what I log in to read!


At the gym, I sometimes get some looks of interest, more often than not the shave zombies don't seem to notice.

One guy asked me about it. Said he hadn't seen a straight razor since back in the 60's when some guy pulled one out of his sock in a dark alley and demanded the guy's wallet.

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your thoughts.

Seraphim: You indeed are a playwright. Good show describing the locker room scene.

JimmyHAD: I like your practicality. You are right. For heavens, why do people do the things they do? Is it not a bit redundant to wrap tape around bubble wrap? I suppose one can forgive a tiny piece of tape just to mend the ends, but wrapping a railroad track around the innocent bubble wrap . . . ?

Captainboog: Your father, sir, is indeed right about time spent wisely rather than wasted.

JLeeg: I have shaved as a gentlemen for so long that men in the locker room at the health club are used to me by now. In fact, I have converted a couple to brush and soap, but managed to reach only double edge razors. That, of course, is better than nothing. And, yes, someone said to me today, "Oh, you shave like the old school. I'd cut myself to pieces." I said, "Anytime you're ready, I'll be happy to train you. It's a question of whether you want to join the ranks of gentlemen shavers." There may be hope.

Robin: Thanks for the list of acronyms and abbreviations. I had no idea there were so many of them. I'll keep the list handy to help me understand what some of the gentlemen on this learned forum are talking about.

Regards,

Obie