Spa Ettiquette.
It was a very busy day. Spent most of my morning cleaning the apartment; which I haven't been able to properly do in a few weeks. The I headed out to check the shops before my facial at 2pm. I picked up a new sweater and blouse, one which was on sale. (Yay!)
So it was a busy but enjoyable start to my day.
Then I got to the spa.
I really need to refrain from going to the spa on Saturday afternoons. It's too packed with "one-time" spa-goers who don't know the un-written etiquette that more frequent spa-goers would know. Etiquette that includes:
Take one towel, one robe and one pair of flip flops. The place is packed with other people who would like to have these things available to them too. When you take extras, replacements may not come as quickly as needed. And no one wants to walk around naked. (Plus management would probably frown upon it.)
Showers should really be limited to five minutes. If you're on there longer than that, I begin to wonder exactly what you're doing in there.
Don't get mad if I'm already in the steam room when you open the door to come in. (Seriously, you don't need to breathe huffily to let me know you are annoyed I am already in there.) I know many people have a "phobia" about using the steam room with other people in it... Some people are uncomfortable sitting in a hot room more or less naked with other people. But it's a spa. That's what people go there to do. And the steam room is plenty big enough for at least five people to relax.
Show up on time for your freakin' appointment. When you show up late, the specialists run late. And they end up being late for all their clients after you. And it makes them look bad. So just be on time, please.
The "Zen Garden" waiting area is really a mediation room. Meditation = "Shut the hell up and quit your gossiping." I don't want to hear you tell your Aunt on your "girls afternoon out" about your Dad's new girlfriend trying to be "very best buds" with you and annoying you with questions about your life. (Your Dad's girlfriend actually sounds nice; and like she's trying to take a genuine interest in you. Be grateful she acknowledges your existence. Some women wouldn't.) All anyone wants to do in the Zen Garden is relax before their treatment. This means "quiet."
Pick up after yourself. This one seems like it would be a basic thing anyone would know to do. But surprisingly, the green spa-goer doesn't seem to understand that just because you are paying for an afternoon of treatments and luxury, it does not include maid service. There are marked areas for you to leave your dirty towels and robes. Please use them. Do not leave them lying on the locker room ottomans. I would like to sit down on that while changing. And I don't want to sit on your soiled linens.
Other than that, the spa treatment was quite nice; as it usually is at Exhale. The Winter cold has been wreaking havoc on my skin though. My entire body is dry and itchy... Especially on my face. And despite drinking quite a bit of water lately (about a liter and a half a day), my skin is still dry. My facialist (the trusty "Galina") said I am obviously getting plenty of hydration form the inside out; but I should just apply more cream to my body to combat the cold effects.
I will probably go back in six weeks for another facial. And of course, I do have acupuncture there this coming Monday night. But week nights (and days) are typically filled with experienced spa-goers. So I am sure it will be less frustrating. And I won't have to take the last towel available on the shelf to steam and shower with.
So it was a busy but enjoyable start to my day.
Then I got to the spa.
I really need to refrain from going to the spa on Saturday afternoons. It's too packed with "one-time" spa-goers who don't know the un-written etiquette that more frequent spa-goers would know. Etiquette that includes:
Take one towel, one robe and one pair of flip flops. The place is packed with other people who would like to have these things available to them too. When you take extras, replacements may not come as quickly as needed. And no one wants to walk around naked. (Plus management would probably frown upon it.)
Showers should really be limited to five minutes. If you're on there longer than that, I begin to wonder exactly what you're doing in there.
Don't get mad if I'm already in the steam room when you open the door to come in. (Seriously, you don't need to breathe huffily to let me know you are annoyed I am already in there.) I know many people have a "phobia" about using the steam room with other people in it... Some people are uncomfortable sitting in a hot room more or less naked with other people. But it's a spa. That's what people go there to do. And the steam room is plenty big enough for at least five people to relax.
Show up on time for your freakin' appointment. When you show up late, the specialists run late. And they end up being late for all their clients after you. And it makes them look bad. So just be on time, please.
The "Zen Garden" waiting area is really a mediation room. Meditation = "Shut the hell up and quit your gossiping." I don't want to hear you tell your Aunt on your "girls afternoon out" about your Dad's new girlfriend trying to be "very best buds" with you and annoying you with questions about your life. (Your Dad's girlfriend actually sounds nice; and like she's trying to take a genuine interest in you. Be grateful she acknowledges your existence. Some women wouldn't.) All anyone wants to do in the Zen Garden is relax before their treatment. This means "quiet."
Pick up after yourself. This one seems like it would be a basic thing anyone would know to do. But surprisingly, the green spa-goer doesn't seem to understand that just because you are paying for an afternoon of treatments and luxury, it does not include maid service. There are marked areas for you to leave your dirty towels and robes. Please use them. Do not leave them lying on the locker room ottomans. I would like to sit down on that while changing. And I don't want to sit on your soiled linens.
Other than that, the spa treatment was quite nice; as it usually is at Exhale. The Winter cold has been wreaking havoc on my skin though. My entire body is dry and itchy... Especially on my face. And despite drinking quite a bit of water lately (about a liter and a half a day), my skin is still dry. My facialist (the trusty "Galina") said I am obviously getting plenty of hydration form the inside out; but I should just apply more cream to my body to combat the cold effects.
I will probably go back in six weeks for another facial. And of course, I do have acupuncture there this coming Monday night. But week nights (and days) are typically filled with experienced spa-goers. So I am sure it will be less frustrating. And I won't have to take the last towel available on the shelf to steam and shower with.
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