Why Men Need You To Groom Them

by Jonathan Bender

Kim, a songwriter in New York City, remembers that her college boyfriend decided to shave off his beard shortly after they started dating.

When he did, “I commented that [without it] he looked really young and a little chubbier,” says Kim.

She thought it was an innocent aside; he decided not to let a razor touch his face for the duration of their 18-month relationship. And, in truth, Kim had kind of liked his clean-shaven look.

Alas, keep in mind, even if we’re making an attempt to groom ourselves, most men are a work-in-progress, with approximately the same learning curve as a monkey with a can opener. Maybe slower.

Tracy, an editor in San Francisco, was shocked when she walked in on her husband rubbing Vaseline on the soles of his feet.