Being pampered always comes at a price
I'm not a high maintenance girl, cause high maintenance costs money. I sometimes watch those videos on YouTube of girls showing off their monthly "self-care routines" and it's honestly insane. Although I have to admit, there is a part of me that would like a more polished, less "casual" appearance, I just struggle with justifying the price.
And then I came to Thailand.
One of the best things about that country is how cheap everything is (at least compared to my own country). Two people can eat a huge meal on $20, a taxi trip is $5, and a latte is nostalgically $3 again. Massage parlors and spas are everywhere. I don't think I've ever stepped foot inside a spa in the US, but while in Thailand I was getting massages damn near every day. A one-hour foot massage is only $10.
My husband, on the other hand, got a full body massage, and when he told me what happened, I'm glad I didn't get one (basically he was taken into a back room and beaten up...in a friendly way). To be honest, even the foot massages had an aggressive touch to them. The first time I had one, I was bit uncomfortable by how forceful the woman was being. She even at one point pounded her fists against my thighs like she was kneading dough. However, my legs did feel better when I left.
I noticed nail salons were cheap too ($20 for a gel set compared to the $50 + 20% tip you pay here in the States), so I got my nails done while sipping on an iced tea. As I walked out of the place with fresh nails, a fresh massage, fresh body/mind/soul, I realized this was why people hated tourists. We show up to these third-world countries and act like kings.
And it's not only the tourists, but the "expats" and non-Thai locals too. My husband's friend, who we visited, had three maids who all slept in the laundry room (!?). Apparently, it only costs $100/month to hire one, so everyone has one. I guess when you can exploit cheap labor, it's easy to live a life of luxury.
Despite the conflicting ethical thoughts I had about all this, when I came back to the US, I was still a tad bitter that I wouldn't be able to get fresh nails or massages anymore and would have to go back to being a little troll in my little troll home. Once you get a taste of what being pampered feels like, it's hard to go back. Strangely enough, I think I understand it now. You know, the "self-care" bullshit. It really does raise your confidence. So, I think I'll try to find small ways to remember to pamper myself.
Cheaply, of course.