Ritual.

These last few weeks and since turning thirty six I have noticed a real acceleration in beard growth each day. I am not a particularly hirsute fellow and would not be mistaken for australopithecine but just lately by the time I head for bed of an evening there is no longer any way I can skip a shave the next day, and that used to be an occasional indulgent thought on Thursday evenings going into Friday, that last liberating day of the week.

This train of thought reminds me just how very, very good a wet shave is, and one delivered by someone else.

I have enjoyed this in New Delhi (on the street), in Cairo, (in a back street) in Shanghai (near The Bund and a bit clinical) and on Regent St (at Austin Reed, and entirely fine) and every time it is fantastic and you really don't need to shave at all the day after.