La Vida Solo
By Sue Hostetler
It is my feeling, when it comes to men, that childhood officially ends at marriage. Being a bachelor is usually an exciting time but, as with most things, this footloose and fancy-free lifestyle has an expiration date – your wedding day. Sadly, most men don’t realise this until it’s too late. Poker night with the boys just turned into dinner with your in-laws. Hunting big game on an exotic safari in South Africa? No, now you’ll be hunting for Mickey and Minnie at Euro Disney. Drinking champagne all afternoon at Club 55 in Saint Tropez just doesn’t seem quite the same when you’ve got strollers pulled up to your table.
For all of you bachelors out there with time to indulge in certain over-the-top activities tailor-made for the single man, I’ve laid-out some insider secrets for you. I have also included tips for men who are looking to improve themselves before taking on a wife; ideas that are certain to make you more attractive to the fairer sex. So, while you still have control over your time and the custody of your money… read on.
Live the lost art of adventure. Run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in July. Go to Race Car Driving School and drive a Formula 1, the most powerful of all modern racecars. Go deep powder heli-skiing in New Zealand or Argentina. Sky-dive over the pyramids in Egypt at twilight. These are obviously dangerous endeavours, so take advantage now. By the time you get married you will probably be smart (and old) enough to realise that the risk might just outweigh the reward.
Forget private planes. Real men go on a rocket ship ride. For the first time in history, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic will be offering space tourism in custom-built spaceships, modelled on the cutting edge technology of the historic SpaceShipOne. These ultra-exclusive rides will be intense and will require three days of pre-flight preparation, bonding and training on-site at the spaceport in the California Mohave Desert. But you will literally go where no man (except astronauts) have ever gone before: 50,000 feet into space, flying at 4,023km/h and three times the speed of sound! Flights are expected to begin in 2009 at a cost of 200,000 USD.
Attend extravagant parties. My strongest recommendation is the Cannes Film Festival, the most influential and prestigious festival of its kind. Always held in May, the Côte d’Azur location is spectacular, the celebrity-studded parties are legendary and beautiful women are everywhere. Or consider the Monte Carlo Grande Prix, similar to the film festival, just with fast cars instead of films. Other superb options include the annual Carnaval in Rio, the New Year’s Eve Ball at Badrutt’s Palace in St. Mortiz or the Paris-Dakar Road Rally (as either a participant or a spectator).
Plan an over-the-top weekend with friends. Enjoying an activity that is mostly for men, namely gambling. Reserve a VIP high-rollers suite at one of the most private casinos in Macau, London or Las Vegas. Smoke the best Cuban cigars, drink ancient cognac, port or single malt scotch. Keep in mind Oscar Wilde’s quote, “Moderation in all things – including moderation.” If you are not the betting kind, consider getting front row tickets or a skybox at one of the world’s premier sporting events: the Cricket World Cup, Wimbledon or the football World Cup final are a few of the most popular and thrilling.
Visit a bespoke tailor and fill your closet with gorgeous made-to-measure suits. For history and tradition, the tailors on Savile Row are probably the finest and can delivered suits to you via jet anywhere in the world. Or try Charvet in Paris for the finest in made-to-measure shirts. Charvet has been making shirts of superlative quality for royals, aristocracy and the fabulously wealthy since 1843, so they know what they’re doing. For those who dismiss such sartorial extravagances as a waste of money, I have but one question: how much would you pay to look, taller, thinner and more elegant? That is what timeless, perfectly fitting custom-made clothing can do for you.
Take time off of work to hone your skills in earthly pleasures. Attend cooking school at the famed Le Cordon Bleu. Learn how to make a soufflé or poach foie gras in Sauternes in one of their exotic locations, such as Korea, Peru, Sydney or Mexico. Another excellent option is the very exclusive Escoffier School at the Hotel Ritz in Paris. Visit Tuscany in September and go on a truffle hunt. Or study fine wines at celebrated first-growth vineyards in Bordeaux, like Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Chateau Margaux. Women are drawn to Renaissance men who have cultivated the refined and genteel pursuits of life. It means that you are romantic, sophisticated and well-rounded.
Learn to dance. The ability to move well on the dancefloor is a dying art among modern men worldwide. A man that can dance is just plain sexy and I promise that you will be the most popular and sought after man at every party from the Maldives to Moscow. Here’s the real story: women think that a man that can dance is strong and coordinated, debonair and elegant. In short, learn how to lead and we will follow.
Learn how to buy jewellery. Know the four Cs when it comes to diamonds: cut, clarity, colour and carat weight. Be able to differentiate between a pink sapphire and a pink emerald. I cannot impress upon you enough how essential this suggestion is. Such knowledge will set you apart from other single men out there. The time and effort spent becoming literate in the world of jewels will be greatly appreciated.
Learn to truly enjoy life and be happy. Do what you are passionate about, be appreciative, exhibit wit, be comfortable with yourself, be gracious, celebrate successes and learn from mistakes. This is the ultimate in personal qualities that are attractive to a single woman worth having. And it just happens to have the added benefit of leading to a long and joyful life for you, bachelor or not.
