Learn to survive the grooming jungle

SMALL PRINT:IT SAYS something about the modern world when self-grooming and presentation are incorporated into a museum exhibition. For anyone who struggles putting a knot on a tie, getting a shine on shoes, or even starching a pair of slacks, never fear, because help is on hand through Donegal County Museum.

Inspired by its current military exhibition, the museum has asked Sergeant Major Pat Neilan (pictured) to give demonstrations next Tuesday on how he gets his shoes looking so shiny as well as imparting some basic survival skills.

Caroline Carr, assistant curator with the museum, says interest from mothers, wives and girlfriends has been high. “The amount of young people who have to attend a wedding or funeral and cross over to the neighbours to ask them to tie a tie for them is incredible. The advent of clip-on ties in schools doesn’t help either.”

She also says many basic skills in the area of personal grooming and deportment are no longer passed down through the generations.

“We were looking at skills not taught in school anymore and people were talking about polishing shoes and army appearance,” says Carr. “So we have decided to invite a sergeant major, someone who is always immaculate in his presentation, to give a demonstration. The interest has been amazing – lots of Mammies are saying they will take their kids.”

Carr points out that for those going for job interviews, personal appearance is perhaps more important now than ever before.

Neilan, who is based in Finner Camp in Ballyshannon, says when he first joined the army, looking after his appearance and kit was of the utmost importance.

He is fastidious about his uniform and in particular the clothing he wears for ceremonial duties. “For my ceremonial clothing, I would spit-polish my shoes so that you’d nearly be able to shave yourself in them,” he says, “So I’ll show people how to do that, as well as make a Windsor knot on your tie and iron your slacks.”

Many schoolteachers and parents have shown a keen interest in the talk, and Neilan says that outside army life, some of the skills have been lost.

“A lot of people don’t know this information these days. I remember sending our children to school and their shoes were always polished and clean. But if you were to ask my own kids if they can still tie their own tie, I wouldn’t bet they can.”

* ‘How to’ sessions are at Donegal County Museum next Tuesday at 11am and 12.30pm. Admission free. Participants need to bring their own tie. Tel: 074-9124613