πββοΈ
Man Getting Massage
man GET-ing muh-SAHJ
Definitions
1
People Β· Wellness
Common
Depicts a man receiving a massage, typically a head or face massage. Used to represent relaxation, self-care, stress relief, or spa treatments.
Often used when discussing wellness activities, self-care routines, or to indicate taking time to relax.
After that stressful week, I'm treating myself to a spa day πββοΈ
Personal messaging
Finally booked that massage I've been talking about for months πββοΈ #selfcare
Social media
Reflects growing social acceptance of male wellness and self-care practices in Western cultures.
2
Activities Β· Relaxation
Common
Used metaphorically to indicate taking a break, relaxing, or relieving stress in any context, not necessarily involving an actual massage.
Often appears in conversations about work-life balance, mental health breaks, or unwinding.
Taking the day off work tomorrow to recharge πββοΈ
Messaging apps
Part of digital wellness language that emerged with increased focus on mental health in online discourse.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Introduction of gendered profession emojis including man getting massage.
Push for gender equality in emoji representation.
2018
Increased usage coinciding with rise of 'self-care' as cultural concept in social media.
Wellness and mental health awareness movements gaining momentum online.
2020
Spike in usage during pandemic lockdowns as symbol of missed experiences.
COVID-19 restrictions limiting access to wellness services.
Cultural Context
Represents evolving masculine norms that increasingly embrace self-care and wellness activities once marketed primarily to women.
Part of Unicode 9.0's effort to create gender equality in emoji professions, moving away from gender stereotypes in digital communication.
Millennials and Gen Z use this emoji more frequently, reflecting changing attitudes toward male grooming and wellness across generations.
Often used metaphorically to indicate any form of relaxation or stress relief, not just literal massage treatments.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Used more pragmatically, often in contexts of health therapy rather than luxury indulgence.
United States
Commonly used in wellness and self-care contexts, particularly in urban areas where spa culture is prevalent.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Less commonly used, but appears in contexts of health treatments or vacation activities rather than routine self-care.
Gen_Z: Used casually for any form of relaxation or break, often in ironic contexts about needing stress relief from minor inconveniences.
Older: Rarely used; when present, typically refers to literal massage therapy for health purposes rather than luxury or relaxation.
Millennials: Frequently used when discussing actual spa treatments or wellness activities as part of self-care routines and work-life balance.
Common Combinations
πββοΈπ
Ultimate relaxation or relief from stress
Represents the satisfied feeling after receiving a massage or taking time for self-care.
πββοΈπ―
Perfect relaxation or top-tier self-care experience
Often used when highlighting exceptional wellness experiences worth recommending.
πββοΈπ§ββοΈ
Complete wellness routine involving both massage and meditation
Represents holistic approach to wellness popular in Western adaptations of Eastern practices.
πββοΈπ
Recharging energy through relaxation or self-care
Metaphor for treating the body like technology that needs recharging.