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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that it's antisocial to paint your nails on the train?

141 replies

pasturesgreen · 14/12/2019 16:19

Currently on a long distance train journey, fairly empty coach. Across from the aisle there's this woman who is painting her nails. I loathe the smell. Now, I realise this is a minor annoyance, and that I can move to another empty seat, but just for the sake of passing the remaining 3 hours on my journey: AIBU to think that personal grooming (nail painting, applying full face of makeup, extensive hair brushing etc.) is best reserved for behind closed doors?

OP posts:
hoxtonbabe · 15/12/2019 00:22

This is my top peeve. I don’t care about make up, not overly fussed about food but nail polish takes the piss. The fumes make me dizzy and my nose irritated. I rarely go into nail bars as I hate the smell. It’s even worse on a coach. At least if on the train there are other carriages to move to, but the selfish twat on the Lon to notts coach didn’t see it as an irritant

Celticrose · 15/12/2019 00:37

My DH is asthmatic and the smell of nail polish would be a trigger for him. I don't use it much but always put it on somewhere where it will not affect him.

Fraggling · 15/12/2019 01:08

Nail varnish reeks. Not the same as makeup at all.

Emeraldshamrock · 15/12/2019 01:12

Meh other than the smell it would not bother me.
I often applied my makeup on a long train journey.

dorisdoughnut · 15/12/2019 01:27

Could be worse

AIBU to think that it's antisocial to paint your nails on the train?
snowybaubles · 15/12/2019 01:28

I've had to do it myself

Nobody has to put nail varnish on Hmm

grisen · 15/12/2019 02:03

Nails - absolutely do not. I’m not personally bothered but it stinks.
Make up - why is this socially unacceptable to some? If I’m leaving at 5am, for 2-3 hour journey (or more) I’m not waking up at 3 to do my make up.

Time40 · 15/12/2019 02:33

Personally, I think nail varnish smells quite nice. Smelly food is far, far worse in my opinion. As is noise.

QuiteForgetful · 15/12/2019 02:42

Make-up, hair, ok, nail polish, hair spray oŕ fragrance, no. Thoughtless to people with any breathing problems.

ForalltheSaints · 15/12/2019 06:53

Nail polish would not offend me. I do feel saddened by those who choose to put make up on whilst on the tube or train I am on- it only ever seems to be those who over apply, and feel sad they feel the need to cake themselves.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 15/12/2019 07:45

It’s not about being offended.

The smell can make people physically sick, it causes headaches, migraines and asthma attacks.

No one needs to do it on a train.

KatherineJaneway · 15/12/2019 07:52

Can't believe so many people think that it is OK Xmas Shock

CountFosco · 15/12/2019 07:52

Personal grooming should be done in private, not in public spaces. It's minging to sit on the train doing your makeup.

Brimful · 15/12/2019 07:55

The smell of nail polish triggers my DH to have a 3-4 day migraine. (I never paint my nails anymore, the smell lingers and travels from room to room it's very strong!) So it would be an issue for him for that reason. Just the streets ng smell I'd say is enough to make it anti social, it's quite selfish to inflict the smell on others.

The worst thing I've seen is when people clip their nails - I've seen this on coaches, trains and on flights. Once one guy sitting next to me on a (thankfully short) flight wouldn't stop chewing little bits of skin off around his fingers; the skin was flaking down his front. I didn't say anything as I assumed he must be a nervous flier but it was disgusting.

Made me feel sick.

MrsBobBlackadder · 15/12/2019 08:00

This happened to me on the tube (Xmas Hmm) the other day - a woman sitting opposite started using nail varnish. It triggered my asthma and I had to use my inhaler

CherryPavlova · 15/12/2019 08:01

Common. Getting dressed should be done at home not on a train.
Hair-brushing is inconsiderate. Other people’s dead skin and old hair flying around.
Nail polish runs the risk of it ending up damaging the fabric of the train or someone else’s clothing. It also has a strong smell which could upset a few people.
General makeup is still odd on a train. I’ve only ever seen a few ‘bright orange foundation and hooped earring’ type of girls doing it and they are usually very young. They’ll hopefully mature and realise it’s inappropriate.

tulips77 · 15/12/2019 08:07

What's the guy in the last picture doing?

Movinghouseatlast · 15/12/2019 08:11

I don't get why putting make up on is wrong? Unless you are elbowing someone in the process, which would be anti social.

HavelockVetinari · 15/12/2019 08:18

Odorless make-up is fine, I genuinely don't see why anyone would care apart from internalised misogyny. Stinky nail polish though is not acceptable.

Yabadee · 15/12/2019 08:19

@celticrose

Same. DD and I can’t even put on nail polish anywhere in the house while he’s in, aggravates his asthma really badly. I only do it when I know he won’t be home for a few days.

jcurve · 15/12/2019 08:22

I’ve asked someone to stop painting their nails on a London to Bristol train before. It stinks and if you drop the bottle, it gets over my clothes as well. Get dressed at home like the rest of us!

AndAnotherNameChanger · 15/12/2019 08:26

Yabu for lumping it together with applying makeup. But yes applying nail varnish or spraying deodorant/ similar are anti social and would not be done in public confined spaces

AndAnotherNameChanger · 15/12/2019 08:26

*should not be done

Lockheart · 15/12/2019 08:28

YANBU. Personal grooming should be done at home before you leave the house. If you don't have time to do it before leaving the house then either get up earlier, learn to understand that make up / nail polish is not an essential, or use a public bathroom / the office bathroom.

Awrite · 15/12/2019 08:31

I'd rather someone paint their nails than eat, drink or make noise.