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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is ridiculous

51 replies

ConcertinaWorm · 31/12/2020 13:58

Best friend has never cut the nails on his right hand because he says it’s not possible? He has always persuaded either partners or friends to do it for him. He has health conditions or impairments that mean he actually can’t do it. I live nearby and he wants me to do it for him. He’s a grown adult in his 50s. AIBU to refuse on the grounds of he really needs to sort this out and not rely on people to do it.

OP posts:

Nimo12 · 31/12/2020 15:17

@Grobagsforever thats really weird. How do they not grow?

Etinox · 31/12/2020 15:18

@Grobagsforever pics please

satnighttakeaway · 31/12/2020 15:20

@Grobagsforever

I've never cut my nails or the DCs. It's not necessary. All our nails are normal length

That is not normal unless you're a family of nail biters

AndcalloffChristmas · 31/12/2020 15:24

It’s really weird! Anyone can use clippers with their left hand surely? I think I’d struggle with scissors and am not good at doing nail varnish on my right hand, but anyone clippers are so easy.

I agree if he can do it he needs to go for a manicure.

MaryLeeOnHigh · 31/12/2020 15:24

I can't do it properly with scissors, but it's child's play with clippers. Doesn't he know they exist?

LouiseTrees · 31/12/2020 15:27

If he can’t use scissors or clippers he could use an emery board. He understands sandpaper right? I mean yes he’d need them cut once more to a more manageable length and to file them quite often but really! This is a new one on me and I don’t understand how people get to that age without doing such things!

VetiverAndLavender · 31/12/2020 15:42

No way would I do that for a friend who was capable of doing it themselves. (The thought gives me the creeps, tbh.) I'd send him a link for some clippers and tell him that if all else fails, he can hire it done or use his teeth.

RunningFromInsanity · 31/12/2020 15:58

I’ve never cut my nails. They grow to a nice length, then inevitably break and I start again.

Suppose it’s different for a male.

Original poster

ConcertinaWorm · 31/12/2020 17:16

I’ve told him I’m not doing it and he said if he could do it he would have as he doesn’t like asking. He said he doesn’t have the confidence to do it. I said the only way to get confidence is to keep doing something till it gets easier. I honestly can’t get my head round what the problem is. It’s not like anything terrible can happen if he tries it. Unless he clips his finger off or something.

OP posts:

ToniTheDonkey · 31/12/2020 17:20

That’s what he has teeth for!

I am very right handed, by which I mean I’m not very good with my left hand, but even I can use clippers with my left hand to trim the nails on my right hand.

I might be odd but I can only use clippers on finger nails, not scissors but I use scissors on toe nails, not clippers.

Anniegetyourgun · 31/12/2020 17:25

I haven't cut my fingernails in years. I was told filing is better for 'em, and it's certainly easier to do with the off hand. I'd imagine that at his time of life he's so used to having servants someone else look after his nails, even filing his own would seem weird; but he could surely, as an otherwise functional human being, give it a try?

EasternDailyStress · 31/12/2020 17:29

Toenail clippers are much stronger and easier to use. Tell him to get some of them.

TroublesomeTrucks · 31/12/2020 17:57

I’ve wondered for a while why left handed nail scissors aren’t more of a thing. Surely they’re something loads of people would use?

CorianderBee · 31/12/2020 18:02

No idea I've bitten my nails my whole life - maybe tell him to take up the practice

SingingSands · 31/12/2020 18:07

I can't get my head around the idea of an able bodied 50yr old man asking other people to cut his fingernails... and these people actually doing it.

MustardMitt · 31/12/2020 18:11

He’s more worried about trying to use clippers than asking someone to cut his damn nails for him? What a pillock.

I’d say no, buy him some clippers and tell him not to ask me again. I do my kids nails but the idea of doing anyone else’s kind of grossed me out tbh.

leavethelightson · 31/12/2020 18:21

The confidence?! What does he think is going to happen? He will misjudge and accidentally lob off his thumb!!

Can he not just bite them?

This is the weirdest thing ever!

PumpkinPie2016 · 31/12/2020 18:22

YANBU. At 50 years old, with no impairments, he needs to learn to use either scissors or clippers like everyone else. Or he can pay a professional nail technician to do them.

Does he think everyone else asks other people to cut their nails on one hand?

My dad is right handed but missing two fingers due to a trauma injury. As a result, he can struggle with gripping things/manipulating things but he still manages to cut his own nails/shave etc. In fact, he adapted to do pretty much everything an able bodied person can do.

Your friend is being ridiculous!

1FootInTheRave · 31/12/2020 18:23

This has made me feel sick.

Weird as fuck.

Grobagsforever · 31/12/2020 18:31

[quote Pixilicious]@Grobagsforever how??? Do they not grow?[/quote]
@Pixilicious

Yes but we just bite them or they break. Honestly nails are self limiting if you leave them be. No other species cuts their nails after all.

Original poster

ConcertinaWorm · 31/12/2020 19:09

leavethelighton. Exactly - the worst he could do is end up with a bit of a cut if he missed. It’s not a particularly high risk thing to have a go at.

PumpkinPie2016. Exactly - your DFs attitude is the polar opposite. He really does have a reason to ask for assistance but has chosen to adapt and work out a way he can still do it.

OP posts:

MustardMitt · 31/12/2020 21:01

Yes but we just bite them or they break. Honestly nails are self limiting if you leave them be. No other species cuts their nails after all

No other species shits in a toilet either buy I suspect you do!

Honestly the thought of untidy nails bitten short gives me the heebie jeebies.

canigooutyet · 02/01/2021 10:25

Op at least you know what future gift to buy him - a manicure set with different size and shape clippers. It's what slanted clippers were designed for!!

YoniAndGuy · 02/01/2021 10:36

Wtf. Also that he's cast around for the nearest female to do it for him... I'd be smiling and saying 'Sorry, I've got ovaries. I've just never been able to clip things - I'd probably take your head off. Could you find a male to do it? I hear that as a sex, they could all do with a learning a bit more pointless jobs to serve perfectly able adults'

Original poster

ConcertinaWorm · 02/01/2021 11:41

YoniAndGuy. He has roped his brother in a few times but in the main yes it's the women he knows who have the privilege.

OP posts:

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