To think you can’t take a man with painted nails seriously?

[ThisSunnyBiscuit]

I know people say “it’s just nail polish” but I can’t help feeling like a man with painted nails instantly loses credibility. Whether it’s in a corporate setting or just in everyday life, it gives off a certain vibe that makes it hard to take him seriously.

It’s not about being closed-minded, it’s just that some things don’t translate well across genders. Am I being unreasonable or do others feel the same?

This. Especially the long fake nails. They restrict your movement, I'm unsure why you'd pay money and spend time to make your hands worse?!

Same with paint, if you have a life it just chips and I'm sick of people complaining how hard gel is to get off. Just don't put unnecessary chemicals anywhere.

It depends on their look in general.

Like if there was a guy wearing an expensive three piece business suit and tie, but was wearing pink sparkly nail polish it would look odd.

Or equally someone resembling Onslow from Keeping Up Appearances would not really suit it.

But a young ish, alternative guy who's quite attractive facially and physically fit...I think it could look quite hot.

Maybe not pink sparkly. That doesn't really suit anyone except a nine year old girl.

Why did you have to wait until mid 40's? Just in case your boys decided to dress up? Just interested 😄

Of course it’s closed-minded and sexist.
A man who wears nail varnish is no less credible than a woman who does.
it’s 2025, I thought we were past this bullshit.

No, I just stopped giving a shit about what people thought of the things I said. I used to care, then I almost died, now I don’t.

And of either of my sons put on nail polish, I would have laughed and told them they looked daft.just like I did when my daughter had a Mohawk for a bit.

I couldn't care less if men wear make up and nail polish. They are still men wouldnt fuss me

It’s very very very unattractive indeed to see a man who has painted nails. Yuck. Compromised masculinity. Petty little vanity.. probably critical of bodies and nit picky.

But then I think women with long false nails look like bimbos.

I think it depends on the context. I admire artistic and creative expression in people. As I’m getting older, I think I appreciate it more and think it’s a shame that in areas of life where we spend most of our time, it is discouraged.
The only context for me to not consider a man with painted nails seriously would be for a relationship, because I am not attracted to men with painted nails.

Christ did feminism pass you by? I think any one that pays attention to others nails looses credibility and needs to read more

The absolute audacity of criticising someone else's choice about what they do with their body by imagining that they're "critical of bodies".

Hypocrisy, thy name is Mumsnet.

I do rather like being audacious. And I don’t even need to paint my nails to signal it.

There's being audacious by doing things other people want to do but are too afraid to, and there's being audacious by revealing yourself to be a massive hypocrite. You picked the wrong one.

I once went out with a bloke with loads of tattoos and black nail varnish. He was gorgeous. I took him seriously. It didn’t work out in the long run but not because of his nails!

They can do what the like to their nails without judgement from others, same as women.

Personally I like it when people have the confidence to express themselves as they wish even when it doesn’t conform with particular norms and expectations. Any context that a woman could have painted nails it should be just as appropriate for a man.

I’ve seen a growing number of men with painted nails - from a bit of chipped varnish to elaborate manicures and I’m happy to see it.

Gender equality cuts both ways. Let the men enjoy a manicure.

All for it. Also eyeliner.

It would turn me off!

And you wonder why your children confirm your gender bias.

would you have laughed at your dd and said she “looked daft” in nail polish?

Why though?

why do you take women in nail polish seriously but not men?

Dan Stevens fucking rocked that acid yellow suit and matching nails. Masculine, credible, fabulous.

I absolutely do not give a shit about a man with nail polish, what a ridiculous thing to have an issue with. Grow up.

Hot as hell.

It’s not just my children who confirmed it. I’ve worked with countless children over the years.

Actually, I have told her in the past to take off ridiculously coloured nail varnish and remove stupid fake nails (and make up) for important events, job interviews, university functions as I don’t think it looks very professional. Which she soon realised for herself with the daft Mohawk when one of her uni lecturers also told her it wasn’t a good look if she wanted decent placements. she soon regretted it when she realised it was getting her overlooked and changed it. It’s no different to me, boy or girl.

Gosh you’re vitriolic towards me. How audacious of you. Not to mention unbalanced.

Clean, neat, tidy nails on anyone are a good thing to me - I couldn't give a shit what colour they are as long as its clean and neat and not chipped or dirty or broken.

I do judge folk with really long nails, really stupidly shaped nails, massively elaborate nails - they appear totally impractical to me and suggest a person is a vapid, self obsessed creature who would prioritise appearance over being able to use their fingers properly!

I appreciate that isn't very nice of me and I'd never voice that opinion to a persons face - its not constructive and it is unkind.

The gender of the person with the nails is irrelevant really. They're nails, if its stupid for a man to paint his nails an unnatural colour, then it is equally stupid for a woman to do so.

How does making your nails a different colour compromise your masculinity? I’d genuinely
love to know.
Also in much the same way women donr
exist to please men visually, men do not exist to make you happy.