Can we start an anti "nail" campaign?

[2rebecca]

As a GP who frequently washes her hands, allotment owner and instrument player I really hate the trend for women to have immaculate nails that cost a fortune, scratch people and mean women can't do anything useful. Where t f did this horrible trend come from and how do we give women back the use of their wonderful hands?

I have a bit of a phobia about nails -. can't bear to see long nails, hate cutting and filing my own (grit my teeth to do it because ...I hate long nails) and the thought of wearing nail varnish makes me heave.

So I'm right with you.

I wouldn't say that there's a need for women to have their nails done. If you want to you can if you don't you won't. I work in an office and done garden or bake so having my nails done is not an inconvenience, I like having them done and do my gels myself.

Sorry not one I can support. I have gel nails. I could bang on about ease,less hassle, getting some me time etc etc etc. The main reason is that without them I bite my nails and pick at my fingers. If really stressed/struggling I'm all scabby and bloody and have no self control . Gel nails are too thick to pick at my skin and I definitely can't bite them.

I don’t like them either, kind of sets me on edge when women ‘clack’ their talons. Not forgetting the disgusting infections people can get underneath their fake nails
And I agree they are utterly pointless and make it more difficult for women to actually do anything useful!

I think long impeccable nails are as restricting as tottering around on 4 inch heels. My nail varnish never lasts more than a day as I love using my hands. Hands and nails are definitely a feminist issue.
Don't burn your bras Chuck out your artificial nails and nail varnish!

My main concern is the hugely toxic ingredients in polish. Especially for the women working in salons, horrendous voc inhalation going on.

I don’t like the way they look at all but I don’t feel like there is an expectation that people have them.

Count me in!!

Some ppl can't wear artificial nails or nail polish at work, I'm one of them, so I'm with you op.

'Mean woman can't do anything useful'.....biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard!

I have acrylic nails that would be considered long by some people & I can do everything with them!!!

Guck off with your judgemental attitude!

Not exactly talons either. I do like them quite short(and bright ).

But what I do agree is that there's no need to stress over them,spend money, compare, go a little over the top more and more each time just because it's fashion, you must do it, it makes you more of a woman , they're "sexy" everyone on Love Island has them etc.

I agree in principle but my dm takes medication that makes her nails split along their length and flake. They end up sore and her fingers end up unusable. So she has some fake hard nail stuff every 4 weeks. And I’ll probably end up the same.
They aren’t inches long though and they don’t stop her doing anything.

I often wonder about the environmental impact acrylic and gel nails have... it’s totally unnecessary, all those unrecyclable bottles with unrecyclable plastic brushes, all the waste and by products from the manufacturing process... the chemicals to remove them. Gross... mind you I don’t wear makeup for the same reasons...

I dislike them, in the sane way I dislike heavy make up. But other women choosing to spend their money on nails, cosmetics and hair dye is an expression of their freedom to do so. Likewise wearing stupid shoes that hurt and damage feet.
So no, I wouldn’t back a negative campaign. A positive one, encouraging women to ditch heels for the good of their feet and backs, or that hands, faces and hair are interesting without enhancements, yes.
But no criticism.

Agreed, i find them rather gross and unfortunately i do judge people with the really massive ones (i know IABU). I didn't varnish mine for my own wedding.

I garden, cook and wipe bums and also work in a creative field where limiting my mobility in my hands would be a real hindrance (drawing and typing). It will take a societal change i think where ornamenting oneself and ones visual appearance (especially women!) is not as important. the world now seems to be heading in the opposite direction unfortunately (instagram, selfies, fb, you tube etc etc) i really think its very unwholesome...but perhaps i'm just ancient (33) and don't understand :)

Already in as a gardening diying person.

Forgot the pic..must be the fumes getting to me

Can’t you just do your own nails as you please?

Please tell me what I can't do with my acrylic nail?

Another saying sod off. Self employed, puppy owner, typist, mandolin player, gardener. And I have long, immaculate gel nails.

My natural nails are bendy, nasty looking things and gel nails mean I don't have to worry about how I look to clients.

I don't have to worry about how I look to clients

How do you look to people who hate them?

My son's childminder has long, pointy acrylic nails with gemstones stuck to them, I have absolutely no idea how she manages to change shitty nappies and look after loads of kids with them on but somehow she does! And she does a good job of it too!

I am strictly short nails now, but used to love my long nails and polish in years go by. Only once ever had acrylics, but they damaged my own nails so badly I never did them again.

But it is a relatively cheap luxury and for a lot of working class women, having amazing, impractical nails sends a clear signal that you don't need to do manual labour.

So while it isn't my thing anymore, I am not going to be sniffy about women who chose to spend their time and money on a bit of everyday glamour.