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 did read it, it was the post I was referencing in my first post. It is necessary that we learn to use critical analysis and separate the behaviour from the individual. Personal attacks are not useful.

Actually some women working in healthcare do have them. Someone posted about babies in NI dying because healthcare workers were carrying infections in their long acrylic nails.
I know many places have now banned them, but I also know there are carers working with vulnerable people who have them.

Sixteen babies died, linked to one nurse with long artificial nails, and one with long natural nails. If I was the parent of one of those babies I would be livid that looks were put before safety.
www.nailsmag.com/article/92926/long-nails-and-nursing-dont-mix

”I think a manicure should be no more than a tenner, max, and was astonished to be asked for £40 for mani pedi with gel or shellac or something”

You think my talented nail technician should only get £10 to cover her own time, maintaining her studio, buying products, insurance, and all the other costs involved?

How do you think that cost could possibly be achieved by any salon, bearing in mind the costs involved with employing someone alone, before you even take into account other costs?

Making a manicure that cheap would involve some serious exploitation of (mainly) women...

Incessant grooming though..😂 really? Its once a month.

Riddle me this..

I rarely wear make up or shave.
I like getting my nails done.
I don't wear heels.
I like getting my hair dyed(especially something colourful).
DD has OH's name.
When we get married I won't take his name.
I'm not afraid of wrinkles or laughter lines and there's no way in hell I'll have a billion creams on my face.

What am I?

18 years ago one of my midwives had the longest acrylic nails ever, I couldn't understand how she was allowed them. Fortunately she just did my paperwork and didn't need to get anywhere near me!

Nails used to be important to me ( I have nails that fast so can have them long if I want them) but I do lots of things like play the piano and pottery now so keep them short.

I don't like the way that nails have become another thing that's become a totally normal part of grooming. I don't know why as I like make up so I realise I'm full of contradictions but as I getting older I'm wearing less and less.

Incessant grooming though

That's such a bingo phrase on here. I get my hair dyed and cut once every 5 weeks. It takes an hour and a half and about half of that time I'm just sitting reading a book whilst the dye takes- but that no doubt counts as "incessant grooming"

I used to get my hair 'done' with hair colour. Spent over £2000 pounds doing it. Then I caught myself on.

My hair is now gorgeous. It's sprinkled with white, curly hairs. Like fairy dust.

And it's free, like me.

Actually some women working in healthcare do have them. Someone posted about babies in NI dying because healthcare workers were carrying infections in their long acrylic nails.

On this thread?

Of course someone would be livid if their child died. But again, what relevance does that have to any woman who does not work in healthcare wanting their own nails done?

You are obsessed with how bad they are for health care workers. That means they should be banned in healthcare. Jot that all women should be banned from having them done.

Making a manicure that cheap would involve some serious exploitation of (mainly) women...

This is very true. It appears that poster is more concerned about wether women have their nails done, than about possible exploitation.

I used to get my hair 'done' with hair colour. Spent over £2000 pounds doing it. Then I caught myself on.

2k, over what period?

What do you mean caught yourself on?

If you dont want to get it done. Dont. Not getting it done, doesnt make you more enlightened or better.

I am sure there is plenty you spend money on that other people think is bonkers.

If any healthcare professionals who do direct patient care/ examinations have false, painted or long nails that is a management issue and I would report. I did my nurse training 20 years ago and it was drummed into you that your nails needed to be short, unpainted and clean. Whilst I agree that HCPs should not have false nails I don't see why the rest of the population can't if they should wish to.

@YourSarcasmIsDripping has it really stopped you picking around the cuticle and edges of the nail. It's my worst habit...

My recent training had short, clean nails as standard for care.

I've seen a care worker lose a false nail on an elderly male patient who had significant ulcer problems. We couldn't find the nail and spent way too much time looking for it resulting in other elderly patients not getting the care they should have received. FFS!

NO WAY would I have allowed a midwife to deliver my babies with long nails. My last baby was born in 2001.

I am with you OP.

I think there is pressure to make our bodies conform and the ' ideal look' is becoming more plastic and uniform by the day.

Standing up for the right to be a plastic clone is a surprising interpretation of feminism.

Standing up for the right to be a plastic clone is a surprising interpretation of feminism.

Are you saying that it's ok for women to tell others how to have their nails and hair?

jennymanara it wasn’t in NI that 16 babies died due to infections carried under nails, it looks like you are saying it was.
Not that it’s better wherever it was but it’s a shock to read this if you’re from NI.

I also wear false toe nails in the summer as I don’t have big toe nails at all. Feminist? Is it better as it’s to correct an absence?

Oh I see. By having my nails done I am automatically a plastic clone. Riiiight.

I get gel nails (though I keep them short). Otherwise my natural fingernails are very short, weak, and prone to splitting and peeling (causing painful and sensitive areas). They add some protection. They don’t interfere with my typing, my sports activities, and don’t scratch myself or anyone else.

Standing up for the right to be a plastic clone is a surprising interpretation of feminism.

Saying a woman who has her nails done, is a plastic clone, is a good interpretation of feminism?

Campaganing to ban false nails, so women are not allowed them, is that a good interpretation of feminism?

www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20000323/fingernail-bacteria-linked-to-baby-deaths-in-hospital

jennymanara according to this article. It was linked to 3 nurses. One with long artificial nails, one with long natural nails and one with short natural nails?

Not just the 2 you quoted that fit your narrative.

I used an ultraviolet lamp recently as a demo to show the importance of hygiene. Even after washing my hands twice the one place that showed bacteria was under my long, natural nails painted with black varnish. Given we don't generally use nail brushes then it looks like they carry a lot of bacteria.

In Elizabethan times, women 'chose' to paint their faces with Arsnic and lead because it was the fashion. Also in the Renaissance women 'chose' to put Belladona in their eyes.

We can see now that not only were they toxic but whilst the women thought they were choosing to do this is is obvious that society was backing them into a ( toxic) corner. There is a good piece called " Fatal Beauty" which can be found by Google if anyone is interested.

Banning things is not how we should approach these matters but engaging thoughtfulness as to why women bend over backwards to alter their bodies, and men do not, it worth discussing and is a feminist issue.

Considering looking at the effects of chemicals, on nails is very sensible.

Banning things is not how we should approach these matters but engaging thoughtfulness as to why women bend over backwards to alter their bodies, and men do not, it worth discussing and is a feminist issue.

OP wants to ban them.

And actually, men are starting to go down the same route. It's one of the reason strips use is going up, alarmingly.

Having your nails done isnt bending over backwards. Has anyone on this thread said 'I get mine done but wish I did have to/its a pain/I dont like them'

No, so they arent bending over backwards.