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 long natural nails. They cost me a few pence in polish and remover. I don't scratch people and my hands are fully functional. There isn't anything I can't do, and they're no less hygienic than when they're cut short. I don't drum them on surfaces either

I’m a retired doc, and like gardening, so also kept nails short for scrubbing up in theatre. I detest fake nails, polish etc, so I’m with you up to a point, OP - but those hideous coloured talons are a useful marker for “probably shallow non feminist woman with whom I’d have nothing in common”, so quite handy really!

How is this •campaign• any different from countless other issues where women are told what to wear/think/ the way they should behave etc?
The whole problem we have is that women can’t seem to be allowed to have our own opinions. So what if we have fake nails? Who is it really hurting? Maybe someone take some pride in their nails and appearance like you take pride in your allotment.
For what it’s worth I don’t have them, I’m too lazy for the upkeep but I don’t judge others who do like you clearly do.
And as for people saying it’s not “wholesome” Jesus fucking Christ. Because women have to be wholesome.
Sorry, this kind of stuff really gets my goat.

If you don't want to have your nails done, don't.

Let other women do what the fuck they like.

Last time I looked there was no law saying 'you must have your nails done'

I think other women are perfectly capable of making this decison for themselves without the need for any sort of 'campaign'

I have always had a horror of long nails and hair. I love to snip my nails clean. I have never had a manicure or pedicure and rarely wear nail polish on my fingernails. BUT, I admire well polished trimmed nails and I do wear toe nail polish during summer exposure. I am with you OP. But a part of me sometimes wishes I was that polished person who has regular manicures and nail polishes, despite the fact that I have neither the lifestyle nor the patience for it.

how do we give women back the use of their wonderful hands?

By saying 'here are your hands. do what you want with them and decorate them as you like'.

Oh look. A woman belittling other women in the name of feminism.

Women have been painting their nails etc for years. Do it or don't. No one 'expects it'. Why be 'anti' them?

Surely we have bigger fish to fry at the moment?

OP, as a GP, what would you recommend for weak, splitting nails? I can’t stop biting them if they have a loose edge, it feels like a compulsive urge. Having gel nails makes them thicker, lasts ages and stops me from biting them.

Personally I find it hard to do basic tasks if my nails are too long. But if I leave them to their own devices they bend and break, which is also painful so I avoid doing things e.g. opening cans. For me the happy medium is having short gel nails.

sheldon nice! You can’t cook, garden, do basic childcare like changing nappies or have any hand hygiene to a fairly basic standard if you have on fake nails. Unless you wear gloves in which case you are adding massively to the single use plastic landslide we are all drowning in.
Google pseudomonas infection under gel nails if you really want to see how disgusting they are (vomit not envy)

As someone who works in a place were my nails are constantly being broken I think that people are entitled to their own view in this, the only problem I have with it are the people who think that because my nails are not manicured I'm beneath them in some way . I do try to keep my nails looking nice and I have clean hands but this just isnt good enough. I dont see the point in wasting money I dont have to have my nails done when they'll only look good for the weekend. So please don't judge me by my nails, which can often be many different shapes and sizes until I get the chance to trim them again.

thallo are women just there to look pretty or are we able to contribute a bit more than that by actually working with our hands??

I don't see it as a chosen opinion for women I suppose any more than I see tottering around on 4 inch heels as a choice. If it's such great fun how come men don't do it? Many activities are unisex but I do see high heels and long immaculate talons as fitting in to the "women as useless decorative ornaments" category. Putting a bit of nail varnish occasionally on short nails is different to always having long gel talons, in the same way as wearing make up occasionally is different to never leaving the house without full make up.
Are we people or are we decorations?

My nails are my nails and I will do what the fuck I like with them. Ok?

You can’t cook, garden, do basic childcare like changing nappies or have any hand hygiene to a fairly basic standard if you have on fake nails.

Erm I do all of those things except gardening (managed to kill a plastic plant!!) and many more each day.

Why do some women have such a problem with other women who like to manicure their nails.
I look after my nails, they are fairly long and I always have gel polish. I really like having nice nails. It's a simple thing that makes me happy. What's the problem!?

I'd also say it is a misconception that anyone with manicured / long nails can't do anything with their hands. This is rubbish. I do all the practical things that you do, with no problems or restriction whatsoever. I have a creative, practical job & my nails in no way interfere.

I'm not bothered by those with unkept, short, bare nails. I don't understand the problem.

in a clinical setting false nails and nail varnish are not permitted

I wonder why?

What a sad statement. On many levels. Says a lot about you and your supposed feminism.

Exactly. Since when did judging other women and trying to control what they do with their own bodies equal feminism?

Oh and i was getting infected when I used to peel the skin off my fingers. At least once a month.

Didn’t take long for the “shallow” comment to be trotted out, I thinks it’s pretty shallow to judge someone on if they wear nail varnish or not.

thallo are women just there to look pretty or are we able to contribute a bit more than that by actually working with our hands??

My saying 'do what you want with your hands and decorate them as you like' has been translated into 'woman: be an ornament'?

Do you always have such issues with reading comprehension?

My natural nails are scratchy, tear easily and catch on everything. I haven't had natural nails for donkeys years