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?

Hands up who thought the most active thread on Feminist Chat this weekend was going to be about fingernails?

I love your nails barelove. M8ne are shite and unworthy of such art.

I'm not sure how me having acrylic nails affects my ability to teach children 🤷‍♀️

In some cases it has a positive influence, during my PGCE second placement a group of year 8 girls would meet me at the door every other Thursday (nails done every other Wednesday) to admire my new nails.

I hope subconsciously they were absorbing the message they could pursue computer science even if they were 'girly'.

I do like to have my nails done. For special occasions. I'm a dental nurse so cant have them dont for work.

My friend has these long pointy talons, inches and inches long they get longer everytime she has it done.

Underneath her nails looks disgusting and when she washes my hair she physically makes my eyes water, and even admits she cut my scalp on some occasions!

I'd love to have my nails done buy can't because I bite them and pick the skin and would be too embarrassed to go to a salon.

And I consider myself a feminist, I guess I'm one of the lipstick wearing one's tho so that means i can't be a serious feminist.

@dontpresssendtoosoon
I bite and pick mine too, I have horrible hands. But when I get my nails done i do feel better.. and weirdly cleaner.

If you want something, go for it, dont let nail/skin picking put you off. They've seen plenty worse!

“And I consider myself a feminist, I guess I'm one of the lipstick wearing one's tho so that means i can't be a serious feminist.”
It doesn’t actually mean that.

I think it's one of those things that you don't necessarily want to start doing unless you are reasonably well off because the maintenance can get expensive if you have it done regularly. Like whatever it is people do to their eyebrows, dyeing your hair in a salon and so on. If you are skint and/or already have other expensive vices, you wouldn't want to dip your toe in.

Can someone please show me where this pressure is for women to get their nails done?

I don't do it, none of my friends do it, my dd is 20 none of her friends do it. I see women when I am out and about but no way is it the majority so what exactly is this pressure and, if it exists, how come so many of us are immune to it?

Looking at the vile comments on this thread it seems to me that the people who judge women the most are other women yet we are so quick to blame men for it.

Has anyone ever had a negative comment made to them about their nails from a man? I'm quite sure that they don't even notice what our nails look like and yet this is some how a patriarchal conspiracy?

Yes I have. I've also had comments on my weight, my legs, my breasts and my face. One charming young man once called me a "dog" too.

Men shaming women for their appearance is commonplace.

"Men shaming women for their appearance is commonplace."
This thread seems to show that women shaming women is just as commonplace.

Surely you only have to glance at a magazine or watch the commercials on TV to see what women are “supposed” to look like? Eavesdrop on any group of teenage girls and you’ll hear them worrying about their hair, their weight, their skin- and social media constantly reinforces the anxiety they feel. And the ubiquity of porn has added yet another layer of “shoulds”.

I do think that children shouldn’t have those talons

You should see the way they have to hold their pen....I’m sure its not good for them, writing essays at any rate

Im sure its not so much a problem when you dont have to write for ages anymore

Funnily enough im off for my fortnightly manicure

Tbh I have occasionally heard men saying they find long manicured nails, caterpillar brows, fake boobs etc unattractive (colĺeagues and brothers).

Not been with anyone who wanted me to do stuff to my nails or do anything to tart up my appearance at all, though. If anything I've had the opposite problem (in past relationships).

Sorry those pricks were so rude to you, Eryth. There really are some nasty inadequates roaming this earth.

I don’t think the pressure comes from individuals. I think it comes from societal expectations. And from business. It’s in the interest of business to keep women feeling insecure about their appearance because that way they can keep selling us stuff. And I know people will poo poo this and claim not to be influenced by advertising but we all are. That’s why they advertise.

Eavesdrop on any group of teenage girls and you'll hear them worrying about their hair, their weight
I really don't think weight is as much of an issue for teenagers nowadays, going by the number of overweight teen girls I see, who often seem quite happy to show the overweight parts of their bodies rather than hiding them.
When I was a teenager you absolutely had to stay under a size 14 (pre vanity sizing) because fashionable clothes just did not exist in bigger sizes, and clothes for older women were beige crimpilene.
Once again though, it was really other girls we were trying to impress when we laid on the bed to squeeze into our size 10 jeans. Can't imagine any boy ever gave a shit if a girl was in size 10 or size 12 jeans.

"Men shaming women for their appearance is commonplace."

This thread seems to show that women shaming women is just as commonplace.

Agree

Barelove your nails are amazing, love 'em!

It always seems to come as a surprise to people that women can be unpleasant and misogynist too!

Why are you so bothered about other peoples’ nails?

I used to bite my nails really badly, making them sore. They are now fairly long and I often wear nail polish, despite working as a nanny/housekeeper. I have never stabbed or scratched a child (or adult) with them. They do not stop me gardening, cleaning, crafting, baking or anything else. I personally do not wish to pay for manicures or have false nails applied, partly because of the chemicals involved, but if others do that is fine.

Why do so many people seem to think their way of living is the only way?

I don't think it's all about insecurities. Women who enjoy grooming and make up routines often say it feels like the only corner of their lives when they're doing something entirely for their own enjoyment, rather than servicing other people.

Yes advertisers play on that - hence all the references to 'pampering', 'you're worth it' etc.

And yet people are surprised when some women don't want to be associated with feminism. I'd never want to be linked to this Type of absolute bullshit.

Stop trying to police other women. We're sick of it!

The same people often say “That’s not very sisterly” when a woman criticises another women. As if feminists should automatically support other women’s decisions.

That's not an answer. Why don't men want to look feminine?

It was a perfectly valid answer. What is wrong with a woman wanting to look feminine? It's not a bad thing to be feminine!
You realise there's both feminine and masculine, right?
If a man likes looking so called masculine, there's nothing wrong with that.
If a woman likes looking so called feminine, nothing wrong with that either.
You seem intent on seeing it as a Bad Thing and it's not, I see it as a kind of spectrum - Masculinity at one end and Femininity at the other.
Wherever you are on it, do you!
Nowt wrong with men wanting to look masculine or women wearing floaty, flowery dresses and make-up at all so don't know why you're intent on putting it down.
Disclaimer - nothing wrong with women wearing jeans and workboots either and nothing wrong with men wearing nail polish.
Hope that made sense lol
This thread's making me want to go to the nail bar down the road to have my nails done and then buy a floaty dress as a big Bah Bollocks to the Femininity Is A Bad Thing brigade!
Rah.