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The other day I walked into my usual nail salon that does eyebrow and lip waxing. I was sitting at the chair waiting for my turn reading a magazine.
This woman was near me drying her nails. She was checking me out and looking me up and down for whatever reason. And then goes 'so you bite your nails.' I ignored her and she goes excuse did you hear me? I look up. And she goes 'so you bite your nails' an she's smiling waiting for a response. I have no idea what to respond to a complete stranger who starts a conversation like that...I just said 'yes' and looked back down to continue reading my magazine.
What was she thinking? What did she expect me to say??? It's obvious I bite them, my nails look bitten and small...
I've had people say this to me my entire life, but usually it's a friend or a relative who says it or when I'm at a party already involved in a convo w/ someone. I always hated it when someone asks the same question (because I never know how to respond) but at least before it was someone I knew not a stranger!!
I mean seriously, I'd luv to have long beautiful nails and stop biting them. But I can't stop!
I just don't understand why this stupid lady thought her stupid question was such a great conversation starter and what she was expecting me to say??
This is an issue affecting me. Like you, I am a chronic, unstoppable nail-biter. The habit seems incidental to most people. But as a professional man, I occasionally - though not often - hear the query, "You bite your nails?!" My response is always matter-of fact: "Yes. I'm a severe nail-biter. Always have been." I never appear ashamed or embarrassed when the issue comes up. That usually defuses and drops the issue.
I do too. I don't really consider it a problem, it's just a habit that I can't seem to stop doing. I guess it's genetic because I find myself biting my nails without realizing it. My dad used to bite his nails at my age, but he stopped. So I guess if someone wanted to stop then they could one day.
That was inappropriate for a random person to point out that you bite your nails. It is like pointing out that a person's hair is brown. Thank you for stating the obvious, and....??
However, I must caution you to please keep nail-gnawing to a minimum in public, for your health and everyone elses health. We have a chronic nail-biter at work and it creeps a lot of us out. Basically you are slathering germs from your mouth all over your fingers then touching things in common areas. Likewise, you are picking up who knows what germs on your hands then sticking them in your mouth. It's a great way to spread colds and the flu.
I've had that happen to me too.
Chronic nailbiter since infancy, and cannot stop. It's not just anxiety that triggers it, I HATE long nails. They creep me out.
I've kicked nicotine and a few other bad habits I'm reluctant to mention here, but for some reason I cannot stop biting the nails.
It is pretty rude for someone to bring it up in that context, I think.
I get grossed out watching fat people stuff their faces in buffet restaurants, but I'm not going to go over to them and say "So, I see you have an over-eating problem".
seriously, why should you care?
I don't care about what people comment about me.
You know you're pretty, that's ABSOLUTELY enough.
Others don't see it, FINE! It's just their poor that they don't see you pretty!!!
We women are always pretty!!!!
Some people just don't think that drawing attention to something about which you might not exactly be proud is not a big deal, but I'm with you, especially b/c she persisted when you ignored her. That's just the height of rude.
I used to bite my nails and have found that if I keep them manicured (not professionally), then I am less apt to bite them. I keep them filed, buffed and polished pretty much all of the time with (usually) clear polish; I also have a cuticle nipper to trim hangnails.
I find that, if I keep up on my nail maintenance with tools, then I am less apt to use my mouth to try to do the job. That said, figuring out why you bite your nails is the first step to breaking the habit.
I don't see why her making the comment was so offensive to be honest. She was making an observation and you confirmed it. No big deal. It would have been an issue if she lectured you about why you should stop biting your nails, etc. JMHO. I used to be a huge nail biter growing up. But, once I got into college I stopped. Not sure why, but my parents sure tried everything to get me to stop biting my nails - that bitter nail polish, etc. I guess it was just time to stop. But, frankly I could care less if others bite their nails. It does bug me that my dh does - well he actually picks at his nails which is a lot more annoying than actually biting nails to me.
Aww, it's OK. I bite my nails. Done it since I was 3. The longest I stopped was for like 4 months, but then I got really nervous and nibbled my long nails away. That was almost 2 years ago, I've been trying to grow them back ever since. Nail biting is such a waste, especially when you have nice looking nail beds.
That lady should'nt of pointed out you bite your nails, it's none of her bussiness. Why should she care? I swear I hate it when people think they need to know everything about everybody!
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you bite your nails
This is an issue affecting me. Like you, I am a chronic, unstoppable nail-biter. The habit seems incidental to most people. But as a professional man, I occasionally - though not often - hear the query, "You bite your nails?!" My response is always matter-of fact: "Yes. I'm a severe nail-biter. Always have been." I never appear ashamed or embarrassed when the issue comes up. That usually defuses and drops the issue.
