Is Filing Your Nails in Public a Do or a Don't?

December 28, 2008

The other day on the bus, I noticed a lady focusing all (and I mean all) of her attention to her nails. She filed them for what seemed like the entire twenty-minute ride, and I have to admit — it kind of grossed me out as the nail dust floated all around. Last year I asked you what you thought about putting on makeup in public, and most of you thought that a little touchup is OK, but doing a full-blown routine is tacky. What about filing nails? Do you think it's uncouth to groom them in public, or is it acceptable?

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44 Comments

3 years 15 weeks

Only a woman would think it's okay to file in public. No guy wants to be breathing your fingernail dust.

otay 4 years 10 weeks

I'm not fond of the sound of nail filing, it really bothers me, i think you should take other people in consideration when you start filing your nails in public.

MissSushi 4 years 20 weeks

Nails are DISGUSTING things..most people dont clean under them well enough. If you have any illusions about how well you're cleaning your nails, make a turkey sandwhich, sit down, and then let a dog sniff your hands. 9/10 theyre going to go ape about your finger nails. Its just disgusting. Nail dust is going to contain all of that, and it floats around everywhere. My cousins a nail tech and i trained to be one, and you can tell all sorts of things whne nail dust starts flying. If they smoke, if they clean them at all, if they cook with spices, if they use cleaners like bleach..etc.

JaimeLeah526 4 years 20 weeks

In an emergency I would but not as regular day to day.

keiraz 4 years 20 weeks

I would put another coat or fix a chipped nail etc.. at work but try to be discreet as much as I can, hihi :-D

tallkell 4 years 20 weeks

Emergency nail filing is o.k. with me. No nail clipping though! I have a co-worker who has done this and it grosses me out!

DivaDivine 4 years 20 weeks

Gross! I've seen emergencies in my life and none of them have ever included nail filing. Have some decorum and do your nails at home or if you deem it absolutely necessary, in the restroom. I've also seen women and men trimming their fingernails on public transportation and have to fight down the nausea.

Renee3327 4 years 21 weeks

It's fine if it's just a quick fix. I was once on an hour long commuter train and the woman next to me gave herself a full manicure (including base/color/top coat) which I thought was the rudest thing ever. After that experience, filing didn't really bother me as long as no nail polish was involved!

nevadamtnbear 4 years 21 weeks

quick fix in a pinch - okay. Anything more than a single nail to fix the chip/etc, not okay. The sound of people cutting their nails in public places - GAG!! My old boss used to clip his nails in his office and I could hear it all the way down the hall in my office. ICK. That is one of those noises that just really gets me outside of the home or salon. Just the though makes me wanna puke!!!! What's worse though, is hearing my husband pick at the toe nails he's loosing. *VOMIT* OMgoodness - okay, I understand that running a 100 mile race and steep downhills and the motivation to be done and not take time to tighten up the laces on your shoes...but I DO NOT want to hear the after effects. GAWD, it's horrific.

msdyanelk 4 years 21 weeks

If I do file it's because I have one nail that's giving me the blues (likely it's chipped) and that's the extent of it but I am NOT going to go for a full blown MANICURE complete with eye goggles and surgical mask while riding the BART train. There is a time and place for everything Ladies...and gentelman!

tralala 4 years 21 weeks

It's absolutely disgusting watching someone file their nails on the train. Save it for the toilet hunnies!!!

hippiecowgirl 4 years 21 weeks

It's okay for a chip or a snag. Otherwise, save it for somewhere more private. Nail clipping is way, way worse in my opinion. The guys in my office do it daily. Eww.

amandaaa 4 years 21 weeks

just for a quick filing if a nail broke. i had gel nails and one popped off while shopping, and my friend had a manicure kit in her purse. by that time we were at my car, but something like that needs immediate attention. i hate ragged, weak nails that can bend backwards.

palacinkabeauty 4 years 21 weeks

Yes, in a pinch when nails have a really bad break or crack, they must be filed! Especially if you have on clothing that may snag, like hosiery or sweaters for example :)

Autumns_Elegy 4 years 21 weeks

If I've torn a nail then yeah sure. But I save my manicures for when I'm at home, usually because I smooth the tops of my nails as well. It's like putting on foot powder, I'd rather let it fly when I'm alone.

ivygreene 4 years 21 weeks

I have a nail that grows with a split down the middle (there is a purplish line running down the middle and it starts to split about a half a millimeter before the white of the nail - and no, it is NOT a fungus) When it breaks it's usually just half the nail and very far back. when this happens I've had to cut it back or I have half a nail left just waiting to snag and tear off. so my apologies to those around when I've had to do some emergency clipping, but it's to keep from further pain. eek!

k-huffman 4 years 21 weeks

it may sound weird but the sound of filing nails is the worst noise in the world for me. It's like nails on a chalkboard. It makes me gag and cringe and, ugh, it's the worst ever. Definite no for me.

danixk 4 years 21 weeks

I chose 'It's ok'. It's a pain when you break a nail that snags on everything, so a quick file is fine in my book.

POPSUGAR Fitness 4 years 21 weeks

Don't even get me started on what I think about clipping nails in public.

fashionrox 4 years 21 weeks

I wouldn't do my whole hand but if a nail broke why not. It might be rude at a restaurant but other than that I see no problem.

cupcake_ 4 years 21 weeks

I do it if I break a nail but that's it..so only if I have to!

missangelique999 4 years 21 weeks

I voted it's okay in a pinch-if you chip a nail and you're on the way to a job interview or something. Otherwise it's kind of nasty, I consider it personal hygiene and obviously it's best to do that during personal time, not in public.

bailaoragaditana 4 years 21 weeks

It's definitely okay if you just break a nail and need to fix it before it gets out of hand. But if you're just sitting there grooming yourself in public, it's kind of gross.

sugar_me_sweet 4 years 21 weeks

I would only file for a short moment if I had a hang nail or if I chipped my nails.

runningesq 4 years 21 weeks

I was in court a couple of months ago, calling the docket, and I kept hearing this saw saw saw behind me... I finally turned around and there was this woman, filing all of her nails in court! NOT appropriate!!

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