I used to be mystified by all the things that people could find to talk about about other people. I'm no longer mystified but I sure am bemused. Let's take fingernails. Fingernails? you ask. Why should anyone be talking about anyone else's fingernails? Beats me, but they do.
On b4s's blog she was discussing (okay, discussing is a little mild for the sarcasm present) a book on dating advice in which a weekly manicure, polish and making sure your nails are up to the second viewable is a must. Huh? Are there really that many people--think males--out there with fingernail fetishes? Apparently so, based on that book. Funny, but from my own experience I wouldn't have placed fingernails right up there at the top of the list of items that men consider the "must haves" for viewing on a female.
I won't bore you with all the details, but for most of my life I have simply been unable to grow a presentable set of nails. While single I kept them short and clean and that was it. Amazingly enough, I managed to get married and stay married. Nothing changed during all my married years until this past summer. Suddenly, in my "golden" years, my nails were growing out strong and long. I think I let them grow out just out of curiosity as to how you handle basic living tasks with a set of talons. Apparently just fine. So yes, I invested in a bit of pale polish and off I went into the world.
A few people have found some practical uses for these new nails of mine, like being able to easily lift off those tiny sticky labels that come on packages. But for the most part people have made those "private" comments that are said just a little too loudly to be all that private. And yes, some of them have been male, surprising the dickens out of me. Like what? "Does her husband know just how much those fake nails cost?" "Lucky her to have time to go get a manicure every week. My wife is too busy to do that." And this comment in class, between two boys as I was passing out papers. "Real? No, they are made out of plastic and they glue them on. Our women don't use them." (I just might add this as an aside. If males are putting together manicure and money then a girl with polished nails on a date just might be giving off vibes she doesn't really want to--you know, "I have polished nails and that's high maintenance so I'm high maintenance."
How the nails are going to stand up to the rigor of yom tov making I have yet to find out. But I still have trouble with the idea that my nails are going to be a topic of conversation. I've put up a bunch of reading lists over the summer, but if anyone is really so bored that they need to discuss someone's fingernails, I could always post lots more book lists. Or I could always borrow a sentiment from the younger generations around--"Please, get a life!"
8 comments:
Fingernails huh? I'm thinking that maybe that novocaine at the dentist's may still be affecting you a little. I mean, what is there really to say about fingernails other then you have them. But guys discussing nails? Weird.
Although it has been a few decades since I was part of the shidduch/dating scene, I still remember that we guys did occasionally talk about our female counterparts. I do not recall fingernails ever coming up one way or the other. Feeling like an old, out of it fogey, I called my son, who has more contemporary information. He tells me he hasn't discussed fingernails either. This does not stop my daughters from polishing theirs, however. Although they do it themselves.
Is it possible the whole manicure suggestion is more about a state of mind than actually getting one every week or nails specifically?
Kind of like taking more to heart the saying that there is no such thing as an unattractive woman…there are only lazy ones?
--yes, this would apply to men as well
d - it's not about laziness, but priorities. I have better things to do than worry about my nails (although I admit that I was gifted with beautiful nails). When my daughter was younger and needed someone to literally sit next to her when she did her homework, I did my nails. They were always nice and pretty. Now, I would rather read a book, watch TV or go on line.
We are talking here about frum people right? I wouldn't become so fond of a girl's nails because she'll get married and the first time she heads for the mikveh those nails will become toast. And to get them for the few weeks she can wear them in any month is going to cost mucho money.
Okay so I'm ready to take any heat that's coming but yeah, I notice a girl's hands. And a pretty manicure sure beats chewed up stubby nails. My advice to girls would be if it's visible make it decent looking.
I dunno.... sometimes nail length has everything to do with something else entirely. Examples? Piano players: short nails. Guitar players: left hand short, right hand long. Artists: short, short, short; otherwise, long with multiple colors and materials stuck underneath. Archaeologists: encrusted with a thousand years of history.
My mother drags me to get weekly manicures. It's my form of kibud eim. I don't mind the manicure, but I can't wait 15 minutes for my nails to dry properly, and then I chip them within two day...I have nice nails naturally...what a waste.
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