What do you think of nail biters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 35 and I've bitten my nails since I was a child. Not because I'm anxious or scared. I like to bite them until they hurt and just about to bleed, the sensation is heavenly like getting a pedicure or a massage.

It's just a habit for many of us nail biters not a sign of gloom and doom and I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of my habit, you can kiss my ass with your judgments.

OP here and lifelong nail biter. I asked hoping that some of the "judgments" you speak of would pop up in my mind each time I go to bite, thus discouraging me for the time being anyway. People are so defensive about being judged! Get over it. We're human. Judgement is what's ensured our survival as a species.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 35 and I've bitten my nails since I was a child. Not because I'm anxious or scared. I like to bite them until they hurt and just about to bleed, the sensation is heavenly like getting a pedicure or a massage.

It's just a habit for many of us nail biters not a sign of gloom and doom and I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of my habit, you can kiss my ass with your judgments.

OP here and lifelong nail biter. I asked hoping that some of the "judgments" you speak of would pop up in my mind each time I go to bite, thus discouraging me for the time being anyway. People are so defensive about being judged! Get over it. We're human. Judgement is what's ensured our survival as a species.

I am a nail biter too and I was hoping the same thing. I do like the idea of manicures. Maybe that will help me. I think I do it when I am bored more than any other time.

[Anonymous]

Nail biting (and even biting down on thread to "cut" it, if you're a seamstress) can cause pulp damage to your teeth. Google it. . . . For the sake of your teeth, if nothing else, please don't bite your nails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 35 and I've bitten my nails since I was a child. Not because I'm anxious or scared. I like to bite them until they hurt and just about to bleed, the sensation is heavenly like getting a pedicure or a massage.

It's just a habit for many of us nail biters not a sign of gloom and doom and I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of my habit, you can kiss my ass with your judgments.

Fellow nail biter here. No, it's gross alright, habit or not. Our fingernails look like shit, we've constantly got our hands in our mouths, and whether you can acknowledge it or not you do it to self-soothe. Much like a child sucks its thumb. Charming, especially in anyone over about four years old.

[TheNewGirl]

I think it's really, really unsanitary. Akin to wiping your nose on your sleeve, or spitting. Or picking your teeth at the table. Ok, I've grossed myself out now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nail biting (and even biting down on thread to "cut" it, if you're a seamstress) can cause pulp damage to your teeth. Google it. . . . For the sake of your teeth, if nothing else, please don't bite your nails.

OP here, yes this is definitely something I want to keep in mind! Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

I do it. I love how it feels. It is totally relaxing but I hate how unprofessional it looks and wish I could stop. I do it more as a self stim and not because of anxiety,

[Anonymous]

I personally find it disgusting. I also feel bad for nail biters b/c I assume that most would rather stop. My eldest daughter does (6yo). I have no idea why but hope it's not anxiety or nerves.

[Anonymous]

Life long nail biter and I indeed, ruined my two front teeth. So much more prone to chipping now. That has helped me stop. However, when I did bite I only bit my nails when I'm working on the computer or reading a book. It was when my body had to be still but my mind had to be very active that caused me to bite. Some sort of displacement of energy I guess. And as hypocritical as this sounds, I think nail biters with chewed down stubs have an issue they need to work on, anxiety, homelife, time management, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm 36 and still bite my nails. I do it less and can actually get pretty nice nails, but not often.

I've done the salon, still bit them. Did fake nails, bit those off.

For me it's not stress or anxiety. I think it's mostly boredom. I mostly bite my nails when I'm driving or waiting.

[Anonymous]

I don't see many adults with bitten, unkempt nails - but when I do I judge them as "not pulled together".

I lump them with people who come to work every day with wrinkly clothes, wet hair, or who always need to go out at get breakfast after arriving at work. I feel like some things you need to learn to get together as an adult and if you can't keep your hands out of your mouth - I assume you have other impulse control, anxiety, or ADD issues I don't want to deal with.

[Anonymous]

I just feel sorry for them like they aren't in control of themself, are unaware of how they appear, or are uneducated.

I've bitten an occasional hangnail in a moment when moving and I get a painful snag, but other than that I just think it's so dirty.

But equally gross imho is people who DON"T cut their nails, especiall men, with long uneven snaggy nails. It is absolutely mentally ill looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see many adults with bitten, unkempt nails - but when I do I judge them as "not pulled together".

I lump them with people who come to work every day with wrinkly clothes, wet hair, or who always need to go out at get breakfast after arriving at work. I feel like some things you need to learn to get together as an adult and if you can't keep your hands out of your mouth - I assume you have other impulse control, anxiety, or ADD issues I don't want to deal with.

I should add that I'm a former nail biter (quit in college) and a former smoker who actually has diagnosed ADD. So I know it's tough to quit.
OP - you can try keeping a gentle nail file (very fine grit) and some hand lotion in your desk and purse. When you want to bite, use your file to correct the imperfection you see. Or rub on lotion to soothe yourself by touching your hands. Also get several pairs of cuticle nippers so you aren't tempted to pick or rip at hangnails.

[Anonymous]

Lifelong nail biter here. I was an anxious/nervous child who turned into an anxious adult. Now I find I dont bite them so much as a I pick at them. It's like a release.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do it. I love how it feels. It is totally relaxing but I hate how unprofessional it looks and wish I could stop. I do it more as a self stim and not because of anxiety,

Non-nailbiter here, and that is the thing I don't get: I do not see the appeal at all. And because I don't, I don't think I'm entitled to an opinion about it, other than being a little icked out by the saliva-germs factor.