Fingernail Phenomenon

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Recommended: Self-identity and fashion

In late September, I went shopping for my seven-year-old cousin. The first place was Toys R Us. After finding what I needed, I went to the checkout line to purchase the items. I thought something was wrong with me, but it was the cashier. The first things I saw were ten lime-green fingernails. They matched her lime-green shirt, which matched her shorts, which matched her socks that matched her shoes. I started to ask her, "Why did you do that to your fingernails?" but I kept it to myself. Then I went to the 99-cent store in Cutler Ridge Mall. Not surprisingly, the cashier was also wearing an outfit with matching fingernails. So I asked her, "Why did you paint your fingernails the same color as your clothes?" She giggled, then replied, "Because it completes the outfit." "So, what happens if you buy an outfit in a color you don't have in nail polish?" I asked. She paused with a puzzled look on her face. I stated, "Thank you, and have a nice day." and walked off. Is this a requirement to be a cashier? Do men have this obsession? Why is it important for one to spend extra time doing the unnecessary? The greatly overlooked fingernails play an important role in everyday life, are examples of the way we learn, and have introduced an unknown creativity to many.

Most women view their fingernails as jewelry. On an evening when pure elegance is required, one would rarely see a woman without a manicure. A man's fingernails would almost always look the way they did on the previous day. Every Saturday morning, manicure shops around the world are booked, from open to close, by women who want to be completed for the next week. Why is this needed for one's appearance to be complete? It is just one more cover for a woman's insecurities. Like makeup, the fingernails are dressed up to distract someone from their natural beauty. The nails are used as a stool in order to meet the standard of the "perfect look." Nails tend to be one of the first things women look for on other women to see if they are being "outdone." And if so, then the next time around, the second best must be the best, instead of being naturally beautiful. Women in general are naturally beautiful, but because of certain ads in television, and in magazines, they feel as though perfection is where beauty lies.

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