Nail Biting

[benguino]

So this is a disgusting habit I've had ever since I was extremely young, I can't remember not having this habit. I used to have a few more disgusting habits, but I have managed to get rid of them throughout the years, but this one I can't seem to get rid of >.<

Here are my nails:

As you can see, they are not pretty at all :/ Now I know that having nails helps you out a lot in life, whether it's opening a can of soda, or playing ffr for some people, or whathaveyou. All of these little benefits I can live without though. However, what I'm primarily worried about is how my nail-biting will affect my future/opportunities. Do you think it is likely that I would not get the job because of the bad shape of my nails? Should I worry about repelling potential colleagues? I've learned to be very discrete and secretive with my nail biting so not many people actually know that I bite my nails upon actually seeing them and asking.

tl;dr: Should I be concerned about my nail biting and if so, what tips do you have for me to be able to stop?

[Arkuski]

Re: Nail Biting

My gf does this all the time and then complains that her fingers get cut up. Don't worry about it dude just wear oven mitts for a while.

[Tarrik]

Re: Nail Biting

I nail bite too, but also the skin around my fingers sometimes..My fingers look worse lol.

I think stopping is a matter of how long you've had the habit for, I've had it since i was around 6 ..And i've tried to stop many times but as soon as i see them grow out a decent amount.. You get where i'm going.

[tosh]

Re: Nail Biting

Started nail biting when I was like 8 (was struggling with an ingrown nail and my mom was like "why don't you just bite it?"). Stopped when I was around 14 or so, but then my dad told me my nails were too long. That made me self-conscious about them and I started biting them again.

Recently stopped biting them. Not out of a "oh I need to stop biting my nails" mindset, but just that I stopped thinking about it. Looks and feels much better.

[Cavernio]

Re: Nail Biting

Who gives a shit about bitten nails or how your nails looks at all?

Actually, husband used to cut his nails so they'd be square or even slightly concave instead of convex and it drove me nuts. As to bitten nails, if I see someone whose nails are overly bitten I tend to think 'that looks painful' and it can bother me if I see them trying to use their fingertips for a job done much better by finger nails, like picking off tape from something. Makes me want to tear the thing from their hands and de-tape it myself sort of thing.
I never learned to wield scissors in my left hand, so my fingernails all have the bitten look anyways, as that's the only way I shorten them. Idgaf

[Izzy]

Re: Nail Biting

It's not just about the nails being really short. Nail biters often start biting skin to where the tips of your fingers are worn down.

[Mollocephalus]

Re: Nail Biting

I sometimes bite the side of the nail, but it's not noticeable at all. Since i was little i learned to cut my nails with nail scissors and most of my female friends are even jealous of my hands and nails

[Charu]

Re: Nail Biting

Your appearance for a job is important, but I highly doubt the very first thing any employer/co-worker/customer/whoever will do is look at your nails unless it's really-really noticeable, lol.

Looking at your picture, it doesn't even look that bad actually. Now I would be concerned if you have funky shapes going on with your nails (like having pointed nails that could literally cut things or extreme long nails).

Also think it's silly you think co-workers will instantly stay away from you if had bizarre nails.

Meh, I think short answer is don't worry too much about it unless it's physically noticeable from a distance.

[danny53x]

Re: Nail Biting

I always thought bitten nails looked cool, but I never realized really short nails were probably bitten (it sounds dangerous and unclean). So I've always just trimmed my nails really short to look like they've been bitten without realizing it. I feel like whatever I use my fingers for have more precision with a fine cut nail line. And yeah, an employer or coworker or anyone won't mind how your nails look; they'll mind you sticking your fingers in your mouth though. So just do it when people aren't looking

[rushyrulz]

Re: Nail Biting

I bite my nails too, but the way I do it doesn't leave them looking bad at all. In fact, I even prefer the look over when I clip them.

And for the job interview thing, if I were an employer, I would hire someone who bit their nails 20 times over someone who didn't trim their nails at all. (as long as they had the same qualifications, of course)

[Wayward Vagabond]

Re: Nail Biting

biting nails is so YUCK!!!!!!!!!!

[FoJaR]

Re: Nail Biting

I can't stand nail clippers, but I only bite when my nails get long

[Wayward Vagabond]

Re: Nail Biting

the only thing bad about nail clippers is that they can't really be sharpened when they get dull. dull nail clippers are the WORST!!!!!

[Spenner]

Re: Nail Biting

the only thing bad about nail clippers is that they can't really be sharpened when they get dull. dull nail clippers are the WORST!!!!!

If they're the ones that leave you with jagged edges, or with strings of nails that you have to pull across the nail with the clipper, aslfkjafk. I hate that.

[clasko1000]

Re: Nail Biting

I cant stop. Tried. It doesn't work. IDK, i think you will be fine. Just try to cut back on it, you should be in the clear as long as your fingers aren't bloody.