A debate has erupted over whether filing nails on public transport is acceptable. Charlie Sawyer, a lifestyle reporter who carries a nail file everywhere, shared her habit on social media and faced backlash. Londoner Ahmed Abdallah, 32, called it 'vile,' comparing it to trimming nose hair on the Tube and spreading 'nail dandruff.' One commenter said it was 'easily one of the top five things they hate most in life.'
Divided Opinions on Public Transport Etiquette
A Reddit thread on the topic showed mixed views. Some deemed nail filing 'gross' and 'impolite,' while others were unbothered. Many concluded it wasn't ideal but came with the territory of public transport. Research indicates up to 95 different bacterial strains can be found across the Tube network, making nail dust relatively minor. As @max_power_332 noted: 'If you think a bit of fingernail dust is the worst thing on a train, then I don’t know what to tell you.'
TikTok Trends and Personal Beautification
Online trends like #girlhood and #womeninstem feature videos of 'doing my nails on the train' or 'the commute glow up.' Unlike clipping nails in public, which is generally seen as private, filing or painting nails falls under personal beautification, similar to applying lipstick on the Tube. However, some may not realize how much it affects others nearby.
Is Nail Filing Unhygienic?
Filing nails shaves off tiny keratin particles mixed with leftover polish and dead skin cells, creating white dust. While generally harmless, not everyone wants to sit in a cloud of dead skin cells in a poorly ventilated space. The dust is unlikely to cause health issues but can be off-putting.
Misophonia: A Sensory Trigger
For some, aversion to nail filing goes beyond disgust. Dr Tom Graham, a Counselling Psychologist specializing in misophonia, explains that this condition involves decreased tolerance to specific sounds. About 18.4% of the UK population have significant misophonia symptoms. Trigger sounds like chewing, sniffing, and 'rough sounds' like nail filing can cause intense anger, panic, or disgust. A 2023 study found that 85% of the population felt irritation at loud eating, but among those with misophonia, 99% experienced panic and anger. The distress can begin before the sound occurs, as anticipation of the trigger is distressing.
Managing Misophonia
Dr Graham uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help patients manage reactions, such as playing games centered on trigger sounds or creating backstories for the person making the noise. For someone with misophonia, a commute manicure can be the most distressing part of their journey.
