First of all, I hate my toes. I’ve spent nearly my entire life trying to cover them up. Shopping for summer shoes is a chore as I try to find sandals that showcase them in the least awful light. Pedicures require a person getting up close and personal with my toes. No thank you.
I feel sorry for pedicurists. What an awful job, having to see all those bunions, corns, and fungus-infested toenails. Scraping off dead skin and cutting too-thick cuticles. Ew.
I wonder what the pedicurists are talking about amongst themselves, since usually I can’t understand their language. How ugly my toes are? How spoiled are American women? I doubt they’re saying how much they love their jobs.
On the rare occasions I get a pedicure, I almost always notice a tiny dot of fungus on a toenail after I remove the polish, which I then spend days dousing with bleach and cutting off until no trace is left. I am suspicious that nail salons might intentionally give customers fungus to keep them coming back to cover it up, though it seems there is no evidence to back this theory.
I don’t really like wearing nail polish. It looks pretty, but I feel like my poor toenails are suffocating under it. When the polish comes off, my nails appear an unhealthy hew of yellow. Poor things unable to see the light.
I worry that I might inadvertently be contributing to human trafficking. Are the pedicurists forced to work for free, in servitude, in exchange for the promise of the American Dream? There is no way of knowing.
For these reasons, I do my own pedicures, except for special occasions, such as summer weddings, or rare instances of recklessness when I’m willing to risk fungus or ridicule for a few moments of being spoiled.
I leave you with a clip from the Seinfeld episode of Elaine at a Korean nail shop, because nowadays we could use a little lightness. As always, I welcome your comments.
Most of the days I prefer a natural look for my toes and get pedicure done right before vacation. I am surprised about the fungus because they suppose to sterilize all the instruments. Maybe you are super sensitive to that.
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You could be right, Svet. Or maybe I worried it into existence!
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I love that Seinfeld clip! That’s the main reason I refuse to get a pedicure. That and the fact that I don’t want strangers touching my feet. It’s too weird.
I really enjoyed reading this!
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Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate you reading and I’m glad you enjoyed.
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My feet are definitely not one of my good features and I’d rather just cover them up but I wear sandals in the summer and try not to give them any thought.
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I hear you. Fortunately, the older I get the less I care. But I do at least want filed nails and smooth skin, so I file and douse with lotion at bedtime, which is so relaxing before bed. Telecommuting during COVID has allowed me to be barefoot everyday for months and I am loving the freedom. I usually wear heels at work.
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That was one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes! And one I always think about the few times I go to a nail salon…..
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Hard not to think of it!
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Kim, what’s up with all the fungus? That’s a problem. At the place I go to, they always pull the things out of a package. Also, I can see why you dislike going. It sounds as if your experience is the opposite of relaxing lol
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I don’t know. It’s always just a teeny, tiny spot. I’m able to cut it off, no problems after that. This happens no matter where I’ve gone. Maybe I’m just prone.
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I’ve never had a pedicure in my life. And never will. Not that I care! My hubby always says I could practically type with my toes, they’re so long! 😁
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I can completely relate, Miriam!
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I also have never had a real pedicure. This post makes me think that I haven’t missed much.
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The foot massage is great, the rest I can do without! It takes so long, too.
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