It's amazing what you see on a long-haul subway trek: this morning, I glimpsed not one, but two women openly primping themselves on mass transit. The first applied lipliner – during a herky-jerky ride, no less (I've no idea how she did it without smearing it all over her face) while the second lass powdered her nose and combed her hair. Now, call me old-fashioned, but I prefer to keep my personal grooming to myself and behind closed doors (or at least, behind the doors of a public restroom). I'm not exactly sure why, but etiquette-wise, I just feel a little bothered by people gussying-up in full view of others. I think it's a matter of respecting others' personal space, really. But am I getting all bent out of shape for nothing?
What say you - is it ever appropriate to groom yourself in public?
Photo by Jupiter Images
10 comments:
NO! No no no no no NO!!!
People who groom themselves in public give me the heebie jeebies. Other than re-applying lipstick/lipgloss, this type of maintenance should definitely be done in a restroom or some other private place.
I ride the bus with a very obnoxious case; this woman is older (probably late 50s), and makes herself a nuisance by pushing and shoving her way to the front of the bus line so that she can make certain she gets herself a seat. (I don't think the courtesy of deferring to handicapped or pregnant ladies would occur to her in her frenzy...) THEN, once seated, she whips out her makeup bag and proceeds to do the whole works.
To me it's just disgusting. Not only are you drawing attention to yourself in a wholly inappropriate manner (which a true lady never does,) you're subjecting your routine to countless germs and bacteria. Why would you want to put things on your face when you cannot even wash your hands and keep it clean?
Not only is it bad manners, it's also just bad hygiene.
GROSS!!!
Hmmm....For the most part, I only reapply lipgloss, and maybe powder my t-zone if it is shiny, and then only in the privacy of my office at work. But a full face, uh, no!
However, I have been guilty of doing my makeup in the car while hubby is driving if we are in a rush or something. But, we have tinted windows, and that is in EXTREME circumstances....
I will admit, I am guilty of doing a full face in homeroom during last term. Luckily, the teacher and my classmates didn't mind, since we're all friends and [oddly enough] they like asking questions when I do makeup.
But outside, or on a bus? Neh...I'll powder and apply gloss, and make sure my beret isn't crooked. But that's about it.
And by the way - you've officially been tagged! All the details are on my blog. :]
Oh, and to Mrs. P&C:
That lady just sounds horrendous. Full face on the bus? Icky!
i usually try to leave the house with my makeup applied, but i have to admit that i did apply most of my makeup on the subway once. i've seen other people doing the same and frankly, it doesn't bother me much. I know people can be stretched for time, so if you have this extra 1/2 hour or more where you're not doing anything, why not? it's trickier to apply makeup in a moving vehicle, but if you're keeping everything in your lap, i don't see the problem.
however, i do think you need to use common sense and courtesy. if i didn't have a seat on the subway or felt that space was an issue, i wouldn't be obnoxious about it.
I would have a problem with someone brushing their hair in public - especially if i'm sitting next to them. hair can get everywhere, especially if you're brushing/combing it out.
Lipstick or gloss is it!!
At one point I rode the subway at the same time as this woman who did the whole works - you would hardly recognize the before and after (she had a lot of redness that used lots of concealer on, plus a ton of eye makeup)!! What's worse is that it's a little like a train wreck - you don't want to watch but you can't quite stop yourself. And to add insult, once she saw me looking at her and I got the dirtiest look! It was like hello, how can you not expect me to look as you make a spectacle of yourself!!!
Now there has been times where I have had to touch up more than lipstick in a public bathroom (I am NAKED without mascara) but when I have done that I am always alone in the room - I refuse to do that if anyone else is there.
Too bad this 'ladies' just don't realize how gauche they are...
I'd have to go with Tammy. A bit of powder or lip gloss is ok, especially if you don't have the time to freshen up before arriving somewhere. Brushing your hair is not (some hair is bound to fall out!), and lip liner etc. are NOT freshening up.
I never do it myself because I don't like people staring at me for all the wrong reasons. And they do stare, well, at least I do, I just can’t look away. I love watching other people do their make up, it’s fascinating, everyone has their own technique, etc.
i have to say that medina was able to perfectly voice why i don't turn away when i see women applying make-up on the subway/bus.
i can't help it, i am fascinated. applying make-up is such a nerve wracking experience for me -at home while sitting comfortably- that i just cannot understand how these women don't poke themselves in the eye. to the contrary, they leave the subway looking as if it was a cake walk.
Putting on lipstick in public is ok. Everything else is completely inappropriate and boarderline gross.
My question is, what is "in public"? In the washroom of a bar or club? Not really. I would never put make-up on the bus or the subway. That's icky. Bad hygene. On several occations I have done my full face morning make-up in the bathroom of an airport, when I had to get up real early to check in 2 hrs before my flight leaves. But I look to see that there's not alot of ppl around before I do that.
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