Daily Dose of Common Sense

I don’t understand really long fingernails.

How can you accomplish anything quickly with long talons at the end of your fingers. Every day, you use your hands to grab, touch, sign, collect, wash…whatever. Long nails only get in the way. And, I’m not talking long nails. I’m talking about loooong nails.

In 2008, a woman made media headlines when she complained that the iPhone’s touch screen was hard to use with long fingernails. She even went as far as to call Apple “misogynistic.” I guess cutting her nails was out of the question. Instead, let’s just expect the product manufacturer to redesign the mousetrap to accommodate us. Makes sense, right? (I’d like an iPhone that will also clean bathrooms. Let me know when it’s ready.)

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It never fails: A subway car is packed to the gills and some knucklehead still has a giant backpack on. If you commute by anything other than a car, or if you’re frequently around tourist attractions, you have likely had the same unhappy experience at some point.

A lot of backpack wearers never take the pack off. Ever. So, even in a crowd, the big ‘ol backpack is whacking people in the face, back, or chest. The owner usually seems oblivious and continues to barrel on through the crowd.

What is it with you backpackers? Have some consideration for the rest of us!

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Unveiled at Fashion Week 2010 was the “sweater-kini.” Yes, that’s a sweater bikini. Just perfect for summer, ladies! Besides uncomfortable and impractical, they aren’t very attractive.

I love the Daily News’ description:

Firstly, the pool water would surely shrink this onerous one-piece around your body. And HELLO, ever hand-washed a cardigan? You need a forklift just to hang the thing to dry.

Plus, anyone who’s ever gotten doused by a rainstorm while wearing a sweater knows that no amount of Chanel No. 5 can cover that wet dog smell.

Seems obvious that the designer, Victoria Bartlett, did this only for publicity and not for sale. (Which is the same with most all high fashion and couture designs.) But, this is so beyond a high ruffle or too-short dress. I wonder if the models on the runway experienced any chafing?

[Via PatsPapers]

If you’re a fan of wearing your PJs in public, be glad you don’t live in Shanghai or in Cardiff, Wales.

With the World Expo 2010 looming, officials in Shanghai have launched a campaign encouraging citizens to leave their pajamas at home. If you look at the photos, it’s hard to see what the fuss is about. The pajamas look quite respectable: They match, they’re bright and colorful, and we don’t see any obvious stains or signs of wear. I mean, most people don’t have PJs this nice.

A grocery store in Wales is now refusing service to anyone shopping while wearing PJs. I understand that a few folks might be uncomfortable at the thought of someone, fresh from bed, frolicking amongst the cantaloupe in his or her night clothes. However, there isn’t much difference between pajamas and most of the casual “workout” clothes you see people wearing all the time. In fact, athletic clothes are usually tight, and some of the folks wearing said outfits should be in much, much looser clothing.

It can be a hard call, too. Some pajamas don’t look like pajamas, and some regular clothes might be confused for PJs. How can you really be sure?

I would much, MUCH rather see people in loose-fighting, tasteful pajamas than some of the outfits I’ve seen while shopping in Target and Walmart. Not to pick on those two fine retail establishments, but…well, there’s a web site you can check for verification. We made fun of the “pajama/jean” concept here, but perhaps this is a just a bigger trend to get us all in pajamas 24/7. (Sure would come in handy after a big meal!) So, lighten up on the PJs, folks. It could be worse.

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