How can I get people to leave me alone about my nail biting?

I am so tired of it. I understand that I do it to the extreme (in one case, the nail only reaches about 1/3 of the way to the top of my finger) however I am very hygienic and wash my hands often (especially before biting). To be honest, they are so short there isn't much room for dirt to accumulate anyway. I am very healthy, my teeth are perfect, I have not had even a common cold in 3 years and have never been seriously sick (I have been biting my nails my whole life - I'm 22). I am a professional pianist, and others in my faculty at University tell me that it is why my fingers are so short. But to me that is something I can work around.





I don't care about the look of nails on others or myself and since I do not bother them about habits of theirs that are probably worse (smoking, for example) I want to them to leave me in peace to do what I enjoy.





What can I say to make them stop bothering me?

How can I get people to leave me alone about my nail biting?
i wish i knew. i have had the same problem. once, someone actually smacked my hand out of my mouth.





nail biting is so addictive, more so than my pack-a-day cigerrette habit i had for 10 years (which i quit, but the nails haven't been so easy!!)





anyway, i guess just remember that it grosses some people out, and try to do it in private. as much as i love to chew, i realize it's not attractive, or considered the most hygenic thing!! good luck, wish me the same!
Reply:Don't nibble in their presence and the rest is not their business
Reply:start biting theirs
Reply:stop it
Reply:Bite your toenails instead.
Reply:tell them everyone has their habits and this one probably helps you in some way (nerves, etc.).





that or your could start biting your toenails
Reply:First off if you bite your finger nails in the way you describe you have a psychological problem and people feel concerned for your mental welfare.





Secondly you say you are a professional pianist. If you have been trained to be one then your teachers have badly let you down as you cannot possibly play either well or correctly with fingernails in that state. No professional musician would survive with such a problem.





What can you do to get them to stop bothering you? Simple stop biting your nails.





Reading your question though the obvious answer before that is that you need to grow up!!!
Reply:tell them your hungry and get on your way!!!
Reply:When you find out, let me know....From one nail biter to another.
Reply:if you dont think its a problem then it shouldnt be theirs.





You might have the personality where people feel comfortable to give you advice. and unless you tell them that thier advice is no needed, they will keep saying it until you stand up for yourself.





on the other hand, i think it is a hygiene problem and it makes you look insecure. nail biting is a security blanket. it helps release you when you are stressed and helps comfort you when you feel uptight...so it shows your emotion, which could be looked at as a weakness. that is why people may judge you, or say something to you.





i suggest you tell people to butt out in a nice way.





or if u want to stop, find an incentive. i made a deal with my bf if he stopped biting his nails, hed get a reward. and it helped. Ever since then, he likes his nails longer.