Etiquette Past vs. Present: Primping in Public

January 15, 2009

Many of us take public transportation to and from work, which makes me think you've been witness to women primping on the bus or the train a few times too many. Public grooming has always been a pet peeve of mine, and as it turns out, Emily Post agrees:

"Let your grooming wait. Quickly combing your hair or freshening lipstick won't offend, but peforming your morning grooming routine on public transportation — or, more dangerously, in your car — is something to avoid."

Are you in agreement with us as well, that making yourself presentable should be done behind closed doors?

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45 Comments

HoneyBrown1976 4 years 17 weeks

Touching up make-up or hair is one thing, but doing a full-on make-up session is not cute.

Beastiegirl5 4 years 17 weeks

Lipgloss or powdering your nose in public (but never at the table) is fine. But my big peeve is getting behind the woman who is putting on eyeshadow/liner/mascara in the car. Yes, you're at a red light, but it turns green and they still do it, swerving around. Do it at home, or duck into the restroom when you get to where you need to be. But don't endanger others because you're late. (I'm known to put the bare minimum on at home and then hit the bathroom when I get to work when I'm running late. Suddenly I look so refreshed on my break- I blame it on the caffeine!)

austerity 4 years 18 weeks

I totally second cfp. Duh, you don't want anyone thinking you actually need that much makeup! ;)

LoveSarah 4 years 18 weeks

Like dear said, touching up your lipstick or quickly combing through your hair is fine. Heck, you can even put a little powder on your face. But to do your whole make up and beauty routine in public is just tacky.

PiNkY PiNk 4 years 18 weeks

I don't care as long as the person isn't driving. I do my makeup sometimes in the car while my bf is driving and I couldn't care less if someone is bothered or grossed out.

PiNkY PiNk 4 years 18 weeks

I don't care as long as the person isn't driving. I do my makeup sometimes in the car while my bf is driving and I couldn't care less if someone is bothered or grossed out.

Autumns_Elegy 4 years 18 weeks

I used to do my makeup on the bus on my way to school. I found it really difficult, it's only 'annoying' because it takes so long.I have done my lipstick on the train though, I just hunkered down in my seat and did it before the carriage filled up, so I didn't have to worry about being bumped or hitting anyone with my lip brush.If someone were plucking their eyebrows or squeezing a zit in public then I'd be grossed out. I leave that to when I'm home.Anything which involves discarded body parts is really foul. Giving yourself a manicure in public for instance.Doing my makeup in the car is alright, as long as I'm not driving. If I am then it's done before I get into the car. Regardless of how late I'll be, I'd rather have a quick dash of eyeliner and be driving safely then try and handle my foundation while zooming down the expressway.

Autumns_Elegy 4 years 18 weeks

I used to do my makeup on the bus on my way to school. I found it really difficult, it's only 'annoying' because it takes so long. I have done my lipstick on the train though, I just hunkered down in my seat and did it before the carriage filled up, so I didn't have to worry about being bumped or hitting anyone with my lip brush. If someone were plucking their eyebrows or squeezing a zit in public then I'd be grossed out. I leave that to when I'm home. Anything which involves discarded body parts is really foul. Giving yourself a manicure in public for instance. Doing my makeup in the car is alright, as long as I'm not driving. If I am then it's done before I get into the car. Regardless of how late I'll be, I'd rather have a quick dash of eyeliner and be driving safely then try and handle my foundation while zooming down the expressway.

Hiding55 4 years 18 weeks

Merie, you're so right about hair. Other peoples hair totally grosses me out. Yuck.

merie33 4 years 18 weeks

I think brushing your hair on a public transportation thing would be more gross than doing your makeup! I can't stand when people play with their hair and have the loose ones going all over the place...I don't want the stranger next to me getting her hair on my jacket!

psterling 4 years 18 weeks

If you need a mirror, just don't do it in public. its that simple

DevonJade 4 years 18 weeks

I've never done it, but I really couldn't care less if someone primps in public. I have better things to do and bigger things to think about. The fact that the girl across from me is doing her makeup isn't worth passing judgement on, and is really none of my business.

MegN 4 years 18 weeks

I don't understand why it's gross/tacky/irritating. It's not getting in my way, I don't care. So what if I would rather read a book on the bus? Mind you I find most primping to be a waste of time in general, if you're going to completely redo your face might as well do it on the bus and that way it's time you would have wasted anyway.

MegN 4 years 18 weeks

I don't understand why it's gross/tacky/irritating. It's not getting in my way, I don't care. So what if I would rather read a book on the bus?Mind you I find most primping to be a waste of time in general, if you're going to completely redo your face might as well do it on the bus and that way it's time you would have wasted anyway.

cupcake_ 4 years 18 weeks

I always do my makeup at home before I leave - always always always make sure I have enough time to do it in the morning. I do touchups during the day but I always try to make sure I'm alone while I do it. But I don't care if someone else puts on make up in front of me - doesn't bother me at all but to each their own.

genesisrocks 4 years 18 weeks

A swipe of lipstick's fine but I hate when people go all out with concealer and mascara. It's just too much and I think it makes you look shallow

xopiperxo 4 years 18 weeks

i could care less.

xopiperxo 4 years 18 weeks

i could care less.

gooniette 4 years 18 weeks

I'll brush my hair and freshen my lipstick, but anything more than that is done at home or in a bathroom (like if I have a big pimple that just Has to be covered up or disposed of). I don't mind if other people feel the need to do more though as long as it doesn't involve copious amounts of perfume. I don't want to smell like another person.

gooniette 4 years 18 weeks

bengalspice 4 years 18 weeks

I'm just waiting for someone to poke their eye with a mascara brush or liquid eyeliner brush so I can point and laugh at them on the train.

bluebird 4 years 18 weeks

If you're in a rush, I don't see why it's a big deal to do your makeup on the bus or something. In a car would be far too distracting.I can't really say much else here, because I only wear eye makeup and it takes me under five minutes to get everything presentable.

bluebird 4 years 18 weeks

If you're in a rush, I don't see why it's a big deal to do your makeup on the bus or something. In a car would be far too distracting. I can't really say much else here, because I only wear eye makeup and it takes me under five minutes to get everything presentable.

RockAndRepublic 4 years 18 weeks

Tacky as hell, actually. Can't find a bathroom some where?

meeshee 4 years 18 weeks

i don't understand what's so annoying about it. i get that if the person in front of u is driving and is wasting time, it could be annoying, but other than that, as long as it's not hindering you in any way, i don't think anything is wrong with grooming in public! hell, i do it! :P

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