A professional is a worker required to possess a large body of knowledge derived from extensive academic study (usually tertiary), with the training almost always formalized.
Professionals are at least to a degree self-regulating, in that they control the training and evaluation processes that admit new persons to the field, and in judging whether the work done by their members is up to standard. This differs from other kinds of work where regulation (if considered necessary) is imposed by the state, or where official quality standards are often lacking. Professions have some historical links to guilds in these regards.
Professionals usually have autonomy in the workplace—they are expected to utilize their independent judgement and professional ethics in carrying out their responsibilities.[4] This holds true even if they are employees instead of working on their own. Typically a professional provides a service (in exchange for payment or salary), in accordance with established protocols for licensing, ethics, procedures, standards of service and training / certification.
The above definitions were echoed by economist and sociologist Max Weber, who noted that professions are defined by the power to exclude and control admission to the profession, as well as by the development of a particular vocabulary specific to the occupation, and at least somewhat incomprehensible to outsiders.[citation needed]
Therefore it would be appropriate to state that a 'true' professional must be proficient in all criteria for the field of work they are practising professionally in. Criteria to include following categories: 1. Highest Academic Qualifications ie University College/Institute 2. Expert and Specialised Knowledge in field which one is practising Professionally 3 Excellent manual/practical & literary skills in relation to Profession working in 4 High Quality work in either/or: {egs}: creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing or other work endeavours 5 High Standard of Professional Ethics, Behaviour and Work Activities while carrying out one's Profession { as an employee, self-employed person, enterprise, business, company, or partnership/associate/colleague etc } ADDITIONAL WHERE APPROPRIATE: Reasonable amount of professional working experience in either/or of the above capacities in fields of work one has Professional Qualifications...

Without sounding condescending, patronizing or unprofessional (or any other word you care to call it), could you please arrange your posts into some logical paragraphs so it is easy for us to read.

I'm sure, whatever point you are trying to make is valid, but it's extremely difficult to read when it runs together like that.

And your point is ?
Am i missing something here?

I prefer the Oxford English Dictionary which of course explains the word professional both as an adjective and as a noun.

For those who are not sure - those school days may have been a long time ago!!

An adjective - is a word used to describe a person, place or thing and
a noun - is the person, place or thing.

• adjective 1 relating to or belonging to a profession. 2 engaged in an activity as a paid occupation rather than as an amateur. 3 worthy of or appropriate to a professional person; competent.

• noun 1 a professional person. 2 a person having impressive competence in a particular activity.

So my understanding is that a person employing incompetent methods during a particular activity (such as etching a natural nail plate with a 100 grit file and thereby causing damage to that nail plate) is not a professional or (adjective .. behaving in an unprofessional manner). Just as I have already said.

Interestingly here is the meaning of the word ETCH as in etching the surface of something -

• verb 1 engrave. 2 corrode the surface of. 3 cut into the surface of.

Again you have lacked the ability to prove where this causes damage if done properly. You can say that I am behaving unprofessional and I would expect nothing less of you because unless someone agrees with your beliefs they are unprofessional. Is what ever method one chooses to employee incompetent methods, well again I would have to say that is again opinion, not fact. Because you can not seem to take your blinders off you will never see my points and intern will continue to slam and name call. What ever. My state has very high regulations in which I go above and beyond. I have never once caused any damage in any of my services. My clients take their nails off all the time, they call it breathing even though I have explained to them that your nails do not have lungs and can not breath, and guess what! They are amazed at how there is no damage what so ever to their nails. They are in the same condition they were when they first got the nails put on. Again I will state that we all have our own ways of doing things and will never agree on everything. That does not make a person unprofessional or not a professional at all. It just makes us different. Next you will be saying that the opi competition team that uses electric files to etch the nail with are not professionals either.



Since you would prefer both here you go.


pro·fes·sion·al (pr-fsh-nl)
adj. 1. a. Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession: lawyers, doctors, and other professional people.
b. Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional behavior.

2. Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career: a professional writer.
3. Performed by persons receiving pay: professional football.
4. Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional repair job.

n. 1. A person following a profession, especially a learned profession.
2. One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation: hired a professional to decorate the house.
3. A skilled practitioner; an expert.


Noun1.professional - a person engaged in one of the learned professions professional person
professional organisation, professional organization - an organization of and for professional people

adult, grownup - a fully developed person from maturity onward

careerist - a professional who is intent on furthering his or her career by any possible means and often at the expense of their own integrity

craftsman - a professional whose work is consistently of high quality; "as an actor he was a consummate craftsman"

critic - a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

educator, pedagog, pedagogue - someone who educates young people

caregiver, health care provider, health professional, PCP, primary care provider - a person who helps in identifying or preventing or treating illness or disability

attorney, lawyer - a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

bibliothec, librarian - a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services

practician, practitioner - someone who practices a learned profession

publisher - a person engaged in publishing periodicals or books or music

yuppie - a young upwardly mobile professional individual; a well-paid middle-class professional who works in a city and has a luxurious life style
2.professional - an athlete who plays for pay pro
athlete, jock - a person trained to compete in sports

free agent - (sports) a professional athlete who is free to sign a contract to play for any team

semipro, semiprofessional - an athlete who plays for pay on a part-time basis
amateur - an athlete who does not play for pay
3.professional - an authority qualified to teach apprentices master
authority - an expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an authority on corporate law"

past master - someone who was formerly a master
Adj.1.professional - engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood; "the professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications"; "began her professional career after the Olympics"; "professional theater"; "professional football"; "a professional cook"; "professional actors and athletes" nonprofessional - not professional; not engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or for gain; "the nonprofessional wives of his male colleagues"; "nonprofessional actors"
2.professional - of or relating to or suitable as a profession; "professional organizations"; "a professional field such as law"3.professional - characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession; "professional conduct"; "professional ethics"; "a thoroughly professional performance" unprofessional - not characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession; "described in unprofessional language so that high school students could understand it"; "was censured for unprofessional conduct"; "unprofessional repairs"
4.professional - of or relating to a profession; "we need professional advice"; "professional training"; "professional equipment for his new office"5.professional - engaged in by members of a profession; "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching" white-collar - of or designating salaried professional or clerical work or workers; "the coal miner's son aspired to a white-collar occupation as a bookkeeper"

My clients take their nails off all the time, they call it breathing even though I have explained to them that your nails do not have lungs and can not breath, and guess what! They are amazed at how there is no damage what so ever to their nails.


I was just wondering if for this you mean that the customers say this when you soak them off in the salon or are they taking them off at home when they think they need to 'breathe'?

speaking of closed ears !!! HELLO !!!

I said, that persons who cause damage using incompetent methods are acting unprofessionally according to both my dictionary and your dictionary.

To be a pro is to be highly educated and highly competent .... this from all dictionaries. Causing damage and harm is not highly competent.

It has been proved that etching the plate with a 100 grit file (however gently one uses it) causes damage. Whatever you may think, I have the pictures to prove it, taken under lab conditions.

I think it is the poster who lacks the ability to prove what she is saying about all her clients' nails being perfect after removal!! Not the other way around.

Maybe you also think Doug Schoon doesn't know anything either. A world renowned expert, acknowledged by all as the world renowned natural nail and product chemistry expert ... the photos were taken in his laboratory.

As for people being WRONG if they don't agree with MY OPINIONS?? ... what a stupid statement and a 'cheap shot' that deserves no more comment from moi!

BUT as for people disagreeing and disputing the PROVED FACTS ... now that really does show a lack of intelligence and proves that it is you and I who is not listening.

I assume that the debate of a dictionary definition is being carried on here in a different thread is because the poster of this thread is a tad put out.

I am amazed that anyone would choose to take personally, and then in my opinion, twist something that IS FACT

The last time the grit debate came up, out of curiosity I ran a 100 grit lightly across my own natural nail.

Whichever dictionary one refers to, to do the damage to a clients nails, after seeing the result on my own, could only be regarded as unprofessional by anyones standards.

State boards are not a great measuring stick for competency.

My real question is - if you firmly believe that a 100 grit abrasive does not cause damage to the nail... then I ask... why stop at 100? Why not go for 80?

Remember, facts form from qualified research. Even though this one didn't require Einstein, it has been well documented that etching the surface of the nail causes extensive, unnecessary damage. Causing unnecessary damage is unprofessional.

why even bother to make different grit files at all....!!!

Exactly... is it like:

"100 grits are safe and healthy for the natural nail" said the professional.

"How about an 80?" asked the narrator.

"ARE YOU FREAKING NUTS? Do I look like a serial killer to you?!? 80 grit will screw up the natural nail.... I would never be caught dead using one on a clients nails! I mean... its like 20 grits lower and all!!!" exclaimed the professional.

Just trying to understand where that 'line' is drawn.

I have to say that there is truth in what you say here. A licensing body is not necessarily 100% up to scratch (excuse the pun) on all information and facts! For example, I am currently studying at beauty college where we are taught that the eponychium and cuticle are the same thing ...... erm...... no they are not! I have to follow the syllabus but I am lucky enough to know the correct info, but my class mates know no different because this is what they are being taught at the beginning.

This is why I have found this site so helpful. I have learned loads here and it has spurred me on.

Rather than get angry and deffensive, embrace the valuable information shared on this site and benefit from it.

Obviously I've missed something because I'm a little confused by this thread.

Unsafe and Unsound and Utter Rubbish

hth's

Where has anyone lacked the ability to prove that using a 100 grit abrasive on natural nails will damage them? It cannot be done properly, as there is no 'proper' way to use a 100 grit abrasive on a natural nail!?

Also I would like to add, that these aren't Geeg's beliefs, they are facts, and proven ones at that!?!

If it is a fact why dispute it?