I used to be a nail-biter when I was younger, my nails were always paper thin. When I was pregnant with my 5-year-old the prenatal vitamins made them thicker and they were more difficult to bite (actually painful at times because they would end up ripping too short and I'd end up bleeding, ouch).

They seem to be thicker now (better diet, less junk food, etc. the reason maybe?) and there is usually about 1/4 inch of white on the ends. If I break one, I clip them all otherwise they drive me nuts. I don't usually paint them unless it's a shmancy occasion or my 15-year-old step-daughter feels like giving me a manicure. The polish is usually half pealed off by the end of the first day so it's a waste of my time.

a low amount of calcium can also be the cause of thin nails, which in turn goes with the above said dietary things.

White... on fingernails? There was only about a 2-3 week span mine ever had that.. and that is only because I was temporarily incapacitated at the time. Otherwise, I sit and peel the nails away. My regular doc checked my calcium level and it turns out I'm just one of those people who was born with thin nails.

White Tiger,
I cut my feet and finger nails from hygiene point. If the finger nails are not looking well (long or cut) then your whole appearance doesn't look good. You can never be at home in a party with bad looking fingernails. Badly managed fingernails can also give you no sleep, you may have to wake up cut or clean them and then only can you get back to sleep.

Inspiring topic can keep talking for entire life. You can be successful with just this and no need for anything.

Okay...

In india in marriages the bridegroom (in islam I think) colors his nails. Coloring the nails is also done by mehendi by girls and boys which is very popular in India. You can tell me if there is any hygienic purpose in coloring with mehendi because I have seen this since a child any girl might know it instantly.

I cut my nails just past the fingertip, but have taken to polishing them. Long fingernails would never work, for me, since I am usually typing or working with my hands.