In some cultures, particularly in Asia at certain times, having long fingernails could be a social marker. It signified that the person did not perform strenuous manual labor. In a way, it was a subtle way of displaying one’s social status or type of work.
A long, clean fingernail indicated that the hands were not used for physical labor. Historically, it was therefore a symbol of comfort or social status.
Even though this meaning is less present today, certain cultural habits still exist.
Useful for certain specific activities
In some areas, long nails are actually useful. For example, some musicians who play stringed instruments use their nails to pluck the strings and produce a particular sound. The nail then becomes a true tool.
This is also found in some people who work in professions that require handling very thin or very small objects.
In these cases, it’s not a question of style, but of functionality.
