Misconceptions About Finger Chewing

It is widely assumed that one could not, should not, tear the flesh from one's fingers without 1) it hurting like hell, 2) it causing one to bleed all over the place, or 3) forcing one to rethink one's definition of cannibalism. This assumption is both short-sighted and incorrect.

When sufficiently stressed, the flesh of the fingers (especially winter fingers, all dry and crackly anyway) takes on a leathery consistency, not unlike that of a two-day-old zombie, or one of those poor humans in Ghosts of Mars who has been possessed by a sadomasochistic vapor. In this state, the flesh immediately surrounding the nail loses all feeling, making it easy (and satisfying!) to tear, and almost completely devoid of blood.*

Once you chew, you need not fear of lusting for other flesh (either your own or others'). Chewing one's fingers is more a question of maintenance (like pruning a plant!) and obsession (yay!) than one of fuel consumption. Some might argue that your actions are Donner-ish, but they forget one important distinction -- you do it by choice! Most likely, you will never be given the choice of eating other people, so you shouldn't worry your pretty little head about it -- at least while it's still attached to your body.

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* Not to be confused with hangnails. Those suck.