diff --git a/applications/examples/static/css/stupid.css b/applications/examples/static/css/stupid.css
index 8514b403..0c8c25d7 100644
--- a/applications/examples/static/css/stupid.css
+++ b/applications/examples/static/css/stupid.css
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ header, footer {with:100%}
 /*** forms ***/
 input:not([type]), input:not([type=checkbox]):not([type=radio]):not([type=button]):not([type=submit]), [type=file]:before {outline:none; padding:0.5em 1em; margin:0.5px; border-bottom:1px solid #ddd; width:100%}
 textarea {width:100%; border:1px solid #ddd; padding:4px 8px; outline:none; outline:none}
-select {-webkit-appearance:none; outline:none; padding:0.5em 1em; border-radius:0; margin:0.5px; border-bottom:1px solid #ddd}
+select {-webkit-appearance:none; outline:none; padding:0.5em 1em; border-radius:0; margin:0.5px; border-bottom:1px solid #ddd; width:100%;background-color:transparent}
 input, textarea, select, button {font-size:12px}
 input:not([type]):hover, input:not([type=checkbox]):not([type=radio]):not([type=button]):not([type=submit]):hover, select:hover, textarea:hover {background-color:#fbf6d9; transition:background-color 1s ease}
 input:invalid, input.error {background:#cc1f00!important;color:white}
diff --git a/gluon/dal.py b/gluon/dal.py
index 9fb8ceb5..1c2a76fe 100644
--- a/gluon/dal.py
+++ b/gluon/dal.py
@@ -72,12 +72,13 @@ def _default_validators(db, field):
         if not field.notnull:
             requires = validators.IS_EMPTY_OR(requires)
         return requires
+    # does not get here for reference and list:reference
     if field.unique:
-        requires.append(validators.IS_NOT_IN_DB(db, field))
-
-    if field.notnull or field.unique and not field_type in ['string','boolean']:
+        requires.insert(0,validators.IS_NOT_IN_DB(db, field))
+    excluded_fields = ['string','upload','text','password','boolean']
+    if (field.notnull or field.unique) and not field_type in excluded_fields:
         requires.insert(0,validators.IS_NOT_EMPTY())
-    elif not field.notnull and requires:
+    elif not field.notnull and not field.unique and requires:
         requires[0] = validators.IS_EMPTY_OR(requires[0])
     return requires