It seems that spitting is part of Chinese tradition. The Chinese government is trying its best to re-educate the populace towards its elimination before the Olympics begin.
It must have been a Genghis Ghan thing as it’s the same issue here. Men think nothing of spitting at your feet as you walk past here. It’s not just me, for other teachers also comment on how rude it is. ‘Rudeness’ is no doubt a subjective, cultural thing of course, but that doesn’t help me understand the phenomena of spitting. I know nose-blowing in Turkey is considered rude as I had some wry smiles from people when I blew my nose in a restaurant there. I later had this confirmed by other residents. It is probably rude here as well as I haven’t seen people using hankies. What is one supposed to do when you have winter sniffles? Spit on the street I guess.
2 responses so far ↓
1
Tanya
// Nov 28, 2007 at 9:53 am
Prohibition on spitting is a relatively new thing in the cultures I’ve had anything to do with. I can’t remember when it was prohibited in Australia, but think of it as being early last century. This article from BMJ briefly documents the history in Britain and the US http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/311/7021/1685 The article indicates it may have been 1914 in Britain. In Hong Kong, in 2002, legislation was introduced prohibiting spitting, with a $600 fine because “when a fine is imposed people learn more quickly.” I’m wondering if spitting has remained acceptible in places where TB was not so prevalent.
2
Heather
// Dec 12, 2007 at 8:54 am
Leigh, very interesting to read this item on spitting…where Michael and I work one of the worst insults a person can do is to actually spit ON us…it is actually viewed as an assault…I guess that the view attempting to discourage the personal habit of spitting may actually exacerbate an attitude where spitting becomes a personally insulting action, rather than just a personal habit??
I was interested to read your expose on Howard Conservatism too…thanks….
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