In Beijing, Spit Happens
February 27th, 2007
Submitted By: Steve Feng
When you go to Beijing, look out where you step. Apparently, this city is known for spitting; check out this article in the Beijing Review (Spit Happens). Erin Conway-Smith explains that the pollution in the air is nearly as bad as smoking cigarettes. This pollution starts to cause discomfort in the throat, and some people, especially the older crowd, chose to spit to clear the mucus. Recently, the government and organizations have tried to prohibit spitting. The government campaigned to decrease the contamination of SARS by prohibiting spitting, however was unsuccessful. “Spitting bags” are handed out to address this sanitary issue. If you’re thinking that this will be a great opportunity to connect with your childhood and spit all over the place, be careful. The fine is $6 for spitting in public.
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, Beijing, China, Misc.
4 Comments Add your own
1. Chris Carr | February 27th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Good post.
In EVERY city in China I have been in there are lots of “spitters”, not just Beijing! No doubt, the pollution in some cities there makes for lots of hackers.
2. Evelyn Ma | March 5th, 2007 at 10:28 am
It makes me think of Singapore, a “fine city.” Singapore has been able to curb spitting, and many other actions they deem as inappropriate. This is done mainly by giving people fines for breaking the laws. It can later escalate to other punishments, but the fines and fear of further punishpent are often enough to prevent people from performing specific actions. Spitting is one of those. Maybe by enforcing the fine or punishment for this “offense,” Bejing can curb the public spitting habit.
3. Kerry Huang | March 5th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I seriously do not see why a whole population have the need to spit. Sure, it is culturally acceptable and normal. However, so many other cultures do not spit! It is so ingrained that they feel that it is necessary but maybe a fine will stop spitters. It is doubtful that there are enough enforcers to effectively fine enough people long enough to change this habit. For example many people in China jay walk or cross when the light is red. The only time people refrain is when there is an enforcer at the cross walk. Some people still ignore him and make a run for it.
We all know that Beijing is targeted because that is site of the Olympic games. The government doesn’t want visitors to view the Chinese as gross spitters.
4. Chris Carr | March 5th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Pollution! Pollution! Pollution! You just can’t run from it in China, Beijing in particular.
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