China's lawmakers want spitting, swearing stamped out ahead of Olympics

[ludahai]

China's lawmakers want spitting, swearing stamped out ahead of Olympics - Yahoo! News

Well, spitting was referred to by Edgar Snow as "China's national greeting." No doubt, if walking in China, you need to look down to keep from walking in spit. I loved the video from CNN this morning, showing Jiang Zemin picking his nose and scratching his ear during a meeting (I think it was the NPC.) Still, all-in-all, pretty funny.

 

[jfuh]

There are too many of these bad habits and lack of what is considered to be civilized manners. If China wants to join the international community such lacking need to be quickly overcome. Good job for China in finally realizing this.

 

[ludahai]

There are too many of these bad habits and lack of what is considered to be civilized manners. If China wants to join the international community such lacking need to be quickly overcome. Good job for China in finally realizing this.

We are in agreement on the first part, but not the second. There are too many bad habits among the Chinese populace. However, the Chinese government has realized this for quite some time. When I lived there nearly ten years ago, the government was promoting an end to spitting, to no avail. When SARS spring up three years ago, they tried another anti-spitting campaign, apparently once again to no effect. What makes anyone think that this time will be different. Perhaps next, they can teach Chinese people to actually wait in a line!

 

[jfuh]

We are in agreement on the first part, but not the second. There are too many bad habits among the Chinese populace. However, the Chinese government has realized this for quite some time. When I lived there nearly ten years ago, the government was promoting an end to spitting, to no avail. When SARS spring up three years ago, they tried another anti-spitting campaign, apparently once again to no effect. What makes anyone think that this time will be different. Perhaps next, they can teach Chinese people to actually wait in a line!

The difference this time are two deadlines. Aug. 8 2008 and 2010; international media lens' focused on the mainland.

 

[Kandahar]

I read somewhere that some apartments in Shanghai actually post signs in the elevators asking people to please refrain from pooping in them.

 

[jfuh]

I read somewhere that some apartments in Shanghai actually post signs in the elevators asking people to please refrain from pooping in them.

:shock: Shanghai I'd be surprised - unless this is the outskirts of Shanghai - but then I'm not that surprised of such signs - ppl that live outside of the major economic workhorse cities in China are drastically different. One side are the gleaming futuristic high rises fast paced lifestyle that you'd be accustomed to anywhere in the world - on the otherside it's like taking a time capsule back 50 years or more.

 

[ludahai]

:shock: Shanghai I'd be surprised - unless this is the outskirts of Shanghai - but then I'm not that surprised of such signs - ppl that live outside of the major economic workhorse cities in China are drastically different. One side are the gleaming futuristic high rises fast paced lifestyle that you'd be accustomed to anywhere in the world - on the otherside it's like taking a time capsule back 50 years or more.

You think all Shanghai people live in those gleaming high rises? Spend some time in Nanshi or Luwan districts to see how most Shanghainese live. BTW, that is also where to get the most authentic Shanghai food.

 

[ludahai]

The difference this time are two deadlines. Aug. 8 2008 and 2010; international media lens' focused on the mainland.

I hope they pull it off this time, but I think my skepticism is entirely justified.

 

[jfuh]

You think all Shanghai people live in those gleaming high rises? Spend some time in Nanshi or Luwan districts to see how most Shanghainese live. BTW, that is also where to get the most authentic Shanghai food.

Re-read my statements and you will see that I wasn't stating that at all but rather stating of the image.

 

[ludahai]

Re-read my statements and you will see that I wasn't stating that at all but rather stating of the image.

You opened your post with this statement:

Shanghai I'd be surprised - unless this is the outskirts of Shanghai

At least you realize that the majority of Shanghainese don't live in the gleaming towers of Pudong.

 

[jfuh]

You opened your post with this statement:

At least you realize that the majority of Shanghainese don't live in the gleaming towers of Pudong.

Yes, outskirts would still be the metropolis now wouldn't it? As well as a more rational explanation for the posting if it were true given the status of Shanghai. Also I don't see where I claimed that Shanghainese lived in gleaming towers.

 

[ludahai]

Yes, outskirts would still be the metropolis now wouldn't it? As well as a more rational explanation for the posting if it were true given the status of Shanghai. Also I don't see where I claimed that Shanghainese lived in gleaming towers.

If it were in the city boundaries, yes. However, how many foreigners do you think actually go out to the outlying districts on a regular basis. Such signs are seen in the city, and such boorish behavior is common, even in Shanghai.

 

[jfuh]

If it were in the city boundaries, yes. However, how many foreigners do you think actually go out to the outlying districts on a regular basis. Such signs are seen in the city, and such boorish behavior is common, even in Shanghai.

You don't need to go out on a regular basis to take a picture. Not to mention the fact that we're not even certain of where the photo was taken or what the photo said.
Also I've seen signs saying not to spit in elevators, but I've yet to see one that asks ppl not to take a **** in the elevator.