campaign for public manners
19 Apr 07
As China prepares to host the 2008 Olympics, officials are worried for the hospitality meter of its Beijing residents:
For all the expectations and civic pride that Beijing has attached to being the host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, the event is a source of civic anxiety, too. What if traffic is terrible? What if the weather is bad? These are worries for any host city, but Beijing also has a few more:What if foreign visitors are forced to navigate a minefield of saliva left by local pedestrians spitting on sidewalks? What if lines at Olympic events dissolve into scrums as local residents jump to the head of pack? What if Chinese fans serenade rival teams with the guttural, unprintable “Beijing curse”?
Government response? Widespread awareness campaigns to put local habits in check:
Citywide campaigns are trying to curb public spitting, discourage public cursing and littering and also promote lining up. There is even a campaign to rectify the often hilariously bad English translations on signs and restaurant menus.
I say the same lousy habits need curbing in Manila. Others on my list:
- JAYWALKING!
- JAYWALKING!
- JAYWALKING!
- Urinating in public
- Motorists that don’t let pedestrians pass, even when on pedestrian lanes
- Jeepneys that load and unload passengers at will
- Passengers who expect jeepneys to load and unload at will
- Parking along main roads (or worse, along highways)
- Loud videoke singing
Full story: No Spitting on the Road to Olympic Glory, Beijing Says
