Spitting in the street!

[smudge]

Last week a very pretty girl was walking past my daughter's house, when she made a clearing noise in her throat, then spat on the pavement. My daughter & I were astounded & the girl immediately looked round to see what reaction she'd got from us. We pretended not to be looking, so as not to give her an audience, but she repeated this all the way down the road, looking over her shoulder at us each time.

My question is: Why do people (boys, girls, men or women) do this? Do they do it in their own back gardens too?

They are the lowest of the low as far as I'm concerned.

[flaming]

Strange how things have gone in this country.  When I was a child there werer notices posted in buses saying "no spitting, no hawking".  Later, once peope realised how unpleasant as well as dangerous to public health it was, the practice died out (except for certain people obviously).  Unfortunately we are in a period where many young people think it is cool to be disgusting to others and to be scary to them. I remember reading something recently about how bus drivers are being spat at deliberately by some passengers, as a disease-spread scare, so much so that the anti-spit law is being revived again - the police can be called because it is dangerous to another's health.  Trouble is the offending spitter will probably be long gone before any officer of the law arrives.  Looking at Wednesday night's TV documentary about the wild conduct of pupils in schools (secret filming was done) I wonder what next is in store for the rest of us as these children grow up.

[rooftrouser]

I agree that it is a most unpleasant habit but is our reaction to it conditioned by our upbringing? The information about China and the comments of a friend who traveled to India incline me to think that it may vary in different cultures. I recall a visit to "The North" (of England) about 30 years ago when I pointed out the "No spitting" sign on the 'bus, amazed that it should be thought necessary. I was put in my place by a northern friend who reminded me that this had been a mining area and at one time many of the poor passengers would have nose and lungs full of coal dust.

[smudge]

Yes I would agree with that rooftrouser - but there were things called 'Hankies' even in those days!

They weren't just for knotting at the corners & putting on your head - they were for blowing ones hooter too!

[Otrere]

Smudge/Natalie1982 - have to say - that dog one made me feel sick as well. That is just vile.

In fact, spitting in the street, I agree is completely vile and also agree that its just being done for attention by "youths" most of the time (gawd I sound sooo old and I am only 33!) ... its just disgusting though. Ugh. Minging.

[Emily Ball]

I am so glad to see I'm not just a lone voice crying in the wilderness of antisocial behaviour. During my childhood I cannot remember a single instance of a child spitting in public-that was the preserve of bronchitic old men. And it was rightly reviled because of the very real possibility of contracting T.B. and who knows what other diseases. All parents should sit down with their children and explain in graphic terms the danger to their health associated with spitting. And another thought - what happens to all those gobbets left on the pavemen? They get walked into your house on the soles of your shoes if you're not looking ! 

[Little Lady]

This is making my stomach churn at the thought of it especially the dog part, some people are so gross!!!

[smudge]

Thank you, I'm glad we (nearly) all agree on this subject!