Why do Chinese people spit?

Question

Do the Chinese have some strange disease or something.

Some places you hear birds singing,
and some places you hear crickets chirping.
In China you hear people honking snot balls....on the bus, on the airplane, on the streets and anywhere else that is public.

Chinese people outside of China don't spit everywhere and feel the need to honk snot balls, so what is it about the Chinese people in China.

Do they have some weird condition or something?

I'm not trying to be insulting, but I'm really curious? Why do they like to spit everywhere.

Answer 1

Pollution, population size, and "everyone does it" are all pathetic answers from people who have obviously never been to China and experienced what you've seen.

Pollution is not the cause because Indians, Mexicans, and billions of others people who live in polluted cities don't feel the need to spit on AIRPLANES, trains, and other public facilities.

Yes, Americans who chew tobacco spit too, but that's a disgusting habit on it's own. At least we know why they do it; their chewing tobacco! But, what's excuse for the billions of Chinese who aren't chewing tobacco, but feel the need to spit on the airplane on the seat next to you?

The reason is simple. The majority of people in China are unclassed, and lack manors.

They also believe in a lot of stupid myths like how: pissing and taking a dump in a squating hole is better for you than sitting on a toilet because your body is more stream line. However, they completely ignore the fact that other people's shi- and piss splash back at you when you're squating in a hole, or the fact that those holes are absolutely disgusting.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do Chinese people spit?
Do the Chinese have some strange disease or something.

Some places you hear birds singing,
and some places you hear crickets chirping.
In China you hear people honking snot balls....on the bus, on the airplane, on the streets and anywhere else that is public.

Chinese people outside of...

Answer 3

I think you're fooled by others. I'm from Hong Kong and I've never heard this myth for my whole life. Furthermore, only the old people do spit. The truth is that the generations like baby boomers and younger people don't spit anymore. For me, I even don't know how to spit, sorry. Does it mean that I'm superior and more advanced from evolution than those in the West...hahahaha?

Answer 4

Interesting question, I see Chinese spitting all the time but never seen them do it at home

Answer 5

This behavior is more prominent in Chinese, They are really really disgusting. Every time I hear clearing their throat Im afraid they spitting on my shoes :(( Chinese people are very dirty I do not know how they think it is okay to not washing their hand with soap after they wipe themselves in bathroom....

Answer 6

American spit, Britons spit, Kenyans spit - everyone does this. Just as Americans have undereducated, lower class people, so too do the Chinese - thus just as American truck drivers spit, so too do some Chinese villagers.

I take it this is your first trip to China or even outside of your own country?

Okay and that stuff about evil spirits in the throat, well yes they believe it but that's not what justifies spitting in the streets. You would never see a middle or upper class person just spit in public!

Furthermore the Chinese, like Americans with chewing tobacco, chew a narcotic plant that turns their saliva red. This is mostly enjoyed by blue collar workers and some athletes, again like chewing tobacco. Its possible the "excessive" spitting you have noticed is because you are travelling in poor neighborhoods or open markets where all classes mingle.

By the way have you ever been to an American baseball game? Have you noticed the use of chewing tobacco?? Now that is equally vile.

Added later: I just ran errands here in Texas and noticed Mexican immigrants and White blue coller rednecks (yes, caucasian Americans) spitting all over the sidewalks and parking lots. Its not isolated to the Chinese that's for sure! If you really want to eliminate spitting you'll have to do away with a lot of poor people.

Answer 7

I'm Chinese, but I was born here. Chinese people spit partially because there aren't any big rules in China, so parents do it, and then their kids learn it, and it is passed on and on.

Answer 8

There's an ancient Chinese belief that an evil spirit dwells in the throat. Chinese on the mainland and in Hong Kong today still believe this. (More modern Chinese don't believe it.) They frequently clear their throats and spit to keep the evil spirit at bay and keep him from strangling them when they swallow.

It seems odd to us, but a lot of our practices seem odd to them.

Answer 9

I wonder if it's the smog and stuff? I know that Beijing is trying to get cab drivers to stop spitting in preparation for the Olympics.

Answer 10

"Chinese people outside of China don't spit everywhere and feel the need to honk snot balls, so what is it about the Chinese people in China."

thats not true. have you ever been to chinatown in manhatten? or chinatown at 8th avenue in brooklyn?

I was parked at a meter and right outside was this old chinese man picking his nose like never before...looking at his newfound treasure...and then digging it out from under his fingernails so he could roll it into a ball with his two fingers while trying to get rid of it.

I dunno. I grew up in america so I personally find that disgusting.