Do you find this offensive?

Question

I personally think it is totally anti-social behaviour when youths spit out their phlegm onto the pavements as they walk along. it really disgusts me. You'd never get anyone with any manners doing this. Would you ever say anything to someone you saw do it?

Answer 1

It is rather rude but sadly quite common in more ways than one. As we all know it is best to say nothing as you could end up in hospital. If i were bigger and stronger i would love to walk right up to the miscreant and hand them a handkerchief. BTW it is not only youths that carry out this offensive action Often one sees elderly gentlemen doing it.

Answer 2

I hate it when people do this! It is absolutely disgusting and totally unnecessary! BUT it is NOT only 'youth' that do it! I am 14, go to a school with 1000 other 'youths' and 95% of them are as disgusted as me when they see people doing this!
But if any of us were to say anything to someone for doing it would we not then be seen as 'rude and abusive!'?
'The youth of today' are blamed for FAR too much!
A lot of the time you will find that there are more older people doing things like these than 'youths!'
I would agree though that you can't say anything to people that do things like this for fear of being stabbed or murdered! Why should i spend a week in hospital for telling some-one not to spit?

Answer 3

I did say to someone that I would lend them a handkerchief if that would stop them storting and spitting at a bus stop, and tried to point out that not only was it rather disgusting to listen to and see - and wipe off our clothes. My reward, two black eyes - and me spitting blood into a handkerchief - and lots of jeering from the perpetrators and no help from the Police! I despair! When did this disgusting habit come back in? I remember it happening, then it died out and now it is happening again! Is this a generational thing?

Answer 4

Not only offensive, but in many communities it is ILLEGAL to spit in public PERIOD... on sidewalks, in roadways, on grassways... ANYWHERE on public property. Why? It is unsanitary.

ONLY in the RARE occasion when a person is "ill" and MUST spit... such as a foreign object down the throat (um... you know ... swallow a fly type deal?)... there is NO excuse for spitting in public. If you MUST "toss" the wad... then find a proper receptical... garbage can, tissue, paper, whatever... and as inconspicously as possible, render the offending "wad" harmless.

What to SAY? Generally, an grossed-out "EEEWWWW" is more than sufficient. But usually an extremely offended "OMG!!!" look at them directly good enough.... followed by a WIDE PATH taken around them and their offending wad.

Have a great day!

Answer 5

I find it not only socially unacceptable, but also, particularly undesirable from a health standpoint. I have requested persons in my area to refrain from the activity. Except on extremely rare occasion I have never found a need to spit. And when I did it was in a proper receptacle.

Edit for First Ascent... my first wife used to spit when she ran, and once forgot which side I was on, I reprimanded her every time I saw it. I think even when running there are better ways. As I said she was my first wife...no one likes to be spit on, LOL

Answer 6

In Singapore the offenders would be dragged off to Changi for a jolly good caning which is why the streets of Singapore are cleaner than most operating theatres in this country. We would never consider violating a person's right to expectorate on the footway which is why TB is making a comeback after a long absence.

Answer 7

I don't out in the street, but I caught a student at school spitting on the corridor. He thought it was funny and wouldn't tell me his name. Fortunately, in this instance, we have CCTV so I managed to follow it up with a senior member of staff.

Fortunately also for me, I managed to stop myself telling him he was a fcuking disgusting little shitbag!

Answer 8

What I find offensive is that you insinuate that only youths do this. I find it offensive when anyone hacks up phlegm in public and spits it onto the sidewalk. It's not an age issue.

Answer 9

I find it objectionable too. You have to avoid the splotches on the footpath. I came to England from Australia in the 80's and first saw it then. I don't think anyone else would tolerate that behaviour. However we live in a free society, and there is no right for a person to tell another person what to do, or what not to do.

Answer 10

I do say something regularly. its gross and the one thing that really makes my stomach turn. Who wants to look at the contents of someone else's lungs?
The funniest thing I ever saw was a guy leaning out of his car to do a massive greenie, the wind changed and it backfired all over his female passengers face! ha ha ha.
But yes if i see someone doing that, I tell them they ought to be made to lick it up. EWWW!!!