Sounds/Sights

A previous Cablog post I can't find, actually don't want to, details a passenger vomiting. From memory the post used the phrase - two minutes of excruitiating sound effects.

Well it's been confirmed by an exhaustive online study that the sound of vomiting is the world's most horrible noise, beating squealing babies and scratching chalk boards. Though cabbies already knew this. My vote would go to the sound of a detonating thermonuclear device over a populated area, whatever that sounds like.

One of the worst public sights is of people openly spitting, a practise of which I was once a serial offender. And in particular public spitting is commonplace in China where, apparently, it's been an acceptable 'lifestyle' choice. So much so one Chinese city is looking to outlaw public spitting with a targetted campaign which includes taxi spitting, Shangai taxis to be equipped with spit sacks,

The public health watchdog Shanghai Patriotic Sanitation Committee has vowed to ensure that all the 45,000 taxies in the city carry "spitting sacks" within a year.

The sacks will be distributed among taxi drivers free of charge at regular intervals, and will be attached to the riot plate that separates a driver from the passengers so that both can, if need be, spit into it.

Some don't think much of the idea forecasting, This solution is a recipe for disaster. Hit the link for some grisly predictions, if you dare. Remedies include the suggestion of, commendations for cabdrivers with non-spitting lifestyles.  

Comments

[Greg]

Beijing is putting on a significant effort to curb spitting in advance of the Olympics, including the distribution of 'spit sacks'. Yeah, it's pretty nasty. I've also heard of a non-lethal weapon being developed for battlefields and riot control that projects the amplified sound of a crying baby, so it's either worse than vomiting or used because it's more sustained.

[Lee]

Yuck! I think spitting is gross. Thankfully, that disgusting habit seems to be at a decline these days . There used to be nothing worse than hearing the sound of a man winding himself up for a huge 'golly'spit! Ewwwwwwwww!

[jayjay]

Spitting is one of those great mysteries. Can someone please explain why people (usually male) do it? Of course our cricketers are great spit role models - puke.

[ab]

Urgh no, spitting is awful - I hate the sound of it, much worse than chundering.

To me, probably the worst sound would be hearing someone get belted up, all that squelching and smashing, really makes me feel more queasy than enything else.

[Simmo]

My understanding is that use of a tissue or hankie to wipe or blow the nose is considered impolite in some Asian countries thus the development of the habit to sniff the phlem (sorry but what else could I say) back up and spit it out.

This then of course leads to the spread of further germs/infections causing more runny noses -> Viscous Cycle 101.

[adrian]

Simmo, yeah, I've noticed Korean passengers in particular have no qualms in snorting back phlegm, loudly. Also wonder if a Chinese diet based on MSG is the cause of gunk constantly rising in the gullet. Same condition can affect smokers and those with ulcers and stomach infections.