Debritz.net

It's a good thing I'm not paranoid, because it would be easy to believe somebody is out to get me. Once again, I was nearly collected by a car while legally crossing the road here in Shanghai. This time, however, I was with a colleague, who agreed with my observation that this sort of thing happens way too often and something ought to be done about it. That was yesterday; today's major irritant was a young man who just spat on the floor of the railway station as I was walking towards him. Not over the platform edge, in a drain or to the corner mind you, just directly in front of him as he walked.
The good news is that I think I've worked out a reason for the endemic antisocial behaviour in China (which also includes pushing to get on a train or lift before others get off, and allowing children to urinate or defecate just about anywhere they damn well please). On a macro level, this is such a large and controlled society that ordinary folks have few ways to express their individuality. By performing these selfish, unhygenic, unfriendly acts they are putting themselves in control, albeit in a very small way for a very short time. It's a low-risk way of giving the finger to ordered and civilised society.
Of course, I could be totally wrong about this but, whatever, the reason I just wish they'd learn some manners - and some road rules - before I get hit by spittle or, worse still, a car.