Stereotyping Chinese as spitters is easy
- By Wang Yong
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, October 17, 2014
'Can-do' spirit
In answering his call, I actually found a "can-do" spirit in myself. China is imperfect: smog, spitting, screaming, you name it. But can we do something about it? Yes we can.
Last week, I saw two cars parking on the road in my residential compound. I immediately called our community security guards and wished they could do something about it. In 10 minutes, the head of the security service found the car owners and escorted them with smile until they moved their cars to designated underground parking lots.
On September 29, on my way home, I noticed a loudspeaker blasting out inaudible statements amid the hustle and bustle of crowds of subway passengers. I advanced to the young lady, a subway clerk, and suggested with a smile that they improve the broadcasting quality so that passengers could hear clearly.
Seeing me smiling, she burst into laughter as well: "To be frank, I can't hear it clearly either!" Then she took away the loudspeaker. The next day, I came again. It was another lady, another loudspeaker. Every word from the loudspeaker came out slowly and clearly: "During rush hour, please exit from Gate 8 instead of Gate 9."
On September 19, on my way to work, a young passenger fainted and fell on our subway, his head hitting the floor with a big bang. I asked passengers to give him a seat, and so someone did.
Then a 30-ish lady called 110 and 120 for police and hospital help. A young disabled man and I helped the fainting victim walk out of the subway carriage and rest in a chair on the station platform. Police came shortly, so I dismissed myself. The young lady and the disabled man were still with police, waiting to be summoned for further help.
These cases, however trivial and sporadic, seldom find their way to daily media reports, which are often biased toward things negative. In these trivial and sporadic moments, I see character and conduct as holy as that of a saint.
Stop pointing a finger as an onlooker and self-imposed moral judge.
If you see a saint in everyone on the street, then everyone on the street will see you as a saint. Unfortunately, many people are accustomed to pointing a finger at others, rather than giving his five to others in need of help.
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