Comment: No excuses for spitting in public (From Worcester News)

Comment: No excuses for spitting in public

11:19am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

YUK! Poor Jackie Burnett faces the stomach-turning task of cleaning spit each morning from the windows and doors of the clinic on the Tything, Worcester, where she works.

But Miss Burnett, rather than being intimidated by the disgusting behaviour of whoever is responsible, has come out fighting – with her pen.

She has written a poem mocking the culprit, whom she suggests is a knuckle-dragging cretin, and has posted it in the clinic’s window.

It has gone down well with passers-by. Many stop and smile as they read the poem. Some give a thumbs-up. All will agree that she should not have to put up with such behaviour.

Spitting is a disgusting anti-social habit. It is tolerated not because people do not find it objectionable, but because they are rightly wary about confronting the morons responsible.

Why do they do it?

In the distant past widespread heavy smoking and the damage it wreaked on people’s airways may have been partly responsible. Today it is more likely to be an impulsive action copied from peers or – worse – parents.

Sadly, some professional footballers must also take their share of the blame for perpetuating spitting.

Slow-motion, high-definition close-ups of Premiership stars unnecessarily expectorating simply endorse the habit for the millions of impressionable youngsters watching on TV.

It is time they started showing a lead. Time that the law did too. Spitting in the street is not currently illegal, though local councils could introduce bylaws outlawing it. Now that would be one in the eye for the louts.