My Pet Peeve #3: Spitting in Public

Spitting in public is a big no-no!

Also available on Medium.

Hi guys, it’s Howard here. The topic I’ll be discussing in the third episode won’t be controversial like the previous two, but this is mostly just my personal opinions. I will keep it short and simple.

You know what I dislike? Spitting in public. Yes, I’m mostly referring to the older adults. Spitting in public areas is rightfully wrong, and yet I still see some older adults doing it. Not only do I find their action unsightly. It’s also disgusting yet very unhygienic! I would usually see them spit on drains, grass patches, or even on the pavement itself! If you need to clear your throat, just use a tissue to spit on, or head to the nearest toilet. At least you won’t look uncivilised that way.

The younger ones will follow the footsteps of the elders.

Now, why do I say “mostly referring to the older adults” in the previous paragraph? They tend to feel more entitled than anyone else, so they think that whatever they do is right. One of which is they may think that spitting in public isn’t wrong, so they do it often that it becomes habitual. Imagine spitting in front of your children, or even grandchildren. If you do it regularly, expect the younger ones to do the same disgusting act as you, thinking that it isn’t wrong to spit in the public. I may sound more like a boomer than a real boomer, but elders should act civilised in front of their younger ones because the younger ones will learn whatever the elders do. In short, set a good example in front of them. They’ll thank you one day for what they become in the future.

Spitting in public is inappropriate, more so during this COVID-19 period. What if the saliva that you spat on the public ground has the virus? People who just so happen to pass by it unknowingly may get infected by the virus. Scary! There have already been two separate cases of spitting on the same lift buttons in the same LRT station in the span of just 3 weeks. Not saying that only the older adults spit in public, even teenagers do that on the lift buttons! Oh, come on, how about those that really need to use that lift but to be greeted by the saliva left on the buttons… They’re either left with using the stairs while being less mobile or to press the already infested lift buttons risking getting infected.

To sum it up, I just really hate seeing people spitting in public places. Thankfully some places already started taking action on whoever that spits inside their premises. I just hope that the younger ones don’t follow the footsteps of their elders to spit in public.