(Not So) Great Expectorations
What is it about this time of year that makes people shoot phlegm out of their mouths in every direction, in broad daylight, and in plain view no less? Seriously, who decided this is ok? Is it really any better than picking your nose in public? I can’t tell you how much it absolutely mortifies me when someone in my near vicinity projects a loogey that lands only inches from my feet.
I’m really curious as to why there hasn’t been any kind of legislation passed to prevent this disgusting act. In researching the topic, Wikipedia let me know that social attitudes towards spitting have changed greatly; esp. in Western Europe since the Middle Ages.
Then, frequent spitting was part of everyday life, and at all levels of society, it was thought ill-mannered to suck back saliva to avoid spitting. By the early 1700s, spitting had become seen as something which should be concealed, and by 1859 many viewed the spitting on the floor or street as vulgar, especially in mixed company. I could not agree more!
Spittoons were used openly during the nineteenth century to provide an acceptable outlet for spitters. Spittoons became far less common after the influenza epidemic of 1918, and their use has since virtually disappeared, though each justice of the Supreme Court of the United States continues to be provided with a personal cuspidor.
About the only legislation I could find regarding the subject is that spitting may be considered an assault and battery. Seems really lenient for such a nasty, disease spreading habit.
$@bs
