Toilet paper thefts see cash going down drain
Source: Xinhua |
July 8, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AN eastern Chinese city's efforts to better resource toilets have ended with huge losses of free toilet paper, leading to reflections on the misuse of public amenities in China.
As most Chinese public lavatories do not provide paper or charge for their use, Qingdao, in Shandong Province, won praise after it announced some toilets would be equipped with paper free-of-charge.
Late last month, the Qingdao government started providing 100,000 toilet rolls to 24 public lavatories in scenic spots, involving an investment of 1.5 million yuan (US$235,700).
But online posts said some toilets reported consuming 2 kilometers of paper a day, as it was being used inappropriately or pocketed.
"Some use the paper to wash their face, clean their feet and shoes and some take extra paper or even the entire roll as they leave," a post said, citing toilet management staff.
Netizens said Qingdao's experience highlighted the habit of some Chinese to help themselves to public resources, a trait some suspect might originate from past austerity.
"Many Chinese hold the 'take it if it costs you nothing to do so' mentality. It's urgent that they improve their moral standards and public awareness," said web user "Innocent Years" on Sina Weibo, microblog.
Gu Jun, a sociology professor at Shanghai University, urged Qingdao to continue providing free toilet paper. As China moves on, prosperity will naturally lead to social propriety, he predicted.
"In the past, fruit on roadside trees would be picked, even before ripe. Such practices are increasingly rare, as people can now get better-tasting fruit from the market," Gu said in a commentary.
As most Chinese public lavatories do not provide paper or charge for their use, Qingdao, in Shandong Province, won praise after it announced some toilets would be equipped with paper free-of-charge.
Late last month, the Qingdao government started providing 100,000 toilet rolls to 24 public lavatories in scenic spots, involving an investment of 1.5 million yuan (US$235,700).
But online posts said some toilets reported consuming 2 kilometers of paper a day, as it was being used inappropriately or pocketed.
"Some use the paper to wash their face, clean their feet and shoes and some take extra paper or even the entire roll as they leave," a post said, citing toilet management staff.
Netizens said Qingdao's experience highlighted the habit of some Chinese to help themselves to public resources, a trait some suspect might originate from past austerity.
"Many Chinese hold the 'take it if it costs you nothing to do so' mentality. It's urgent that they improve their moral standards and public awareness," said web user "Innocent Years" on Sina Weibo, microblog.
Gu Jun, a sociology professor at Shanghai University, urged Qingdao to continue providing free toilet paper. As China moves on, prosperity will naturally lead to social propriety, he predicted.
"In the past, fruit on roadside trees would be picked, even before ripe. Such practices are increasingly rare, as people can now get better-tasting fruit from the market," Gu said in a commentary.
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