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Good manners in Expo but not on roads
October 28, 2010, Thursday
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DEAR Mr Wang Yong,
I actually cannot exactly tell you why I felt the drive to drop you a note on this one (your article "Hurray! The Chinese can stand politely in line," published on October 20).
Anyway, I 100 percent share your view about the necessity of good public manners of whatever kind, of people of whatever kind, of whatever nationality, at whatever time. People standing politely in a line are reducing the anger of everyone waiting and therefore are one step further to "Better City, Better Life."
But can you imagine what a big jump forward it would be if the driving fraction of the citizens - either on two, three, four or more wheels - would obey existing traffic regulations and related police divisions would push a little more to enforce them?
As someone who is mostly a pedestrian, I only encounter these reckless male and/or female drivers on rundown bicycles, overloaded motorcycles or scooters, speeding in any direction on narrow pavements, winding walkways, either outside or inside housing areas, at night without illumination and sound (if powered by electricity), without or with a fake license plate, talking to someone via mobile phone at the same time ...
I know this is an endless story so I'll cut it short.
If these rude people (by the way, also including foreigners), would stick to the rules and behave in a civilized way, that would not only reduce other people's anger but might even save many people's health and lives - a jump forward not only to "Better City - Better Life," but to a "Harmonious Society," so to say!
Shanghai Daily is a Chinese newspaper but in English. In particular the Metro and Opinion sections are often very interesting.
So, because I have lived in this exciting country/city for quite a while and I of course like to follow local incidents, I read it almost "Daily."
What I hope for is that these "opinions" are also published in Chinese newspapers in the Chinese language, as they ought to enlarge the potential interested (and learning) audience, shouldn't they?
Michael Werkmeister
I actually cannot exactly tell you why I felt the drive to drop you a note on this one (your article "Hurray! The Chinese can stand politely in line," published on October 20).
Anyway, I 100 percent share your view about the necessity of good public manners of whatever kind, of people of whatever kind, of whatever nationality, at whatever time. People standing politely in a line are reducing the anger of everyone waiting and therefore are one step further to "Better City, Better Life."
But can you imagine what a big jump forward it would be if the driving fraction of the citizens - either on two, three, four or more wheels - would obey existing traffic regulations and related police divisions would push a little more to enforce them?
As someone who is mostly a pedestrian, I only encounter these reckless male and/or female drivers on rundown bicycles, overloaded motorcycles or scooters, speeding in any direction on narrow pavements, winding walkways, either outside or inside housing areas, at night without illumination and sound (if powered by electricity), without or with a fake license plate, talking to someone via mobile phone at the same time ...
I know this is an endless story so I'll cut it short.
If these rude people (by the way, also including foreigners), would stick to the rules and behave in a civilized way, that would not only reduce other people's anger but might even save many people's health and lives - a jump forward not only to "Better City - Better Life," but to a "Harmonious Society," so to say!
Shanghai Daily is a Chinese newspaper but in English. In particular the Metro and Opinion sections are often very interesting.
So, because I have lived in this exciting country/city for quite a while and I of course like to follow local incidents, I read it almost "Daily."
What I hope for is that these "opinions" are also published in Chinese newspapers in the Chinese language, as they ought to enlarge the potential interested (and learning) audience, shouldn't they?
Michael Werkmeister
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