Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

'Gay Shame #3: Spitting

OK, we've covered cockroaches and mice, and someone else can do a much better job discussing the joys of young women being 'clicked' at, so what are we going to do about the phlegm?

Harringay is awash with spit, and given the large numbers of unvaccinated people drifting up and down Green Lanes coughing their lungs up it's no wonder the borough is a tuberculosis hotspot.

The council is now putting the boot in on people who chuck cigarettes out of car windows but how do we go about discouraging people from hockling on our pavements?

For me, 3.00 AM mob justice seems the kindest solution, but I'd welcome other suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Anette on March 25, 2009 at 15:01

I posted about this ages ago, and it is dirty, disgusting, rude, unhygienic, and rife on Green Lanes. YUCK! Isn't there meant to be a fine for spitting? But who will enforce it? I have given a couple of spitters a horrified look and said loudly "That's disgusting!" a few times, they all look very suprised. I'll probably get punched one day, but hey, at least then the disgusting person will be done for assault.

Another calm post from me.

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Permalink Reply by AnnieH on March 25, 2009 at 15:08

I've often said out loud to said spitters "Dirty git" (completely reactional!) and their expression is one of acknowledgment, but also utter defiance. I like to think it's shame and embarassment that's stopping them from apologising! ;)

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Permalink Reply by Martha on March 25, 2009 at 15:26

I also make faces and state loudly 'that's disgusting'! whilst moving away quickly as if they have the plague. I have also trained the little one to emulate my reactions. My partner prefers to recoil in horror. I don't see how it can be stopped, it's along the same line as the dog poo conversations - one of the big irritations of living here.

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Permalink Reply by matt on March 25, 2009 at 16:55

According to this wiki entry one could spit back in someone's face as this 'is a universal sign of anger, hatred or contempt'. Hawking is especially effective. You could of course apologise profusely that you were aiming for the pavement. There is an art to this spitting lark so it does take a little practice.

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Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on March 25, 2009 at 16:26

This is all very “British” isn’t it?

For me to parp on a scooter or by bicycle means I have to lean to one side or stand up making it blindly obvious what I am doing, so wait for the traffic lights.

I spit if I feel the need to when I am playing football or riding my bike, I am not swallowing (nudge nudge). I do not spit on the street, but have done in the gutter if I have swallowed a fly or something.

In next weeks instalment of “Harringay Rants” we look at chewing nails, dandruff on our streets and wasp droppings : )

Do any of you folk go to yoga, I thought that is suppose to calm people down?

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Permalink Reply by RuthE on March 25, 2009 at 17:32

thanks for sharing Birdy, I hope I don't find myself cycling behind you on Green Lanes. Atleast I'll know when you're leaning to one side or standing up which end of you to avoid. If your head turns slightly to the right I'll know not to over take. tee hee hee

Spitting on the pavement should be illegal, is it?

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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on March 25, 2009 at 17:41

Ruth E said thanks for sharing Birdy, I hope I don't find myself cycling behind you on Green Lanes.
Also, when his posterior rises you'll know he's about to do some turbo acceleration..

Spitting on the pavement should be illegal, is it?

No, not yet - but walking along it with mud on your shoes is..

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Permalink Reply by John D on March 25, 2009 at 18:02

I raised this a few weeks ago RuthE and someone pointed out that spitting in public is not illegal, although it used to be an offence on buses. My feeling is, it should be illegal - it's a disgusting unhygenic habit and, as said, is believed to spread things like tuberculosis.

And, of course you see it happening all over Green Lanes at any time of day.

Now I'm going to upset all you cyclists (again ) , but I used to run half marathons and nobody seemed to feel the need to spit. If exercise causes you to phlegm, you need to get fitter :-)