Holy Sh... Shanghai!

When New York City banned smoking in restaurants and bars many residents groaned and grumbled; but in the end I think we can all agree it was a good thing. Likewise when London banned cars from the city center I’m sure tons of people were inconvenienced. But now dozens of other metropolises are introducing similar measures. Singapore banned chewing gum in public places. Moscow banned gay pride parades. Kuwait banned men from working in lingerie shops.

But a ban on swearing? Now that’s just too much!

Not for Shanghai... The city is now considering a law that makes using swear words in public an illegal offense. Dirty words, according to city officials, often lead to physical fights, which could turn lethal. The law would also extend to spitting, littering, jaywalking and uncivilized behaviour on the part of dog owners. Fines are yet to be determined and may work on a sliding scale according to the income of the offender.

From what I understand, swearing has a long and venerable history in China. Swears are inventive and expressive - from “dog fart” to “turtle’s egg” to “wear a green hat”. ‘Ta ma de’ is a Chinese expression that involves performing degrading acts upon one’s mother. The phrase is apparently so popular and widespread, that renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun once jokingly claimed it should be declared the ‘national swear word’ of China. Next time you’re in an online chat, if anyone types TMD at you - be offended... be very offended!

The move, according to the Guardian newspaper, is all part of the city’s campaign to clean up its image ahead of the 2010 World Expo. The paper reports that “teams of students are being sent out to smile at strangers in public places to spread politeness among the traditionally frosty populace. Last week, the government announced it would equip 45,000 taxis with spit-sacks to curb drivers' habits of winding down their windows and hawking into the road.”