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| A YOUNG FOOTBALLER GETS READY TO LET A 'GOB' GO! |
I was reading a thing the other night on spitting, I can't remember where but it got me thinking about whether it's a socially acceptable phenomenon. Obviously sports 'stars', footballers in particular are keen on it, unless it's directed at one another, then it's an excuse for a sending off or 'handbags at six paces'. You very rarely see rugby players spitting, unless they're spitting out blood or teeth. Maybe it's a working class thing?
What about spitting in the street? Could that create infection? With TB on the rise again, is it a health hazard? Seemingly not, as the effect of sunshine kills the virus. There used to be spittoons in the street and in Public Bars. But I suppose with the demise of men only bars, a woman doesn't want to see her date coughing up a thicky and gobbing it into the spittoon with a ding, like an old cowboy film. I remember a mate of mine telling me that just after he got in one of the new fangled, living flame electric fires with the red lights and the imaginary coals, his old uncle visited from up the North of Scotland. His uncle was in the habit of sitting at the fireside and spitting into his fire and this new, electric fire was so authentic that he thought it was real. Every time he spat into it, my friend sitting across from him, had to make a hissing noise as if the spittle was hitting hot coals. He told me that about 20 years ago and it still cracks me up. But, you have to know my mate!
So what do you think? Ban it or not? As someone who is fairly Libertarian in outlook, I would say no. There are too many things banned already. Find a woman who either doesn't mind you spitting or likes a good gob herself. I remember teaching my recently deceased Mother-in-Law who was quite ladylike, how to spit from the balcony of an apartment I had in Spain, one night when she was half pissed and she was brilliant at it!
