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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!
13 comments:
It's illegal in Canada to spit in public - can get you fined.
My missus used to spit but after telling her off she swallows now.
McGonners, but is that right to ban it or not? There is a difference in spitting out some spittle and gobbing when you've got a chest cold and getting rid of a thick bastard!
Ben, trust you to lower the level of debate!
Totally against, every day we see less good manners everywhere, more ignorant behaviour, I sometimes despair.
In answer to your question, I'd have to yes, with the proviso that it depends on the time and place.
Places like "Old Trafford" or "Celtic Park", it should be made compulsory.
In all seriousness though, we all feel the need to gob at some time. Just don't do it on my living room carpet, feel free to use the bog and knock yourself out.
If outside, don't do it where people walk, use the gutter preferably in one of the drains.
Its no easy blastin one out the window at 60 mph.
I think you will find that it has been illegal to spit on a public street since the 1960's.
Never mind the bansturbation. In a corner of my school playground was a stairwell that led down to the caretakers lair.
Woe betide any boy who caused the football to get trapped down this stairwell because he learned the hard way why it was called the "Gob Pit".
Gordo, I wouldn't disagree with that. Manners are going to pot.
Tam the Bam, welcome to the blog. Aye, particularly when you've got your Mother in Law in the back seat!
Banned, interesting. If I'd have known it was illegal, I'd have been doing more of it!
Spookily enough I was watching "Return Of The Mummy, Scorpion King" the other day. A lengthy scene was set on London Transport bus c.1930s, the proper buses which you could alight before they stopped.
On the lower deck was a sign
"DO NOT SPIT"
Which suggests that spitting on buses was a problem that needed addressing 'though I'd have thought it was alright as long as it hit the floor.
Banned, I seem to remember when I was at the school, (the last time I used a public bus to any great degree), there was quite a lot of spittle on the floor! Mind you it was nearly 40 years ago.
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