Dubai: Gulf News readers have come across various instances where people have spat in public places. It could have been spitting onto the road from their cars and spitting paan, or betel leaves, and chewing gum onto pavements.
Prasad Krishna, a legal consultant based in Dubai, is amongst them. He has witnessed motorists open their car doors when waiting at a traffic signal and spit on the road.
He told Gulf News: “This is an issue that I witness often. Many drivers have a habit of spitting onto the road from their cars. Sometimes they will open the car’s door to spit, while on other occasions they will spit through the window. I have also seen people chewing paan (betel leaves) and then spitting it onto the road. I am very sure that these items are banned in the UAE, so they’re doing something illegal and unhygienic at the same time.
“It’s not just the act that concerns me, but also its consequences. It might spread diseases and cause health issues for the public as a whole.”
Another thing that bothers the reader is how the same motorists will be smoking a cigarette and then throw the butt out of a moving vehicle.
He said: “It is so irritating! A few days ago, I was driving in Dubai and noticed this practice at least three times in a short while. The drivers will just throw the burning cigarette butt on the road. Many a times I have seen it fall on the pavement or onto the grass on the side of the road. This is a very dangerous practice as it could start a fire. I hope the concerned authorities take stricter measures against these violators. As residents, it is our prime duty and responsibility to keep the roads clean and adhere to safety and health norms, and not put other people’s lives in danger.”
Rida Noor Khan, an Abu Dhabi resident, has had similar experiences.
She said: “When I feel the urge to spit in public, only because of a nasty cough, I spit in a tissue and make sure I throw it in a bin. I’ve done this in front of other people so as to create an example. Actions speak louder than words. But, who listens these days? They don’t feel ashamed or learn anything.”
Haroon Khan, a Dubai resident, agreed.
He said: “I have seen people throw garbage from their cars, too. And they smoke in elevators. People do not seem to respect the others around them. We cannot say anything to anyone because it’ll end in an argument.”
Aristhotle Dungo, an Abu Dhabi resident, said: “A few days ago, this happened to me at a bus stop. I was waiting for the bus when two teenagers came and stood next to me. They were smoking and suddenly one of them spit on the floor. The bus stops are cleaned many a times on a daily basis. Sometimes the cleaners even request you to step aside if you are sitting on the bench. And then passengers spit on the floor, increasing the cleaner’s workload.”
Maha Khatib, a Dubai resident, raised the issue of people spitting chewing gum on the roads and pavements.
She said: “I came across a pavement in Dubai that was covered in gum! The collective ignorance and careless behaviour of the society costs our city hundreds of thousands of dirhams to clean. The authorities should heavily fine people who spit.”
Khatib is concerned about stepping on these pieces of gum while walking on the pavements around the emirate.
Hana Mohammad said: “Imagine wearing an abaya and stepping on chewing gum. That is what I have to go through on a daily basis.”
Ajeet Kumar S Pillai, another Dubai resident, complained about the issue of people spitting betel leaves around the Bur Dubai area.
He said: “We notice that the authorities are spending so much money for the beautification of the emirates. However, the residents go ahead and spoil the beauty of it. In the Bur Dubai area, I have seen many people spitting betel leaves on the walls and pavements. One can see red stains all around. Even though the authorities have banned this item and there are severe penalties for chewing or spitting them in public, peope continue to do so. They must be buying it or importing it illegally.
“Despite the fact that there are trash bins placed at every nook and corner of the emirate, we spit on the walls. Is this acceptable behaviour? We should support the initiatives of the authorities by not doing such things and keeping the city clean. There is a reason they have banned the product and we should respect that. Instead, we spoil the image of the emirates. We all need to be more responsible.”
Mike Ainsworth, a Dubai resident, said: “There are so many betel leaf stains on walls, pavements and staircases in some parts of Dubai. Additionally, I regularly see car doors opening when stopped at the traffic signal and people spitting on the ground. It’s disgusting!”
