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Beijingers taught to behave themselves for Olympic Games
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-02-21 15:44
BEIJING, February 21 (Xinhua) -- Beijing's residents are being educated in
everyday etiquette ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, an occasion regarded
by many as a chance for China to show the world its rich history and how far
Beijing has progressed in recent years.
The Beijing Municipal Women's Federation has launched a campaign to help
local people learn more about matters relating to daily life, to deal with
family chores and to establish a friendly relationship with their neighbors.
The move is an important part of Beijing's efforts to build a harmonious
society and to improve local residents' manners ahead of the Olympics, said Xi
Ronghua, chairperson of the Beijing Municipal Women's Federation.
A cartoon book, containing life stories of world-renowned figures such as
Socrates, Madame Curie and Strauss, and covering problems arising in people's
daily life, has been published to teach residents how to deal with relationships
involving husband and wife and parent and child as well as various family
chores. The book also teaches people how to mix with their neighbors.
Several thousand copies of the cartoon book have been sent to women's
federations at various levels in the city, several hundred household nurses and
students at female-only schools. These groups are regarded as the best channels
for widely spreading correct etiquette in the family.
"As a Chinese saying goes: 'Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all
undertakings," Xi said. "We hope that the move will help everybody correct his
or her uncivil behaviors so everybody can enjoy a harmonious life within both
family and the neighbourhood."
Respecting the old and cherishing the young have long been a virtue valued by
Chinese people along with friendly neighborhood relations.
However, uncouth behavior, such as quarrels amongst families and neighbors
and swearing in public, is also evident in local society.
City Mayor Wang Qishan has already said that the most troublesome task for
the city in preparing for the Olympic Games is the improvement of its residents'
manners.
A survey showed that booing and even swearing by audiences to show their
discontent with players' performances are two of the most irritating bad manners
that tarnish the image of the Chinese capital. Other bad habits listed in the
report include spitting, littering, violation of traffic regulations and
passengers jostling with each other on buses.
Last summer, Beijing authorities kicked off a campaign to correct local
residents' uncivil behaviors. They were taught about the Olympic Games, audience
etiquette, occupational protocols and everyday behaviors.
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