I am imagining a sign post reading ' No Spitting ' or 'No Urinating ' at the streets of downtown New York, Los Angeles or London. The beauty and civilisation of these cities would surely be in detriment. Surely, why would a prudent human being with nostrils and a sane mind be directed where and when to excrete? Back in India, it is normal to see such warning sign posts which also show the penalties to bear if found guilty of the offence. Its not that the government has ignored the construction of public toilets. Am led to believe that it's more to do with the upbringing of certain individuals and the tolerance that society accords them.These sign posts are common at public places like railway stations, bus stands and sports stadiums.

Why do people like spitting so much? There is nothing as exasperating as someone splashing a jet of a reddish oral discharge to a newly painted wall of a public building. I can't imagine the guts that would make me spit on a public utility building, of all places, let alone it being newly painted. The strange fact that I am yet to ascertain is why most people choose to spit in corners between walls. This is what draws me to a conclusion that the spitting habit has a lot to do with an individual's background. I am reminded of an elderly man who I observed at a bus station. He walked with a cigar in his hand along a platform, stopped at some point and starred, perhaps looking for an opportune place for his next action; and cleared his throat before spitting a gob of flushing green mucus on the platform and proceeded to smoke his cigarette. I wondered whether that man had any idea about the health risks he subjected others to by his spitting. Am bothered by people who spit every other time and more disturbed by those who spit all over with no regard to the health of others.

Leaking, like spitting is another social evil and a health hazard when conducted in places other than the designated convenient places .Every time I take an evening stroll, I must bump into someone leaking .Unlike spitting, stray leaking is not a habit. It's understandable that it may be an 'emergency' for people to seek 'refuge' in the bushes for a leak. In spite of it, what am bothered most about it is that it does not draw a distinction between human beings and other animals and the fact that after the leak, the individual is more likely not to wash his hands. One of the most lethal hazards of railway transport is the foul odor of human excrete. The first thing as you ascend to a train compartment is stench of leak and feces. An amalgamation of various stench may rent the atmosphere in a non AC compartment making the entire trip unpleasant.

What astounds me the most is not the spitting or the leaking but the stray defecating. I recall an incident when I was traveling by train and we happened to stop by at a station. I watched three fully grown adults defecating at a very short distance away from us. What surprised me more was that they were directly facing us and leaving completely nothing to our imagination as if to remind us of our customary African saying that 'Atunula yaswala' meaning 'he who stares is the one who will be ashamed'. It's really a shame in this day and age for a fully mature adult to even dare think of doing a thing like that let alone doing it practically.

I have also observed that the concept of using toilet paper is a clear abomination to many people. My argument is not against their traditional use of water to do their thing, all that am bothered about is the fact that many don't use soap along with the water. It worries me a lot and I even wonder how many people manage live a healthy long life in spite of it. It's my humble request that we all use soap along with water as we clean our selves. This is no offence to anyone.