Crappy Public Transport that Will Leave You Pissed

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By Tony Lewis

Chinese manners (or lack thereof) should not come as a surprise to anyone who has lived in China for any length of time. It seems that every time you get baozi there’s another example. From opening emergency exits on planes, to not understanding what a line (queue) is- the Chinese culture definitely takes some getting used to in this aspect alone.

One of the most appalling feats of China’s customs to me is their willingness to turn any bush, corner, or public building into their personal toilet. I must admit, at first I was curious as to why all the toddlers walked around with pants that left their bottoms bare. 

I didn’t have to wonder for long because after a few weeks of being in Beijing I stood dumbfounded as I watched one such kid take a dump right outside of my office building- then mother and child casually walked off- leaving a steaming pile behind. 

About a month later another Chinese family upped the ante when I was waiting for a friend at the Beijing Airport. Immediately after disembarking the airport express, a mother hoisted their child up so that he could pee directly into a trashcan just a few feet from where I was sitting with a horde of other passengers passing by. I can only hope that there wasn't a hole in that garbage bag.

Needless to say, in most western countries acts like these will get you at least a fine if not some jail time as well.

However, these acts pale in comparison to others who make do where they are- namely public transport. There have been several incidents over the years that have caught the attention- and disgust- of expats in China, here are just a few. 

This mother pciturred above was too absorbed in her cell phone to let her pesky kid bother her about using the toilet while on the Shenzhen MTR. She did notice the ‘accident’ but as you can see was too busy on WeChat or something to worry about it.

This grandmother encouraged her kid to pee on the train in Shenyang. After the deed was done she then complained that car was too dirty and hurried her grandson onto a cleaner part of the train. 

This likely adorable little girl went potty as her mother absentmindedly looked on in Hong Kong. At least this mother made a halfhearted attempt to wipe up the mess.

Only two weeks ago this suspected mainland tourist in the bustling Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station decided to drop one as onlookers rushed by. 

Yet another auntie asists her little man with peeing on the MTR floor in Shanghai. I hope she bought that other guy a new pair of shoes.

Not surprisingly when Chinese travel abroad the story isn’t much different. The woman picture above decided to fertilize someone’s lawn in Los Angeles, California, US. The woman pictured below gives her grandson a hand as he poops outside a Burberry shop near Marylebone Station in the heart of London, UK on what looks to be a Chinese shopping trip.  

The worst of all of these must be when these incidents occur on planes. Sure you can get off and catch the next train on the MTR or wait a few minutes for the next bus. But on a plane: there’s no escape.

This lovely mother had her son defecate in the back of the plane on the way to Guangzhou from Nanjing despite there being TWO empty restrooms. The reason: the rooms were too small. What’s worse: the plane hadn’t even taken off yet.

I haven’t been able to figure out what exactly is it in Chinese culture that makes people think this is ok. And what makes locals in the vicinity unwilling or afraid to speak up about these types of acts. Maybe you can help me out?

On the other hand I do kind of understand their wanting to relieve themselves outside of restrooms. Have you BEEN in a Chinese public toilet!?

Source: Shanghaiist.com & CNN.com

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