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
neighborhood."
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.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)