Mario Goveia wrote: [1] The continued spitting, urinating and defecating in public that can be seen across India is a national disgrace, aided and abetted by the failure of the municipal authorities to provide adequate and clean public toilets.
[2] I have seen low income areas in other tropical countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the modest houses or shacks do not have their own toilets, but everyone uses the many public toilets which are kept relatively clean. [3] In India, probably because of the habits brought by villagers migrating to urban areas, people have no compunction in urinating and defecating in public. [4] I have no idea what the women do in India, especially those wearing saris. I'm afraid to ask, but I'm sure someone will tell us:-)). == jc's response: Excellent posting. addendum 1: Even if the 'municipal authorities provide adequate and clean public toilets', I cannot envisage that the paan-spitters NOT spitting the red stuff on the walls of buildings and on the foot-paths. At most they would also spit all over the public toilets and continue spitting on the walls. addendum 2: The evidence of spitting started appearing on Goan walls and of defecation on Goan beaches started appearing only after 1965. BUT, If one is to believe some arm-chair planners who do not have a clue of the magnitude of the problem, the answer apparently is to place Port-a-loos all over the place. So, tourists can visit churches, temples and Portaloos! re [4] supra: One surely has heard of "Don't ask, Don't Tell (:-) jc