Just How Civilized Are You? Government Surveys Beijingers to Expose 'Uncivilized' Behaviors

Beijing is on a regulating roll.

In an ongoing effort to manage public behavior, public administrators have published an online questionnaire about punishable ‘uncivilized’ conduct. On Aug 5, residents awoke to an intricate survey doing the rounds of social media, which lists 19 officially disapproved activities as well as condemnation of several cornerstones of Beijing behavior such as spitting on the streets, square dancing, making noise at sporting events, and (no surprise here) the Beijing bikini. Food wastage and seat-stealing have also joined the list of no-nos in the ever-growing push to refine public manners, with violators facing a range of penalties, from mild chastisement and community service to the possibility of detainment.

On the flip side, authorities are also seeking to encourage ‘civilized’ conduct. Alongside bad behaviors, the survey lists 12 approved activities in conspicuously flowery language as well as how they intend to reward such behavior. Fiscal compensation, a bolstered social credit score, and more are all on the table.

Beijing is but one of several Chinese cities currently undergoing social scrutiny and increased regulation. Earlier this summer, Shandong province's capital Jinan made headlines around the world for being the first city in China to roll out fines for the beloved Beijing bikini, while Shanghai began enforcing mindbogglingly complex citywide recycling requirements. Beijing, meanwhile, recently introduced new regulations on unseemly behavior on public transport and in public spaces, a move that garnered a mixed reaction from netizens, especially since many believed one of the rules – no dogs from parks – had been in place for a long time already.

In the past, the effectiveness of Beijing’s bans has been shaky to say the least (it took at least four attempts to properly ban smoking inside) and largely reliant on the support of grassroots groups or individual volunteers to nark on fellow citizens and implicate fines. However, with the social credit system set for nationwide implementation, a bright future awaits for Beijing’s behavioral regulations, even if it doesn't for many of our favorite pastimes.

Brush up and avoid the ire of your neighbors by quitting these behaviors:

1. Spitting, defecating, and littering on the streets
2. Disposing of trash without sorting
3. Walking dogs without a leash, not picking up after the dogs, raising unregulated or aggressive dog breeds
4. Burning paper money and other mourning material on the streets
5. Obstructing community spaces with personal belongings
6. Smoking in non-smoking spaces
7. Running red lights, jay-walking, and jumping traffic barriers
8. Parking motorcycles in unauthorized spaces, excessive honking, and refusing to yield to pedestrians
9. Cutting the line, seat stealing, and shouting on public transport
10. Making excessive noise at sporting or cultural events, leaving without picking up personal litter
11. Square dancing
12. Dumping trash from high-rises
13. Parking communal bicycles in unauthorized spaces.
14. Vandalizing and illicitly advertising on public buildings and structures
15. Treading on greenery, damaging parks
16. Exposing one’s torso and back
17. Using vulgar language online, propagating outdated superstitions
18. Wasting food in restaurants
19. Lighting fireworks

Get in the government's good books by partaking in these behaviors:

1. Combatting criminals and criminal behavior
2. Passionately supporting charity organizations
3. Volunteering at charities or participating in charity events
4. Donating blood, becoming an organ donor
5. Providing first-aid or support during emergencies
6. Returning lost items to owners or the police
7. Following traffic regulations, discouraging, and reporting any traffic violations
8. Sorting garbage without official prompts and encouraging others to separate garbage
9. Taking the initiative in protecting and cleaning public spaces
10. Discouraging and/or reporting uncivilized behavior
11. Immediately stopping any antiquated, superstitious acts on the streets
12. Participating in public governance, enthusiastically supporting government structures in protecting public safety and maintaining order

If you would like to prove your unwavering civility, take the survey for yourself here (in Chinese).

READ: Who Let the Dogs Out? Beijing Bans Dogs From Public Parks, Again

Images: Baidu