
And last but not least, say hello and goodbye. Conscientious parents will teach the "hello and goodbye" routine – generally accompanied by over-exaggerated waving motions – to their kids pretty much from birth.
Now in China, in the village of Huangping, the notion of politeness has been extended a notch, and kids must salute passing cars. Every child should salute passing cars on their way to and back from school. This rule, which has supposedly been passed to teach kids respect, actually doubles as a money saving scam. If kids make cars aware of their presence, no speed bumps will be needed around school areas, saving the town a bundle.
Needless to say, this is a little backwards but also could end up achieving the exact opposite. Drivers could start saluting back, becoming distracted and ending up smashing into trees. The road to school could end up scattered with fuming cars, broken poles and injured people. Kids could be in great danger.
They could also start getting confused between people and inanimate objects and start saluting everything around, turning playtime into a mad affair...



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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karen @ Oct 26th 2009 12:42PM
This is one of the most ridiculous things they have ever come up with. What about the risk to the children's safety ? Where the F***k is their sense ??
Gordon @ Oct 26th 2009 3:36PM
I admire the idea that they are installing respect into the kids . English kids would do well to learn a bit of respect as well . When I was at school , the main road outside the school was often used by hearses as they travelled to the cemetary .
If we were walking home and a hearse drove past we had to stand still at the side of the road and wait until the procession had driven past . We were only then allowed to continue walking home .
Did learning discipline like this affect me negatively ? Definitely not . Maybe saluting cars sounds a bit daft but the fact that they are installing discipline into the youngsters is a good thing .
Standing up in a bus for a lady (any age) or a person older than you is not heard of these days , why , because it seems to be against human rights to teach children a bit of respect for others .
As for the safety of the kids , well it is a lot safer than having kids run out in front of your car to kick their football , or ride their bicycles dangerously , as you drive down the road . At least this way the kids will be on the lookout for cars .
By the way , when did I finish school ? In 1984 . Not that long ago , but still to this day , if I get on a bus and an older person boards , I offer my seat . I still hold respect for hearses as they drive past . If I am wearing a cap , I still remove it when I enter a building .
Respect and chivalry goes a long way towards enhancing peoples lives .
mazaluk @ Oct 26th 2009 7:52PM
"Respect and chivalry goes a long way towards enhancing peoples lives."
Good for you. I believe that your comment needs drumming into most people in the UK - starting with Members of Parliament!