"My husband doesn't spit on the street anymore. I'm careful to line up when I take the bus," Yan added cheerfully.
Beijing's People's University sent out students from its Sociology Department to observe people's public conduct and concluded that manners had greatly improved. In a bid to quantify the changes, the university devised a "civic index," which it reported had risen from 65 in 2005 to 72 as of December.
Sha Lianxiang, the sociology professor who led the study, said that China needed to clean up its act so the quality of life could catch up with the exploding economy. The Olympics merely presented a convenient excuse.
"The problem is that the market economy happened so suddenly that people got involved in this harsh competition," Sha said.
"China didn't have time like the Western countries to develop the civility that should go along with a developed economy."
Critics wonder whether Beijing isn't just sweeping its social problems under the rug for the Olympic period to create an illusion of a modern, sanitized China when in fact little has changed.
Wallechinsky, the Olympic historian, recalls staying in Seoul to do some sightseeing after the 1988 Summer Olympics ended.
"In just one extra day, there were beggars, there were street vendors -- all sorts of things we didn't know existed during the Olympics," Wallechinsky said.
Jing Jun, a sociologist at Beijing's Tsinghua University, said that a meaningful change in Chinese society would require far more than refined manners.
"A lot of people think that manners are a sign of civilization," Jing said. "But to have a truly harmonious society, that is much deeper and has to do with our political system. We can't just pretend to be polite and gentle."
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barbara.demick@latimes.com
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Olympic etiquette
Excerpts from an online quiz taken by 17 million Chinese, which ended July 12.
On formal occasions, when wearing a dark suit, the color of the socks should be . . . ?
A. White.
B. Dark.
C. Light-colored.
What is the appropriate time to applaud in a symphony concert?
A. A pause in a musical composition.
B. After the whole musical composition ends.
C. Any time when you feel happy.
Which seat in a car should be reserved for a distinguished guest?
A. The passenger seat.
B. Right side of the back seat.
C. Left side of the back seat.
What is the appropriate behavior when receiving presents from foreigners?
A. Express gratitude and put the presents aside.
B. Express gratitude, open the presents and voice your pleasure in front of other people.
C. Express gratitude, open the presents and make no comment.
The answers are all B.
Los Angeles Times
