Priorities

I remember when I first came to hong Kong in 1989. The 垃圾蟲 (lap sap chung, litter bug) campaign had just started. Now people would be made to feel bad about littering. Woo-hoo! Nothing seemed to happen, except a lot of joking. Then, about ten years ago, the anti-litter fine kicked in. $1,500 for throwing anything anywhere except into a dustbin! Great idea.

Since then the 垃圾 situation has become, if anything, worse. At least in Pui O. Especially Pui O Beach. 貝澳沙灘 (Bui O Sa Tan, Shell Inlet Sand Beach.) Dozens of signs tell you not to throw sand, fly kites, smoke and play with balls, but throwing rubbish everywhere seems to be okay.

Every weekend it’s a nightmare to be at home, 10 minutes’ walk away from the beach public announcement speakers, as they scream out new orders every two minutes about only swimming inside the yellow line (preferably not swimming), not hopping into the mouths of sharks and not smoking – right into my earhole. It’s as if the speakers were inside the house. I can’t think or work as the relentless announcements screech on from 9AM to 6PM. In fact 30% of the screams seem to be about the life guards knocking off work in 30, then 15, then 5 minutes…

But there are no announcements reminding people not to drop every lemon tea container, empty water bottle and McDonald’s wrapping straight down where they stand. No, that stern admonition is reserved for dogs.

It’s a good thing the water is so disgusting it’s impossible to swim in, otherwise I’d miss going to the beach.