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Time to learn manners

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Elaine Yauin Beijing

A recent survey revealed that civil education is lacking in Hong Kong. People tend to wrongly associate civil-mindedness with cleanliness.

Last September, the Study Group of the Concern on Youth Development interviewed 270 Tai Po primary students aged between eight and 12 about their views on public manners.

Seventy-eight per cent of the respondents regarded themselves as civil-minded. They thought that spitting and smoking in non-smoking areas were the most uncivilised forms of behaviour.

The majority of students thought that observing personal hygiene in public would make them civil-minded citizens.

More than 80 per cent said maintaining a clean and hygienic environment was essential for building a civil-minded society.

They attached less importance to other civil manners, such as courtesy and being considerate to others.

'After the Sars and bird flu crises, people have become more aware of personal hygiene. However, many still show poor manners in public,' said Edward Lee Chi-shing, chairman of the concern group and member of the Tai Po District Council.

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