The difference between decency and trashing the joint

Civility dictates that we change the old habit of improperly disposing of garbage in public places.

When we talk about leaving a carbon footprint it may be worthwhile reminding ourselves of something less esoteric, something like the rubbish each of us leaves behind wherever we set foot outside.

After 120,000 people poured into Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on the morning of Oct 1 to witness the raising of the national flag, they left behind 3.5 tons of garbage, and it was reported that the four-day total was 32 tons. A 150-person-strong team was brought in to clean up so visitors who had to sit on the ground for a respite would find it clean enough for the purpose, a standard of cleanliness cited in the media.