Your behavior key to building a better society

The Chinese translation of The Good Citizen by Michael Schudson hit bookstores recently, providing Chinese readers a chance to gain an insight into the history of American public politics.

While that is welcome, I find it more interesting to look into the lack of awareness about citizenship in many individuals in China. In fact, many would frown upon at the very mention of how some people behave in public.

A tale goes like this: An old man lies on his back at a crossroads, waiting for someone whom he can blackmail. A young man walks up to him and says he is too poor for extortion. The old chap waves his hand, telling the young guy to leave him alone. Another man approaches the old man and says he is even poorer than the first and doesn't have enough money to even support himself. The old man gets up immediately and lets the young guy lie down in his place, saying, "your need to blackmail an upstart driving by in a fancy limousine is even greater than mine".