A pleasant spring evening rudely interrupted

What a fine spring evening it was last night. It’s the time of year when people go outside again, energized by the warmer weather to bike, walk or run.

I had those thoughts as I drove past the Tournament Capital Centre, and saw a slim young woman running along the sidewalk. The scene epitomized what the Tournament Capital is all about: health and wellness, keeping yourself fit.

Then she let loose with a stream of sputum that would put a hockey player to shame.

The urge to hork spittle is common among athletes during a game (can you imagine the state of the player box by the end of the third period?), but I’ve never understood spitting on the sidewalk. It seems to be right up there with food, shelter and sex as a basic human need.

Somebody really should do a study on this to determine a) why people have the urge to eject saliva in public places (or, indeed, in the privacy of their own homes),  b) why they think it is in any way socially acceptable and b) whether they feel peeing on sidewalks is also OK.

Really, do they think the rest of us are alright with walking through gobs of spit as we go from one place to another? (Take my advice, when next you hit the sidewalk, do not look down, and, under no circumstances, check out the bottom of your shoes. Not good.)

Maybe spring is to blame — I don’t think quite so many people spit on the sidewalk in snowy, slushy conditions. At any rate, to the young woman who runs for exercise and spits for fun — or whatever reason she does it — you certainly ruined the enjoyment of an otherwise pleasant spring evening.