A Comedy of Manners: The Public Behavior Civilization Index

Paul Pennay | Oct 28, 2008 11:00 am | 7 comments | 5286 reads

According to the latest figures from the Humanistic Olympic Studies Center (人文奥运研究中心) at the People’s University of China (Renmin Daxue), Beijing’s citizens are becoming more polite. The center maintains a public behavior civilization index (北京市民公共行为文明指数) that attempts to put a figure on how civilized residents of the capital (including laowai) really are. The index is based on an annual survey of 12,000 randomly chosen Beijing residents along with 1,200 long-term expats (must have lived in the city for more than 2 years). The center also takes into account 3,000 hours of observation of 400,000 pedestrians and 390,000 vehicles at 360 public places across the city when calculating the figure.

The latest results of the Humanistic Olympic Studies Center’s research were released yesterday, it revealed that Beijing residents are now paying more attention to their behavior and manners in public places than ever before. The figure for this year's results is 82.68 (100 would mean that there was absolutely no bu wenming behavior talking place) and is a vast increase on the score of 65.21 achieved in 2005. Like the numbers of “blue sky” days, the PBCI has increased at a constant rate in the lead up to the Olympics. In 2006 Beijingers had achieved a mark of only 69.06 in terms of their manners and in 2007 this had improved to 73.38.

According to the report, there has been a marked decrease in the number of people jumping queues while waiting for a bus, jaywalking, littering and spitting. There has also been an increase in the willingness of residents to give directions and give up their seats to others on public transport.

2008 2007 2005
Jumping the queue while waiting for the bus 2.2% 5% 38%
Jaywalking 0.49% 2.5% 24%
Littering 1.1% 2.86% 9.1%
Giving up your seat 98% 95% 76%
Giving directions and help 97% 95% 71%

Links and Sources
Humanistic Olympic Studies Center
Sdinfo.net: 调查显示：北京市民公共行为文明指数显著提升
Qianlong: 北京市近日调查显示市民公共文明指数显著上升
Qianlong: 奥运会带来文明之风 北京人越来越文明了
Beijing Evening News: 北京市民公共文明指数显著上
Zhejiang Daily: Image
xmnext.com: image 2

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Granito's picture Granito Submitted by Guest on Wed, 10/29/2008 - 12:28

Compared to when I was here in 2005 things have improved leaps and bounds. I miss a little the constant jockying to get in the subway and the everyone-for-themselves feeling every time I walked outside but I guess it gets on westerner's nerves when it's an everyday occurrence.
I would like to make a call to reduce ripped children pants for bathroom issues though.

Where's the ska at?

4chan.org, the asshole of the internet.

pembroke's picture pembroke Submitted by Guest on Tue, 10/28/2008 - 17:02

coco-nuts wrote:
Even a non-scientist would be able to tell you that it has gotten a little better. But to be honest, I think one doesn't need to look hard at the bus stops around Wangfujing, Landao, and Workers Stadium to see rampant line cutting. This is an everyday person's quality of life issue and more needs to be done to enforce and instill a sense of civilization. If we can't get basic things like this right, how will we ever tackle more complicated issues?

like tying their shoelaces

coco-nuts's picture coco-nuts Submitted by Guest on Tue, 10/28/2008 - 15:52

Even a non-scientist would be able to tell you that it has gotten a little better. But to be honest, I think one doesn't need to look hard at the bus stops around Wangfujing, Landao, and Workers Stadium to see rampant line cutting. This is an everyday person's quality of life issue and more needs to be done to enforce and instill a sense of civilization. If we can't get basic things like this right, how will we ever tackle more complicated issues?

rbourne's picture rbourne Submitted by Guest on Tue, 10/28/2008 - 15:37

Sounds great!
I think I have noticed a marked improvement in the two and a half years I have been in BJ; however, I think they set the bar for perfect a little too low. Now that they are up to 82.7 I think it is time to start looking at other behaviors. Most importantly I want to look at drivers who cut in front of buses or try to run down pedestrians. Others jockey for better lane position on the highway. Secondly I want to look at trash disposal. Littering may be down but recycling is not up, too often the recycle bin and trash bin are mixed with the same contents.

I applaud the effort but the forming of a modern harmonious society is a never ending battle that must constantly be taken to new battlegrounds.

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