Foul-mouthed Shanghai Residents Could Be Fined

If you're tired of obscenity-littered tiffs on the street, you may want to think about moving to Shanghai, China.

Authorities in the city say they may fine foul-mouthed residents as part of a new regulation governing behaviour at public venues.

The Luo Huarong of the "civilisation affairs office" in Shanghai says: "Dirty words often lead to fights, some of which may turn lethal".

"The city needs to draft a law that metes out fines to the offenders", she adds. The size of the fine could "vary depending on the income of the offenders".

Shanghai has launched various campaigns to improve the manners of its 20 million residents ahead of the 2010 World Expo, which the local government considers a coming-of-age party for China's financial capital.

Efforts have included teams of students being sent out to smile at strangers in public places to "spread politeness" and equipping its 45,000 taxis with spit-sacks to stop drivers from rolling down their windows and spitting on the street.

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