Two men in Guangzhou engaged in a verbal dispute on the street and spat at each other. Both insisted they adhered to the principle of ‘speaking but not hitting’. No physical assault occurred, and police did not intervene as no injury or property damage was reported.

Social Context

In China, spitting in public is prohibited under the Civic Conduct Promotion Regulations and local urban management ordinances, with fines up to 50 RMB. While verbal altercations rarely trigger legal action unless escalating to defamation or public disorder, social norms strongly emphasize face-saving and non-physical conflict resolution—hence the ironic invocation of ‘speaking but not hitting’ reflects both restraint and performative civility in public disputes.

Safety Tip

Avoid prolonged eye contact or provocative gestures during public disagreements; calmly disengage and seek mediation from nearby staff or authorities if tension rises.