Talal Alharbi

By : Talal Alharbi

In many countries that we visit for business, study or tourism, we are always described as the most law-abiding people, especially when it comes to cleanliness. When we are outside our country, we become teachers in cleanliness where we urge our children not to throw garbage in the streets, doorways or public places, or from moving cars.

There, we feel proud of ourselves. However, the situation changes completely when we come back to our homeland. Here, we become careless and unruly. In fact, this behavior is not limited to Saudis, but it is a problem with many peoples of the world. This behavior is contradictory to our values and customs. Nevertheless, there are many of us who insist on this uncivilized behavior.

It is disgraceful and disturbing to see a driver stops by the traffic light, opens his car window and starts throwing garbage in the street although he could be only few meters far from any garbage container. It is also very disturbing to see people having food in public parks, but when they leave the place, they leave behind “heaps” of garbage. Others would come and sit amid all of the mess, and no one of them bothers to clean the place. Their justification is that there are others who can do this job.

This has become a general phenomenon involving people from all walks of life: Children, women and men wearing the best of clothes, driving the latest cars and carrying most expensive mobiles.

If we leave it to these people, the problem will continue forever. Therefore, we need to start an awareness campaign to keep our country clean. If this doesn’t work, we must have strict laws to punish the violators. The reason that people in other countries, either nationals or visitors, do not throw things in the streets and public places is that there are laws, in addition to a common culture in this respect. There is an Arab saying that goes as, “He who feels secure from punishment will misbehave.”

Therefore, if we have such laws, that impose fines on any one who deliberately insists on dirtying our cities, this unwanted conduct will come to an end.

In some countries, there are agencies and departments that follow up on pollution and environment affairs. These have laws enforcement powers. So, why not have the same in our country? For how long this uncivilized behavior will continue?

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in the Column section are their own and do not reflect RiyadhVision’s point-of-view.

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