Beijing isn't just cleaning up the smog in time for the Olympics, it's trying to cleanse its social image as well.  The Chinese government has issued its citizens a list of guidelines on how to behave around foreigners, and its even allowing designated areas for human rights protesters while the games go on.

The list of "eight don't asks" issued by the Dongcheng district Propaganda Department serve as a guide for locals to avoid potentially awkward, 'improper' conversations.  The Olympics logo stamped poster that was released advises the following:

"Don't ask about income or expenses, don't ask about age, don't ask about love life or marriage, don't ask about health, don't ask about someone's home or address, don't ask about personal experience, don't ask about religious beliefs or political views, don't ask what someone does."

Several etiquette guidelines were also issued in the past several months advising citizens not to litter, spit in public, or even speak loudly in public as such things may provide a "negative image" to the thousands of visitors expected to attend this year's Olympics.

Many Chinese attitudes towards the guidelines can be found in Internet blogs.  Some express feeling nervous, not knowing why they have to adapt to supposed "Western behavior."  Sex, religion, and job wages make up a great deal of idle chit-chat in the country, which, ironically enough, are pretty common in the US, at least, too.  The last time I checked, spitting in public runs pretty rampant in most parts of the world too.  html_removed But the Chinese government is bent on creating a positive image for itself, and doesn't want to take any chances.

In another news story found in today's edition of the Los Angeles Times, it appears China is to actually allow protests during the games, albeit in a limited way.  Human rights activists who obtain permission from the Ministry of Public Security are allowed to designate in three select areas surrounding the Forbidden City--Purple Bambloo Park, World Park, and Ritan Park.  Some see this as a major positive development in the country, but others argue it's a short term display of "good government behavior" to the rest of the world.  

Sharon Hom, the New York-based executive director of Human Rights in China notes that the protest areas are conspicuously away from the Olympic TV cameras, and says 'Good Luck' to those who do get on the air.  "Try demonstrating about Tibet, Taiwan, Tianamen Square, and see what happens."  

Susan Browwell, a University of Missouri professor who is studying the games and worked on the proposal for the protest zones acknowledges that they are an experiment for the government, but that "we are hoping that it will serve as an experiment that will allow them to go forward."