Yep, Beijing is so flustered by all this expectoration that if a saliva-filled resident gets caught spitting it will cost 'em 50 yuan. And 50 yuan, which comes to about six-and-a-half bucks, is just about the average daily income of a college graduate in Beijing, The Associated Press reports.

A hefty fine for hocking a goober, indeed.

The thing is, China has been upset about this for years. You don't believe me? Check out all these articles:

• China issues 'spit bags'
  
• China wants to teach manners
  
• Travel writer finds out why Chinese men spit so much (but she doesn't tell us)
  
• China's iconographic "No Spitting" signs

And there's more. Lot's more. Just go Google "china spitting" and you'll see.

So, to all you Chinese fans of COTB, let's knock this spit off.