Somewhere around the turn of the last century spitting in public was made illegal due to the prevalence of tuberculosis. When the nasty little habit was viewed as a serious HEALTH PROBLEM, that pretty much stopped it......I haven't found anybody who remembers that law now.

Not nearly as bad as throwing cigarette butts on the ground.

Hocking a loogie is pretty damn disgusting. Watching someone chew (as in chewing tobacco) is even more disgusting. Not sure what's worse, spitting a blob of mucous on the ground or collecting your chew spittle in a container. BLECH! And @WonderlandJail, WTF is your trip man? People can post whatever they want. No need for you attack the OP.

Hmmmm... its a common thing in construction to chew tobacco. Even in the plants i worked. They spit in a trash can or cup. On the shop floor will get you in trouble. Cowboys around here spit. Its slowing down a bit. But its still a common thing. its a cultural thing. In public around females...no.

That is so gross. I find that to be a turn-off with men and women. I've stepped in a phelgm puddle before. My old residence, they had a lot expectorators.

What you find uncultured
Others might find simply human

But there is a difference between spitting on the park bench, sidewalk, or gutter

You're hanging out with the wrong dudes.

Send them to Singapore where is very expensive to spit in a public place.

Because it's suffocating and irritating, you need it out, you don't have a tissue handy, it takes only a second, it's inconvenient and impractical to find a restroom a dozen times a day just for that, we don't carry pocketbooks or purses, we are often better in touch with our animal natures, there is such a thing as being overly cultured, and we're not dainty little prissy pants.

I am a man and don't find it pleasant either. Good question though. Wish I could help ... Got nog..

Maybe they have a bad taste in their mouth.

It's longboarding season; my nose runs all the time, anyway--moreso when it's warm out, moreso still when I'm exerting myself. My sinuses drain constantly when boarding (or running), and I frequently spit on the ground, aiming for gutters/margins where none are likely to tread.

It's not cool; it's a biological process, for me--like sweating. I don't care who thinks it's disgusting. Sorrynotsorry.

I have no idea why anyone would do it unless they had to. And if you don't aim off the footpath you're just being asinine.

I see women spit in UK. Its beyond gross

I dunno. I see it often but personally don't do it.

Spitters are quitters

This is such a bizarrely accepted and disgusting habit. What about the opening of car doors when stopped at traffic lights in order for the driver or passenger to spit? Are they all trying to make weight? Ugh.

The only time I spit is when dirt or a bug flies in my mouth but I'm a damn yankee.

I live in Texas. I noticed it's very common for men to mid conversation to run outside and spit. They come back and talk like nothing happened.