Smallworld: with Sylvia Patterson in London
In the past few months, a new "craze" has bowled through London, like no craze as we formerly knew it. Round my way, in the olden days, it was pogo-sticks, Clackers, Rubik’s Cubes and ‘Umbongo, Umbongo, They Drink It In The Congo’. To my knowledge, no one was hurt or arrested in pursuit of these larks, though my sister, once, literally peed herself laughing on a pogo-stick – which would constitute, these days, a children’s playground hazard and 12 months observing an ASBO with a shed affixed to her leg.
This new wheeze, though, is a 21st-Century stormer: it’s called 'Happy Slapping'. It’s a teenage boy’s sport, it involves technology and it goes like this: boy is excited about having a videophone the price of a second-hand car, boy sees 100 per cent oblivious stranger in a public place (usually much older, male or female), slaps them across the face, videos the horrified reaction and sends it to all his chums, instantaneously becoming the coolest wag alive, and girls want to hang on his every word.
Call me old-fashioned, but this used to be called assault. It’s grim, pitiful stuff, but here’s some encouraging news: trawl the mean streets of cyberspace and The Kids are just as appalled. "I think it will get old and not cool," writes one, "They’ll wake up and stop being so totally immature." "It’s a direct result," scolds another, "of lack of consequence in this country." "It’s just a London thing," soothes another, "up north it’s all conkers and Nicky Knocky Nine Doors."
They’ve contemplated its origins – "from Europe," apparently – where the sport involves beating up after-hours drunks, filming the event and resulting road-kill and awaiting their peer-judged "score". Picked up here by London’s black communities, there’ve been sightings in leafiest St Albans, home of the whitest public schoolboys on Earth. Schools, now, are banning the use of videophones, because the little guys are impersonating the big guys (eight-year-olds, naturally, find it hilarious). The slappers, now, are being battered in the streets by the grown-ups, who are mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore.
Back in cyberspace, a new version seems to involve ice-cream. "A white guy licked another guy with a cone," observes another voice, "and knocked him out cold. I’ve seen it. Another guy gets superkicked in the face." And then, the inevitable. "Try slapping me I will shoot your ass. I sleep on the underground and if they try it I will cap one of ’em. I ain’t scared of the cops, I’ll use it. It’s dangerous, but ain’t nobody got my back; I do things alone most of the time." Is that you, the new Travis Bickle?
"I think the cameraphone in general was a bad idea," says a sad voice in outer space: "Slapping, filming women without their knowledge, taking pics of car numbers for cloning. They screwed up big-time with this."
The big-screen mobile phone market, targeted directly at The Kids via games, has a globally projected value of £5.2 billion by 2010.
Hotels and Responsible Tourism
In light of the concerning wave of "Happy Slapping" incidents, it is essential to address the broader issue of responsible tourism and the role hotels can play in promoting safety and respect in public spaces. While the aforementioned craze is a disturbing trend tied to technology, it is crucial to ensure that hotels create an environment that discourages such behavior and fosters a sense of community and respect.
Establishing Codes of Conduct
Hotels can take the lead in establishing codes of conduct that outline expected behavior within their premises. By clearly communicating expectations to guests, hotels can encourage a safe and respectful atmosphere for everyone. These codes of conduct can explicitly state zero tolerance for any form of harassment, violence, or disrespectful behavior.
Training and Awareness Programs
Hotel staff should receive comprehensive training on recognizing and addressing inappropriate behavior. They should be equipped with the skills to intervene effectively and deescalate potential conflicts. Furthermore, hotels can organize awareness programs for guests, highlighting the importance of responsible behavior and the consequences of engaging in activities that harm others.
Surveillance and Security Measures
Implementing surveillance cameras and increasing security measures within hotels can help deter individuals from engaging in harmful activities. Monitoring public spaces, such as lobbies and corridors, can provide a sense of security and discourage potential wrongdoers.
Collaboration with Local Authorities
Hotels should establish strong partnerships with local authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure quick and effective response to any incidents that may occur. By working together, hotels and authorities can send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated, both within the premises and in the surrounding area.
Engaging with the Local Community
Hotels can actively engage with the local community to foster a sense of unity and mutual respect. By participating in local initiatives, supporting community projects, and promoting responsible tourism practices, hotels can help create a positive environment that rejects harmful trends like 'Happy Slapping'.