Never spit indoors, unless you’re using a receptacle of some kind. In the case that you are using a receptacle, as in wine tasting or tobacco chewing, it’s important that you keep your receptacle concealed. Nobody wants to sit next to your empty water bottle filled with brown tobacco juice at the library. Put it away. Don’t make a habit of spitting just to spit, even if you’re outdoors. If you’re sick, or have a serious need, that’s the only time you should be spitting in a courteous way.
Sometimes, when you’re outside working, it’s just not possible or practical to spit into a hanky. If this is the case, walk a few paces away from where you’re working and spit off the beaten path. If it’s particularly gross, kick some dirt over it for good measure.
If you’re playing sports and spit on the field, it’s sometimes common courtesy to stamp it into the grass so your gross loogie isn’t sitting at the 50 yard (45. 7 m) line for everyone to fall in.
Generally, it’s best to spit as close as possible to the ground to avoid making it gross. Bend over at the waist over your receptacle and spit.
This is always insulting. Because of this, it can also be provocative and confrontational, which could lead to an escalation in a tense situation. Be very careful if you ever attempt to do this.
If you’re only going to be tasting a few varieties, it’s always perfectly ok to swallow the wine instead. Just get a designated driver.
Old-style spittoons were first introduced to help control the spread of tuberculosis and other communicable disease spread by contact with bodily fluids. Spittoons are still common in some public buildings, including the United States Senate.
