Delhi's citizens told to brush up on etiquette for Commonwealth Games

A commuter walks past the New Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 mascot in New Delhi October 3, 2009. The government has compiled a list of do's and don'ts for its citzens at this year's Commonwealth Games to help showcase New Delhi's charms.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The government has compiled a list of do's and don'ts for its citzens at this year's Commonwealth Games to help showcase New Delhi's charms.

"We want to tell them don't urinate in public, don't spit, keep your houses and shops clean, keep public transport safe and such things," Delhi tourism chief Rina Ray told the Hindustan Times on Friday.

"This will tell every Delhiite that instead of being on the sidelines as a spectator, he or she can contribute to a better games."

New Delhi is preparing to host more than 100,000 foreign visitors during the Oct. 3-14 event and the capital hopes to use to games to show itself off as a truly global city.

"We don't want to start (the campaign) too early lest it fizzles out," Ray said.

The tips on good manners will be spread to through billboards, pamphlets, websites and audiovisual means in the coming months, Hindustan Times reported.

"We want to change Delhi's public culture, their behaviour towards each other and to guests...so that they are courteous," Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said at the Delhi Tourism Conclave on Thursday, the paper reported.

"We want tourists to go back with the impression that Delhi is a sophisticated city."

(Writing by Sanjay Rajan in Chennai; Editing by Alastair Himmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)