This Public Bathroom Has Glass Doors To Shame Rule Breakers
fair game: a person or thing that is considered acceptable to criticize, laugh at, or target
Using a bathroom might suddenly become a public event if you light a cigarette in one Chinese mall. At the Shuibei International Centre, management is using new technology to stop illegal indoor smoking. The bathroom doors are made of a special glass that is normally opaque to provide privacy. However, these doors are connected to special smoke sensors. If a person smokes inside, the glass instantly becomes transparent. This exposes the smoker to everyone else in the restroom.
This bold move has started a large debate on social media about privacy and public health. Supporters of the technology say that people who break the rules are fair game for public shaming. A notice on the door warns visitors: “The glass will turn transparent if you smoke. Hold your urge to smoke if you do not want to become famous online.” Legal experts say the mall could be responsible if the technology breaks and exposes people who are not smoking. However, many residents are happy with the new windows because they want clean air. For many people in Shenzhen, following the law is more important than the privacy of smokers.
Sample sentences
Once a person becomes a famous movie star, their private life often becomes fair game for newspapers.
If you leave your expensive bike unlocked on the street, it might be seen as fair game for thieves.
After the politician was caught lying, his past mistakes became fair game for the media to talk about.
Origin
The expression fair game comes from old hunting laws. In the past, the word game was used to describe wild animals that people hunted for food or sport. Certain animals were protected by law, but others were not. If an animal was not protected, it was called fair game because anyone was allowed to hunt it.
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