Feng Shui

Informant:

N.D. is my best friends’ father. He grew up in New Jersey under some challenging circumstances. He was not given anything and had to work for everything that he had. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 and has worked his way up from the role of a humble construction worker to the owner of a construction company. He is a very successful contractor and enjoys an adventurous life full of skiing, hiking, and traveling with his three sons and wife.

Folklore:

“This is a good one. I have built several, several houses. I’ve suspended guest houses from cliffs and built soccer fields on top of buildings. Those jobs made these clients a piece of cake… I had an elderly Chinese couple that bought a house in Santa Monica… wanted me to remodel for them… that was the plan at least. I have never experienced more particular people in my entire life. The entire infrastructure of the house had to be built to precise specifications in the name of Feng Shui. I would propose a renovation and they would hate it. I couldn’t win with them. When I finally finished the most frustrating job of my life… I finally looked at them and asked ‘Why did you buy this house? You hired me for a remodel… this is a new house.’ You know what they told me? The address number was good luck. I walked away not sure whether to smile or freak out…. Did a little of both.”

Analysis:

The concept of Feng Shui is extremely interesting, and can be extremely complicated. It’s the “Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment.” Very similar to Daoism, Feng Shui is basically the Chinese form of superstition and maintaining good luck in their lives. Many Chinese realtors and independent buyers have knocked on our door in Palos Verdes making us offers on our house, as it presents a strong sense of Feng Shui. We have a large olive tree in our front yard, directly in front of our front door. According to Feng Shui, if any good luck escapes the house, this tree will shepherd it back inside.