Superstition Trumps Everything... and don't be blaming your watch!

Superstition or Stupidity?

Living in the #Philippines poses a unique set of problems for most foreigners, especially the English speaking. Communications in the Philippines is one of those unique problems and can be a real artform. When developed over time, effective communications go a long way towards the preservation of one's sanity... and wallet.

Late last year, we were finishing up a construction project at our home on Samar Island. We acquired the lot that adjoins our property and we have been busy expanding our little slice of paradise. I have made a series of videos titled "Expanding our Paradise" and are available on my YouTube channel for those interested in watching. What prompts me to write about our latest exercise in futility is because it is a communications -based problem strewn with superstitious beliefs. It is about a construction gaff by the welder we hired to construct a spiral staircase from the patio area to the newly constructed roof-deck. On the day he showed up with the completed staircase, I immediately noticed his major blunder. The staircase wound upwards in a clockwise direction, opposite of the counter-clockwise manner that was designed. When I questioned him about why he built the spiral backwards, he seemed confused. I think in actuality he was really embarrased, but to save face he acted confused. I took the time to refresh his memory and went back and forth about our initial discussion and design of this stairwell. I reminded him of the drawings that I supplied to him (that had been conspicuously misplaced), which specifically indicated a counter-clockwise spiral. I found myself going back and forth with him over the difference between clockwise and counter-clockwise and eventually, after he gave a short pause combined with another look of confusion, he uttered "I do not wear a watch!"

There was really nothing I could do at this point (except tug at my hair) - The stairs were completed and they really needed to be installed because of our upcoming family holiday gathering. So we made some on-site modifications and designed a landing platform at the top to accommodate the last step onto to the roof deck. Note: because the stairs wind the way they do, I was unable to extend the bar (on the left in the photo below) all the way to the wall as per our original construction design. Instead, we installed a planter box in that wasted space.

While the workers installed the steel structure, I then noticed that the step spacing seemed a little off. I measured 9 inches between each step and recalled to the welder that the step spacing was supposed to be 7 inches, also per the drawing (that we didn't have). I re-measured with him observing. Once again I questioned him as to why he could not follow simple instructions. This time however he had an answer at the ready... "Seven is no good number!" I'm sure I expressed a total look of confusion when I inquired "Not good for who?" He exclaimed "not good for Chinese!" At this point all I could say in disgust was "Do I look Chinese?" I surmised he was referring to some strange Chinese cultural belief (like Filipinos don't have enough superstitions of their own, they have to import more). I couldn't find it in me to argue with him at this moot point, mostly because of the language barrier, but mainly because of his inability to comprehend any rationality, and the fact that the stair installation was nearly complete. It was too late to turn back now... I needed these stairs today. I left the builder and his workers to finish the job as I shook my head in frustration and proceeded inside to look up this mysterious supersitition. Yes indeed... while the number "Seven" is considered a lucky number in China, if it is combined with the numbers 4 and 5, i.e. "4-5-7" (in this case, the number 4 is very unlucky, and when added to 7, equalled 11 which is the total number of stairs on the spiral!), this would be extremely inauspicious as it would translate literally to "Death does not allow you to leave" or further interpreted "Even in death you cannot escape."

In my non-superstitious mind, I looked for a way to accept my builder's cynical mindful frenzy. I began to look for any rationalization in this silly scenario. I thought... just maybe because of the seriousness of it all (the penalty for violating this ancient belief was way to great, like death!), I would just accept things the way they were, all things aside. After all, it was for safety's sake, right?

While I could never figure out how the number 5 ("4-5-7") fit into this superstitious scheme, I did learn two valuable lessons - One, a backwards staircase still accomplishes the major objective and was nothing a good full night of drinking couldn't overcome. Two, you should always inquire of your contractor about any superstitions they may hold before they begin your project. Oh, and if there was an additional lesson to be learned, it's that my dog doesn't seem to care one iota about such trivial things!