Mystery Solved

Well the mystery of the swastikas was solved. As much as it is going to be solved, that is. Our contractor told us that he spoke with his Ecuadorian guys about the first swastika that appeared on the wood beam and that they didn’t know where it came from or why it was there. We thought maybe it was drawn on there before the wood was deliver to us and chalked it up to a mistake. The second one, around the tub framing is actually the same one as the first one—I can see that now in the close up photo and I actually thought that all along…it was Eric who wasn’t so sure and put that doubt into my head when the third one showed up, before the resolution came. 

Our contractor jumped right on this issue when we brought up the third one which was great.  He called around to all the subs that were there that day, all of whom seemed to know nothing about the drawing or why it would even be there. The next day his Ecuadorian guys were onsite, he spoke to them about it again and this time one of them took responsibility. It is unclear to me if he also drew the first one, but I guess it really doesn’t matter. They appeared to be taken aback finding out that the owner of the house was Jewish, and expressed apologies and regret. Evidently it’s a symbol that they use to egg each other on, perhaps as if to say “if you don’t do this job well I will kick your ass like a Nazi”—that part is still very fuzzy to me, but as long as I know that it wasn’t directed towards us it’s okay in my mind. I had the option to speak to the guy personally and let him apologize directly to me, but it didn’t seem necessary as I am sure he was mortified. So, no one needs to be fired.  We did express some discomfort with one of the electrician’s assistants and our contractor asked that he be repurposed to another job, something I wasn’t requiring but I guess it is for the best. But that coincided with the “Great Swastika Interrogation of 2006” so I have a feeling that everyone here thinks it was related and is scared they might be fired. Now I feel shitty about that.  So just to recap:  a symbol offended us, I brought it up, and now I feel guilty because of the repercussions. So I guess that’s the proof that I am Jewish after all, eh? 

Comments

[Gary]

Just think, if you were Catholic then you could feel guilty about all the good things you do!

[Andrea]

Hi Dana.

I'm glad the mystery is solved. Sometimes I can't believe that some people can be such a**holes. As for feeling guilty - NO WAY! That guy was the one defacing your property. He should feel guilty. In fact, I wouldn't even want him doing any more work on my place. I couldn't trust someone who was so childish and destructive. So don't feel guilty, ok? Be proud that you were strong enough to point out the grafitti.

[~dana]

thanks for the support everyone. It's been a rough week and things are finally starting to look up. I am definitely letting this one slide as the guys are working extra special hard and both offensive symbols are no longer there. I made it very clear that if we see another one, then heads will roll. All in all, it ended pretty amicably so unless something else happens I am willing to forget about it.