How to Overcome Offending the Petty People (犯小人) in 2024

The concept of ‘Petty People’ or ‘小人’ in Chinese culture alludes to individuals with nefarious or malicious intentions.

These individuals often emerge as hidden adversaries in our professional or personal journeys, covertly erecting hurdles and preventing us from achieving our goals seamlessly. Such encounters lead to widespread feelings of resentment and vulnerability.

Today, let’s explore the phenomenon of ‘offending the petty people’ or ‘犯小人‘, its significance, and ways to defend ourselves from their negative influences.

Decoding ‘Offending the Petty People’ (犯小人)

The term ‘offending the petty people’ (犯小人) refers to inadvertently attracting the attention or animosity of these malicious individuals.

Their sudden emergence often catches people off guard. To achieve their goals, they will stop at nothing, often causing significant disruption and influence on others’ progress.

What Are These ‘Petty People’ Like?

• Always talking behind your back: This is the most common type. Even if you haven’t done anything wrong, they always find reasons to speak ill of you behind your back. It’s a typical tactic they use to harm others.
• Often taking advantage of you: Whether it’s in work tasks, resources, communication, or collaboration, they always try to cut corners and slack off, indirectly implying you should do more work.
• Always looking to complicate your work: These petty people are often jealous and petty-minded. They won’t focus on their job, and if you perform well, they feel unbalanced and always try to cause some trouble or set obstacles to impede your progress.
• Two-faced: They act differently in front of and behind you. They’ll praise you to your face to extract secrets, then backstab and betray you.
• Always trying to create minor conflicts between you and others: Another common tactic; they can’t stand seeing you have good relationships with others, so they’ll sow discord between you and your colleagues and then sit back and enjoy the drama.
• Quick to report you to superiors: Many encounter this: you make a minor mistake, or say something inappropriate, and these petty people immediately spread it, aiming to embarrass you and ensure your mistakes quickly reach the higher-ups, thereby trying to appear better than you.
• Advance at the expense of others: You pave the way, and they benefit. They are obsequious before a task, but afterward, not only do they not repay you, but they also deny your help. They use people to their advantage and disregard them when they’re no longer needed.
• Kick you when you’re down: Whenever you face adversity, they’ll come to add insult to injury, emphasizing that “you had it coming” or that you “got what you deserved”. They tend to gloat over others’ misfortunes.
• Love to pass the buck: Clearly, when these petty individuals are in the wrong, they never admit it. They’ll find a weaker individual to take the blame. With their sharp tongues and audacity, they can mislead many, creating false narratives that over time become accepted truths. Sometimes the real story gets buried and forever distorted.

Petty people are like flies, always buzzing around, irritating us. You might want to avoid them, but it’s difficult; they’re everywhere. Interacting with them carelessly can lead to significant losses.

Ancients said, “Knowing the face of a person doesn’t mean you know their heart.” They also said, “When speaking to others, be a bit reserved, and don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.” Another adage goes, “Don’t harbor ill intentions towards others, but always be on guard.”

There are also sayings like, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” and “It’s easy to dodge a direct attack, but hard to guard against a sneak attack.” These proverbs all teach us to understand society and protect ourselves.

So, don’t we have ways to deal with these petty people, vent our frustrations, and warn them? Wouldn’t that be killing two birds with one stone?

Shielding Ourselves from the “Petty People” (小人)

Place a Cactus

• Feng Shui Insight: A cactus, when placed strategically on an office desk or in a study at home, is considered a potent tool to counteract the ill effects of ‘petty people’. Feng Shui associates the cactus with warding off negativity, creating a barrier against these covert adversaries.
• Boosting Aura: Besides its protective nature, a cactus is believed to augment one’s aura, infusing individuals with newfound confidence and bravery.
• Safety First: Given its prickly nature, exercise caution when handling and always keep it out of children’s reach.

Wear Your Guardian Buddha

• Zodiac Guardians: Each zodiac sign in Chinese astrology is associated with a unique guardian Buddha. For instance, those under the Year of the Ox are safeguarded by Vairocana. Adorning a pendant featuring this Buddha can amplify one’s fortunes, thwart ‘petty people’, and safeguard against negative influences.
• Moral Compass: Under this guardian’s guidance, individuals gain heightened discernment, ensuring they remain unaffected by misleading intentions.

Keep Your Home Tidy

• Cleanliness Matters: A clutter-free environment is less inviting to ‘petty people’. An orderly home not only elevates its Feng Shui energy but also becomes a fortress against external disturbances.
• Emotional Equilibrium: A well-maintained habitat fosters feelings of joy, patience, and emotional stability — integral traits to effectively counter ‘petty people’.

Wear Zodiac Talismans

• Compatible Zodiacs: Engage with those whose zodiac signs complement yours. Taking the Year of the Horse as an example, they harmonize well with individuals from the Year of the Sheep. Building relationships with such signs or adorning related talismans can be immensely beneficial.
• Career Advancement: Regular interactions with compatible zodiacs and the use of zodiac talismans can usher in prosperity, ensuring a hassle-free professional journey. Regularly wearing zodiac talismans can also usher in good luck, especially propelling career growth, ensuring smooth sailing at work without too many challenges.

Which God to Pray to for Prevention of Petty People?

1. The Tiger God (虎爺 or Hǔ Yé)
   • Guardian Against the Malicious: Among the pantheon of protective deities in Chinese folklore, the Tiger God stands prominently as a fierce protector against ‘petty people’ and malevolent spirits. Often depicted with a fearsome tiger tiger, this deity is invoked specifically to shield individuals from backstabbers, detractors, and those with ill intentions.
   • Historical Significance: Traditionally, the Tiger God was worshipped by ancient Chinese communities as a village guardian, ensuring the safety of its inhabitants from both spiritual and physical threats. His fierce demeanor is believed to ward off evil spirits and negate the influence of ‘petty people’.
   • Rituals and Offerings: To seek the Tiger God’s protection, one can offer incense, candles, and food offerings at temples dedicated to him. It’s also common to see paper talismans bearing his image, which believers carry with them or place in their homes for added protection.
2. Guan Gong (关公): Often revered as the God of War and symbol of loyalty and righteousness, Guan Gong is frequently prayed to by business people and workers alike to ward off malicious intentions and bring prosperity. His red-faced statue, usually holding a guandao (a type of traditional Chinese weapon), is a common sight in many homes and businesses.
3. Tua Pek Kong (大伯公): Predominantly worshipped in Southeast Asia, this deity is believed to bestow protection and fortune upon his devotees. By praying to Tua Pek Kong, one seeks his shield against the ‘petty people’ and any negative energies that might deter personal or business growth.
4. Kwan Yin (观音): The Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, Kwan Yin is often approached when one desires peace, protection, and healing. Her calming influence can neutralize the malicious intentions of ‘petty people’, ensuring harmonious relationships in both personal and professional arenas.

How to Ward Off “Petty People” in Workplace

Among the many methods to ward off ‘petty people’, there are actually two straightforward and potent ways: seeking protection from deities and burning protective talismans.

In truth, every deity has the duty to fend off ‘petty people’. However, when it comes to workplace-related detractors, most people choose to pray to the City God (城隍爺), and the Dark Heavenly Supreme Deity (玄天上帝).

These are considered fiercer gods who uphold justice. The City God, in particular, presides over the judiciary of the underworld and is believed by many to be the most effective deity in eliminating ‘petty people’.

When praying to the City God (城隍爺), one should provide clear personal details and the name of the company they work for. Share your current challenges and identify the ‘petty people’ you suspect. Ask the City God for help and intervention.

If you can obtain a protective talisman against ‘petty people’ issued by an ordained Taoist priest, burning it at home would undoubtedly clear obstacles and brighten your path.

Everyone fears workplace detractors. If you wish for divine protection and peace in your job, consider visiting a temple to light a “Bright Lamp” or a “Peace Lamp”.

This ensures that you experience smooth sailing in your professional life. Even if you don’t receive significant raises or promotions, you can progress steadily without interference.

Safeguarding Against Malicious Intentions

‘Offending the Petty People’ (犯小人): An age-old challenge many face, yet with time, traditions have handed down a plethora of solutions.

While these strategies provide physical and mental protection, one must remember that the best defense is always a combination of internal strength and external remedies. As we navigate through the turbulence these detractors bring, we ought to ask:

Are we doing enough to recognize and shield ourselves from such adversities, or is there more to learn and practice in our journey ahead?