Attention (!) Below is my SUBJECTIVE (=manly) view on a question “Feng Shui is a female occupation?” I do not assume, by any means, to be the ultimate authority. I sincerely welcome your comments and feedback.
Whatever we say about “equal rights,” in the western society (including Post-Soviet) there is male chauvinism.
Men earn more for the same work. Men’s professions are “serious.” And women’s professions are seen as a distraction, play, or assistance.
Ducks for the ladies
Feng Shui on Russian-speaking states appeared in the late 90s in the form of books by Lilian Ta and Natalya Pravdina. These books are thoroughly impregnated by ducks-tangerines, fans, coins, red purses, hoteis, affirmations, sectors of love and wealth, and other things designed to attract women. And from that, with the same ease, repels men.
Therefore, women came to our courses, training, seminars, consultations. And the Feng Shui in Russia, Ukraine, and surrounding areas, became a female occupation. Thanks to chauvinism, this female dominated profession = a frivolous occupation. Overindulgence for the ladies missing. And not only in the perception of men; because chauvinism, after all, lives in the mind. That includes the female mind.
Statistics
In Russia, there are about 90% of women in Feng Shui courses.
In Asia, in contrast, 80-90% of the audience is men.
And 99% of Feng Shui Masters are men.
For Asians, Feng Shui is serious. For them, Feng Shui is prestigious.
For example, Yin Feng Shui was traditionally forbidden for women. It was argued that the force of “Yin” days every month left the woman especially vulnerable to powers of darkness. Perhaps it was simply owing to the same chauvinism in an Asian context.
It is interesting that in spite of the fact that 90% of my pupils are women, the most elite layer of clients are men. They pay big money. Our consultations bring them big money.
But they don’t want to study Feng Shui. Why should they? It works, and thanks for that. The standard reply of such clients: “Everyone has to do their own business”.
Two styles
In reality, Feng Shui is an occupation for both women and men. The difference is only in style.
The female style of work in this field is more focused on communication than results. They use what is thought of traditionally as a female strength: to penetrate into the essence of the problem, to listen attentively, empathize. They work as an “ear”. It is possible to be “mommy” for the client; sometimes practitioner and client become girlfriends. They discuss not only Feng Shui but also shoes or the next potential boyfriend. It is more than intuition and usually consists of more consultations of a Ba Zi (though not always).
Family and relationships are the primary concerns; work is in second place.
It is difficult to enter the world of big business and to be completely “oneself.” Men see in you a woman first, and only then — the expert.
Male style is more applied and focused on the result. Is there any expectation that I will cry with the client? Most often I am there to correct a situation. Plus, why do we have to be on friendly terms? Let’s draw a definite line between personal and professional.
And clients, depending on inquiry and psycho type, are attracted either to the male consultant or the female consultant.
If you are a pro, all the rest are only details
Those who are interested more in the process than in the result will seek out the first type. They will only be comfortable with an expert who emphasizes communication.
Those who don’t have no interest in hanging out with sisters and have no need for a shoulder to cry on will seek out the second type.
Certainly, this division is very conditional, and consultants are all individuals. There are womanly men and courageous women. And, despite different styles of consultation (process), the true professional receives a good result from his work.
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