Curmudgeons Of The Week (3)

Sticking to your principles and standing your ground may give you some momentary satisfaction, but beware the sense of remorse that may overwhelm you afterwards. Take the case of Huang Ping, an elderly Chinese man living in Jinxi, a town south-west of Shanghai.

The authorities are building a two-lane highway that was intended to go through his property and to encourage him to move, offered him a compensation package worth around £180,000. However, Huang Ping dug his heels in, refused the offer, and decided to stay put.

In what can only be described as an ingenious retaliatory move, Ping’s house is now completely surrounded by an elevated expressway which is due to be opened in the Spring. He and his eleven-year-old grandson spend much of their time while the work is going on in the town centre, only returning in the evening when the workers have downed tools. However, when the road opens the noise will be constant, making it difficult for them to live in peace.

Asked if he regretted his decision, Ping said “If I could turn back time, I would agree to the demolition conditions they offered. Now it feels like I lost a big bet,”

Principles are costly things.