Helping hand !!!

Maid... An important member of most of the Indian families. Rarely would anybody have seen an employer afraid of their employees but here its just the opposite. All the houses that have maid are scared of them (out of respect !!hehe). They are utmost necessity. Mornings are chaotic if she doesn't come on time. A worry clings to you and mind starts wandering thinking what could be wrong. Is she angry because yesterday you put two glasses extra in the sink ? or Is it because you didn't compliment her on new hairstyle or the saree she was wearing? No matter what it is .. You vow that from next time you would be careful about all these. Yeah.. market demand is more yaar.. Attrition rates are high in these fields. If the maid is not taken care of then automatically there is a neighbour who will hire your maid with 20% hike.

She expects you to provide work conditions on par with MNCs. After all majority of her  work is in working couples houses. She usually discusses her login and logout at the time of joining. Every minute spent after that is considered as overtime and you better pay for it. Work environment should be clutter free and no supervision. Supervision is intrusion into their privacy. A cup of strong filter coffee should be provided as refreshment drink. If you can't make a good cup of coffee then you better tell beforehand so that she can arrange for alternatives like extra money to buy a good one from the neighbouring tea shop on her way home.

Clothes will be washed and no guarantee that dirt will go. If you are so particular about it then better to have a washing machine. Floors will be swept daily. Things under the sofa or bed or any corner in that case will be left as it is. She doesn't want you to blame her tomorrow for not finding it.  So its better where it is. Asking her to mop the floor daily will be taken as overloading her with work. She will mop it when she feels like. You telling her will only irritate her. While mopping if you find water flowing on the floor like a river, dare you open your mouth. If you do, she will QUIT!

She needs masala and can provide too. No no,  I don't mean Garammasala.. its GOSSIP. You can provide her that by fighting with your family members or arguing about important matters infront of her which would help her in keeping good relations with her second employer in the opposite appartment by passing on your family matters to them and  it will be transmitted like a wifi and the whole colony will come to know about it no time (free publicity ). In return, our lady would give info about anybody you ask for or have grudge or want to take revenge !!(She will be your PRO)

Taking leaves are her birthright. Permission for leaves are uncalled for her. All of a sudden when you need her the most for example .. relatives , distant relatives and relative's relatives crowd your house ..Madam will be off without any prior notice and you will be wishing and cursing yourself to become invisible in that situation.

It is your responsibility to give her asked working conditions and any plus or minus ... She QUITS ! You think that you can find another one ...oops Sorry.. You have misjudged her social skills. She has competition with fellow maids but has not lost friendship with them. The news that she has placed papers will pass on like fire. You will not get a single soul to work for you or the one who agrees will ask unreasonable amount which would force you to go back to your previous maid !!

Hmm Life is like that !!

PS:  Are you thinking that I am going overboard by ridiculing them.. No not all. Ask any Indian family with kids living abroad.. they will tell you how they miss their maid or ask me  !!!