In today’s world, maids help us by taking a major load off our backs. Maids reduce the stress and agony of housework, no doubt, but what is hard is finding the right domestic help that sticks by your side. Ask a woman what makes her happier and more content – a diamond ring or an angelic maid – I bet she will choose the latter!
The most common factor that binds our nation’s women together is our maids or house help. You might be the reigning ‘Queen’ of the house, but if the maid doesn’t turn up, then you are invariably the ‘Bai’ of the house.
The pandemic gave us the exposure of doing all our housework by ourselves for months instead of depending on any outside help. We truly understood why the ‘jhadu’ doesn’t sweep underneath the sofa properly every single day. Kudos to all of you out there who are still managing the housework without maids.
Few things which I have learned over the years, and I am certain that most of you would agree with me:
• However much I tell my maid to come a bit late to my place, especially during weekends and holidays, she will COME EARLY.
• I have learned to guess her mood by the way she shuts the main door of the house.
• I have learned to decode the underlying meaning of the sentence by her tone when she says “Didi…” – more or less, she is either asking for chutti or a pay hike.
• I have learned that if we tell them to use less oil while cooking, they will still continue using more and tell us that “with less oil bhaji la chav naahi yet” (the vegetable curry won’t be tasty if cooked in less oil). And I thought spices add taste!
• I have learned that something is bothering her when she remains too silent during the whole time she is doing the chores.
• I have learned that she has ample relatives who are either getting married, or pregnant, or unwell, or just left for the heavenly abode that very morning.
• I have learned that something is amiss with the way she bangs the utensils while cleaning them.
• I have learned not to share personal talk or society members’ gossip with them as their strong network would put any detective agency to shame.
• I have learned that however much they despise fellow maids in the society, they are actually united.
• I have learned that we just have to resist our urge to say anything offensive to the maid, lest she walk out of the house leaving us in sorrow – and obviously, mess.
And yes, despite all her irritating habits, you will always treat her with dignity because you respect her for being an independent woman who works to support herself and her family.
To sum it up, treat your maid/house help right. A little bit of understanding and appreciation goes a long way in sustaining the right equation. Get a small token when you go out for a vacation. Speak kindly with them, help them whenever possible – such small gestures touch the heart even if you are having a busy day. Treat your helpers as humans, not as resources.
Image Courtesy: Dorita Rico via pinterest
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– Swati Mohandas
About the Author:
Swati Mohandas is a Philosophy graduate and a certified computer professional from Mumbai, based in Pune with her family for the last two decades. Literature has always fascinated her. She writes short stories, blogs, poems, and has ventured into freelance content writing. She has published an award-winning book of collected poems titled Myriad Whispers, available on Amazon. When she’s not writing, she enjoys listening to music, exploring the outdoors, and scanning local bookstores.
