Domestic helps: The backbone of Indian life
Homemakers in India are controlled by only one entity - the kaamwali bai or the ubiquitous housemaid. India happens to be one country where manual domestic helps still run the show, unlike western countries where every chore is done through automation.
We still prefer to be dependent on the daily help who comes for an hour or so, and mops, cleans and washes with machine-like efficiency. Some lucky, or unlucky ones, as you look at it, have cooks too, who come and do the cooking. And mothers of very young children, and conversely, children of very old people, have ayahs who assist in managing the babies and the infirm.
I am sure that if these people stopped coming to our houses one fine day, our households would come to a standstill. In that way, you could say, they are the backbone of our domestic life. Our homes are spic and span, and we can go about our business with a free mind because of these people.
Every housewife's ultimate nightmare is the moment she hears those dreaded words from her maid "I am not coming for so and so days." Phut! There go her peace of mind and her good cheer in a jiffy! For the rest of the day, and on the days when she has to do the maid's work, you better stay away from stepping on her toes. Perennially in a foul mood during those days, she will give you a tongue lashing on the slightest provocation.
Yes, our homes run smoothly because these people are there to do the dirty work for us. The sight of messy dishes, soiled clothes, and dusty corners is enough to fill us with despair. But these people go about their jobs mechanically, grumbling occasionally, and ditching us routinely. Yet, can we blame them for doing the bunk? Most of them have family problems, far more pressing than ours, and if, one fine day, they decide to take a day off from their punishing work, can we blame them?
But I know I will still curse her if she doesn't turn up as expected. All our noble thoughts and great ideas go for a walk when it comes to dealing with our domestic helps.
We still prefer to be dependent on the daily help who comes for an hour or so, and mops, cleans and washes with machine-like efficiency. Some lucky, or unlucky ones, as you look at it, have cooks too, who come and do the cooking. And mothers of very young children, and conversely, children of very old people, have ayahs who assist in managing the babies and the infirm.
I am sure that if these people stopped coming to our houses one fine day, our households would come to a standstill. In that way, you could say, they are the backbone of our domestic life. Our homes are spic and span, and we can go about our business with a free mind because of these people.
Every housewife's ultimate nightmare is the moment she hears those dreaded words from her maid "I am not coming for so and so days." Phut! There go her peace of mind and her good cheer in a jiffy! For the rest of the day, and on the days when she has to do the maid's work, you better stay away from stepping on her toes. Perennially in a foul mood during those days, she will give you a tongue lashing on the slightest provocation.
Yes, our homes run smoothly because these people are there to do the dirty work for us. The sight of messy dishes, soiled clothes, and dusty corners is enough to fill us with despair. But these people go about their jobs mechanically, grumbling occasionally, and ditching us routinely. Yet, can we blame them for doing the bunk? Most of them have family problems, far more pressing than ours, and if, one fine day, they decide to take a day off from their punishing work, can we blame them?
But I know I will still curse her if she doesn't turn up as expected. All our noble thoughts and great ideas go for a walk when it comes to dealing with our domestic helps.
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