One of the things I like about this country is the many public holidays. You get to rest and also save some money (however little it may seem) on things like transport and lunch. You all know the President was sworn in on Monday and Friday was Eid el Fitr so that’s two days where many of us didn’t have to sweat it out at work.

That said there’s a price to these public holidays. Like the fact that my Chinese employers only pay for days worked, so come end of month, all these public holidays’ worth will be deducted.

There’s also staying home all that time. I know I just said I love relaxing at home and not having to worry about balancing glasses and plates or mixing up orders. But that’s only when you don’t have to spend two whole days with Jane. She’s not such a bad person but sometimes, she just gets cranky or decides to give everyone the silent treatment. This leaves one wishing to get away.

This week, she was particularly not on good terms with the maid who she says is careless, doesn’t respect her and wastes food, sugar, soap and other such items.

I don’t want to take sides, especially not at this point so often; I just listen to both parties and leave them to battle it out. The maid told me she’s unhappy because she still hasn’t been paid. She says unlike what people think she also has plans and would like to buy "nice” clothes for her son.

I totally understand her. Jane on the other hand thinks because the maid and her son get free bode and food (for the times it is available), she doesn’t need money that urgently.

I believe the maid should get her money at the end of each month because that is the arrangement she and Jane agreed on when she was taking on the job. But I’m keeping this opinion to myself. The tension between these two is mounting and the maid is becoming more aggressive, daring and annoying.

It’s almost as if she’s saying, "I’m the one owed so the least you can do is treat me well” and Jane is not happy with that. She (maid) now drags her feet and takes hours to do the simplest of chores.

On Friday, we had lunch at 3p.m., not because there were many dishes to prepare but because the maid took her sweet time cooking rice and fish which usually take under an hour to make. God help you if you send her to buy anything at the shops.

One time I was actually worried something had happened to her, only to find her chatting with the shop attendant like she had nothing else to do. These days if I want something, I go myself.

Jane also accuses her of inflating prices of items or buying fewer quantities than what she’s told to buy. Say you tell her to buy 4kgs of potatoes, she will buy 3kgs and there’s no way you are going to tell the difference since you don’t have a scale.

Jane also has issues with the fact that many times, the maid will do chores for the neighbours, wash their clothes or fetch water for them before doing house work in our home. You see, these people pay her instantly, at times even before she does the assigned tasks.

I don’t blame her because I totally understand her predicament. Here you are working for this person who just won’t keep their end of the bargain. Do you sit around and wait for them to finally feel charitable and pay up or find ways to make ends meet? The latter seems the better option.

To be continued…
 
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