Coming from a country and city that's notorious for its unreliable, expensive house helpers, the DIY approach in Germany was refreshing when we moved here.
In addition, we had machines that did the work of humans. Machines that we could operate at our beck and call. Machines that we could even program to operate while we slept/ went shopping, only to find clean stuff when we wanted them, magically.
For years, our visitors from India envied us for the comfort these machines provided us, for the hassles we didn't need to bear while dealing with another human being's whims and fancies. They quickly blamed the unreliable electricity in the country to console themselves when they got back to the 'drudgery' of life...
We loved our machines. We planned when they should do the job so we did our bit for the planet. We waited patiently to offload them after their tiring efforts. We pampered them, so we could have a long life together with limited troubles.
The machines gave us the spontaneous life we desired.
However, machines have their limitations too. As our own incapacities started to increase, this year, we finally decided to fill in the gaps between our limitations and those of our machines'.
We finally hired a 'putzfrau', aka a household help since June 2016.
We overlooked the very sexist job title to seek help from the wonderful P. Yes we've completed the full circle - to turn to a human being for help. She knows exactly what products to use, when and for what, for maximum effect. She finds the nooks and corners that need cleaning that only a human eye can spot. For now, she spends 2 hours with us every week. She has the knack to 'delight' her customers.
But most of all, she reassures the fact that machines can peacefully co-exist with humans.
All she demands in return is her well deserved pay and respect for the job she does.
I wish, household help in India could someday demand the same.
In addition, we had machines that did the work of humans. Machines that we could operate at our beck and call. Machines that we could even program to operate while we slept/ went shopping, only to find clean stuff when we wanted them, magically.
For years, our visitors from India envied us for the comfort these machines provided us, for the hassles we didn't need to bear while dealing with another human being's whims and fancies. They quickly blamed the unreliable electricity in the country to console themselves when they got back to the 'drudgery' of life...
We loved our machines. We planned when they should do the job so we did our bit for the planet. We waited patiently to offload them after their tiring efforts. We pampered them, so we could have a long life together with limited troubles.
The machines gave us the spontaneous life we desired.
However, machines have their limitations too. As our own incapacities started to increase, this year, we finally decided to fill in the gaps between our limitations and those of our machines'.
We finally hired a 'putzfrau', aka a household help since June 2016.
We overlooked the very sexist job title to seek help from the wonderful P. Yes we've completed the full circle - to turn to a human being for help. She knows exactly what products to use, when and for what, for maximum effect. She finds the nooks and corners that need cleaning that only a human eye can spot. For now, she spends 2 hours with us every week. She has the knack to 'delight' her customers.
But most of all, she reassures the fact that machines can peacefully co-exist with humans.
All she demands in return is her well deserved pay and respect for the job she does.
I wish, household help in India could someday demand the same.
