All About Full-Time Maids
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I just realised something about myanmar maids. Those with degrees are the better ones but they will also demand for off day and emails and will try to be funny.
Those without qualifications sucks!! This is a general rule of course. I m speaking from past experience.
I m not too sure about Indonesian maids. I think most of them don’t have qualifications?? I think maids with degree in Indonesia will probably be rich and won’t need to work as maids. -
peapot dear, I've been lurking but not posting on this thread for the past week.
I'm so sorry to hear about your new helper. Sounds fishy though - this bit about being surprised that you're home earlier (check on her mah! :roll: ) and/or leaving for work late.
Maybe she's not reconciled yet to the fact that she's here not on holiday but to work. Also, she probably thinks that she doesn't need supervision.
If she's been counselled by the Agent and you've talked to her about it, then send her away when things don't work out. Selfish as it may sound, we need to learn to cut our losses
(i.e., don't invest so much time etc since she won't be there by monthend)...now with CNY coming up, let's just \"loon\" and do the basics. I've started making a list and getting her to tick off what's been done! -
hi peapot,
I only have had experience with 2 Indo maids. So far so good. They are receptive to feedback. Maid agency told me that it's very important when I give feedback/instructions, they don't show black face....this shows they willing to listen.
Thing with Indo maids are that they typically cannot take pork, so your family may have adjustment issues - my parents were so stressed about ensuring there's always some dishes she can eat. And also, I understand there are those from CERTAIN (cannot remember) parts of Indo where they are fond of practicing black magic.
So far, mine are from Java island (near to Surabaya) - and they typically have like high school cert. No funny tricks (I cannot see, so I like to think don't have).
When I first pick the 2nd one up, I gave her a pep talk - stating my expectations (cannot be rude to my mother, duties include xyz, sleep/rest time, must keep clean, no phone calls, no friends in house, etc). On the job, things I don't like, I'll tell her gently first. Repeated reminders will become more and more strict/fierce with reminders that she was aware. If still cannot make it, I'll get her to write down in a book what was done wrong and what should be correct way.
On and off, I'll remind her of her aim in SG (earn money to go back have good life)...keep her motivated. -
peapot:
Oh Oh...peapot, I think it's quite normal for them (at least at the start) to query what time we're leaving and when we're coming back. I'll set the maid's expectation by telling her to the effect that it's none of her business, and make it a point NEVER to her know. From time to time spring surprises....it's good that you're doing that....at least she know she cannot play punk.Yes carebear, this morning I purposely go to office late. So I m still at home around 8am. The maid ask me how come I m not leaving the house. I told her its none of her business what time I leave the house.
She had a shocked look when I m still sitting down here typing away on my laptop.
But don't read too much into it, she may not be planning anything lah. It's just an expectation thing -
lovekidsverymuch:
No lah, that was in response to her last remark if the maid was planning anything in her absence.
hmm ya u r right hquek sometimes they wanna be sure generally wat time u go or come so that they can just plan their work maybe no planning etc she just came only but then the prev incident where peapot came early and then she didnt get up just read was rather rude for newcomer!!
Just want to reassure her that it's just a human thing to do, and for me, my method is to set her expectation....don't bank on me having to account to you my whereabouts...maid is not my parent, I'm not obliged to tell you my goings/comings.
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Hi hquek and lovekidsverymuch and Andaiz, just now I went to the maid agency to ask for replacement. Found 1 suitable indonesian maid. 30 years old ex-S’pore 18 years ago and ex-Saudia arabia 3 years ago. Asking for $360 salary. She’s from Indramayu (west Java). Agency told me if change I need to top up because Indonesian maids these days have high loan. I also need to pay levy for 21 days for the current maid to be stationed at their office to be transferred out to new employer. After these 21 days if maid still not takers, Agency will bear the levy.
In total, the new replacement will cost me another $850 more. New maid salary also higher. Current one I pay $340 without off. This new one $360 without off. My mom ask me 2 questions. First, language will be a huge problem. Second, what are you gonna do if she don’t turn out better than this one?? Aiyo!! I tell you!! I feel so sad!! -
hi peapot, I think it’s a risk that we all have to bear. How to tell if this will turn out gem or stone? I think key is to moderate expectation lah.
Have you talked to your latest arrival on the things you feel is not right? Is she even aware that she can get booted out?
When my maids just arrived, they didn’t know they had to greet us when we are back. It was something that we tell them to do. Even now when I go to my mum’s house, the maid also won’t run out to greet me or check who’s back - she’ll do that only if she sees me. Sometimes also a bit hard to hear if she is cleaning toilet or room.
Key thing for me is, if I give her feedback, will she listen? If she will, I’ll keep her. If she choose to ignore me, treat me like dead, or show black face, then it’s time to say good bye.
BTW, for this new one, I’ll be a bit wary…ex-SIN is never a good option for me - they may be too smart for me. Mine always ex-Jakarta (some city life). My friend’s maids are/were ex-Malaysia and that worked fine too. -
I had changed 5 times in a year. 1st to 4th were all Filipino. 5th is from Indo.
To me, Filipino are smarter, when you scold them they will give you black face, stubborn and even can talk back to you.
As for Indo, they are more humble. But have temper, they also will give you black face and sometime talk back to you.
Employ a maid is all by luck. Very hard to have a good maid. Think my luck is only so so. F.Y.I, all the maids I choose is not ex-Sin, ONLY the 3rd one ex-hkk. -
very true, it’s really a matter of luck.
Luckily, the ones I’ve employed don’t give me black face (ok, once in a while they do). If they do that in the beginning, I don’t think they are receptive to instructions…how to keep? -
shine_fs,
Did you pay alot to change 5 maids?
Hquek, ya really depends on luck! Guess I really run out of luck.
After thinking through, think I will wait for after CNY to reselect. But right now, I believe its part of my maid’s character that she’s simply "bo chap". She also can’t handle kids and don’t know how to play with my gal. Even after agency told her the consequences of returning her, she has improved slightly. I think its very difficult for me to keep her. I will just to take the risk to find another one. This maid also knows that I have a CCTV at home. She also "bo chap" so I firmly believe its her character. Since its her character, I don’t think she can change much. Not suitable to work in Singapore. Wasting everyone’s resources and time and money.
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