haiya, you ladies are SO nice! Mine also doesn’t eat at our table. She eats in the kitchen or in the yard. And I like it that way. Either we eat first or she will take her own share aside first.


when we go out, we order our own food first so that she can take care of the kids whilst we eat. When I am done, I ask her what she’d like and I order it for her. Then it’s my turn to look after the kids while she eats.

I think it is a good system. I don’t think it is being disrespectful or mean to them. This is WORK.

Just look at us! Our maids don’t cook. We have to cook for them. They only clean and they don’t clean well. They don’t take good care of our elderly and our kids. They love going out and using the phone. And on top of that, we have to pay a levy for them and suffer MOM’s red tape and the agencies high fees. What are pitiful lot we are.


How can we help ourselves?

[quote=\"peapot\"]I missed the article you've mentioned.


Here it is peapot! http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/docs/media/20100414_ST_What_are_Singapores_core_values.pdf

What do you think?

janet_lee88 - That’s right. even if they do not eat pork, they should be able to cook it. The reason they are here in singapore is because they agreed to handle pork (it is a requirement for many training schools and maid agencies). So, she CAN cook pork. She just isn’t required to eat it.

I imagine that shoes get caught in the escalator because they get wedged between steps when the steps are folding (nearing the top or bottom of the escalator). And this happens because the feet are too close to the inside of the step. Shoes like crocs are made of rubber, so it’s easier for a step to grip them and pull them in. (Gosh - do you understand what I’m saying?)


But anyway - I think parental supervision is the most important. No playing/ jumping/dancing or whatever on the escalator, always stand in the center of the step and hold hands.

My rules for my maid are - NO PHONE & NO OFF-DAY. I’m very friendly with her, but she understands that she is here to work. I give her generous angpows, let her eat and drink whatever she wants, rest when she is tired, allow her to go out to buy things when necessary, help send her mail, buy her books to read, gifts for her kids etc. I also gave her AWS and promised her a raise and bonus if she performs well.


That’s why, after I read Kishore Mabhubani’s article for Think Tank in the ST last week, I was laughing because I couldn’t believe how the issue about the Romanian hit-and-run diplomat could be a lesson for Singaporeans to treat their domestic workers better. I thought to myself, why does everything have to be some sort of propaganda? And does he manage his domestic help?

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve admired Kishore Mabhubani since the time he guest spoke at NUS where I was a young idealistic undergraduate. He is an excellent diplomat and politician. But when it comes to my domestic help - should I do more, as Mr Mabhubani suggests? Well, my question to him might be, does he conduct a personal friendship with all his staff? Do they go out together for meals? Go shopping? Sleep-over? Does he go out of his way to accomodate their whims and wants? OF COURSE NOT. And that’s my answer to him too.

In other words, if my govt does more for me, surely I will do more for my maid. Until more flexibility and protection is given to employers and until the levy is reduced or even removed - we should not expect to see much change. Why should we treat our maids like queens when the country treats us like slaves? Try it - tell anyone you’re a SAHM and they’ll give you a wry look like you wasted their resources on your education. Want a second maid? Read the rules first! Do you qualify? Changing maid for the how-many-th time? Time for re-education! NGOs for maids - hey what about for SAHMs? I mean, isn’t anyone feeling ill from the double standards?

[quote] Somehow I find skunk's dd, got the Japs / Korean look. [/quote]
I think she looks like the Mamy Poko baby!!!

[quote] Oh! Ratchadamri and Silom are quite near Sukhumvit, right? Must be nightmare in terms of traffic, right?[/quote]
They are all connected, and they are all downtown, so yes! The traffic was bad. I used to walk to work because it would take me much longer by car! lol Imagine that! It's been just over 2 years since I came back to Singapore - so we are pretty settled now. I love Singapore! (But I miss Thailand too!)

BTW Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! ^_^

Bangkok - I lived in several areas - (Sathorn, Ratchadamri, Silom).

[quote] hi,

i understand pat's schoolhouse at whitley branch is newly opened. any feedback so far on the teachers there?
thanks ! (supermom) [/quote]Supermom, my son was moved to Whitley for a few weeks last year whilst his branch was being renovated. I don't know about the teachers, but I do have an opinion about the location.

If you are driving yourself - then you should know that the drop off is rather inconvenient. The road leading into the school is a dead end. The road is narrow and there is little parking space and few waiting areas.

If you are thinking of Whitley, maybe you should also consider Buckley?

My son is at Claymore and he loves it there.