Domestics smarter than bosses

 
Seven really stupid things that employers have done

IT’S OFFICIAL. Domestic helpers are smarter than employers. Having high emotional intelligence (a typical domestic helper skill) is a much greater achievement than having a high IQ (a typical employer skill), according to a raft of sources, the latest being a New York Times column on “Tiger mom” Amy Chua last week.

What’s more, the most capable people also have a high Adversity Quotient (the ability to endure bad situations without complaining), researcher Dr Paul Stoltz discovered—another key characteristic of helpers.

“Domestics are given stupid instructions from idiots 12 to 16 hours a day for years on end, and don’t fuss,” said a psychologist who did not want to be named. “Most employers, me included, wouldn’t last 12 minutes.”

Yes, domestics don’t complain—but they DO sometimes take revenge, so be nice to them.
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At my noodle shop, everyone agreed these women were smart except one guy, who said: “If they’re so smart, how come they’re domestic helpers?”

A guy in a suit responded: “Earning cash in an expensive place to spend in a cheaper place is a smart game plan, used by OFWs [overseas foreign workers] and expat bankers.”
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Reader E. Leung, in a comment on this page on Friday, said: “My helper is much smarter than I am. For a start, she manages to send part of her wages home despite the pittance she gets paid. I am seriously thinking of asking her for lessons in keeping costs down.”
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My helper is a miracle worker. But she’s been away for several weeks, so we’ve had to look after ourselves. My family members learned that if we all got up really really early and worked our fingers to the bone until till late at night, we STILL utterly failed to prevent our home descending into filth and chaos.

“I reckon our helper is ten times smarter than I am,” I told my wife.

She shook her head. “I can’t believe that. Only ten times?”
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This amazing Filipina woman can do a super-tough Sudoku puzzle in 15 minutes. I tried one from the same book, and I am still working on it, five weeks later. I expect to finish in 2015 with the help of IBM’s Deep Blue super-computer.
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At the bus stop, I asked some domestics if they agreed that they were often smarter than their bosses.

“We all know that, sir,” said one. “But we keep it secret. It’s more polite.”

But they were happy to share their top seven “stupid employer tricks”, after I promised not to identify them:

7) “My employer asked me for the recipe for boiling rice.”

6) “My employer thinks an AM radio station is one which only has morning shows.”

5) “My employer can’t use the washing machine, though it’s only got one button.”

4) “The cable TV control is so complicated it made my employer cry.”

3) “My employer folded up the stroller without taking the baby out.”

2) “My employer uses paper plates on Sundays because she doesn’t know how to wash dishes.”

And the number one stupid employer trick?

1) “The front door has three keys which have to be used in the right order. On my day off, my employer can’t get into his own home.”
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Technorati Tags: domestic helpers,domestic staff,emotional intelligence,adversity quotient

(Illustration montage at the top shows Filipina Vanessa Hudgens as a super-woman and staff from The Office representing stupid employers)

Comments

[Lift Lurker]

In Liftuania,  no one think domestic helpers are smarter than employers. No one think they are dumber too.

Domestic helper is just a job.  It is not who they are.

Take time to look into their eyes and you will see.

At personal level, they are mothers
and daughters, sons and fathers, daughters who want to be sons and sons who want to be daughters.

At intellectual level, they are artists, writers, educators,
historians,  philosophers, students of ancient languages, social scientists, liberal arts people. In other words, people who took wrong course at university.

Anyway I think dragon mother Amy Chua give us some lessons on how to
become dragon employer of domestic helpers:

1) Every helper must learn to perfectly cook Italian or French because this is high culture.   No American or English 'cuisine' because it lead to drugs.

2) Helpers not allowed to have friends or sleep.

3) In medical checkups they must pass with highest medical fitness scores in their age group.

4) If helper accidentally speak in non-Chinese, immediately chopstick smack.

5) Every service done by helper must be perfect.  If green tea is too green or noodles too tangled, throw it back to them: "I don't deserve this."

6) If helper join any competition like Jeopardy or American Idol and
come out only 2nd place, scold
them: "Do not disrespect me like this ever again!"

7) Helper cannot choose own activity during day off . Dragon employer
must choose.

8) Helper must be number 1 in all service like cooking, laundry,
washing, mopping floor and doing windows.

But what should worry people in the West is this:  It take only one
word to change "Mothers" to "Bosses".

It is only matter of time before some consultant (raised on
self-esteem and nothing else) will write book "Why Chinese Bosses are
Superior" and her book become the next management fad.

[Paul]

I think Mrs. Chua's next book should be called, How to Use Words to Stir Up a Controversy So You Can Get on TV and Sell Your Book.

As to domestic helpers, my best friend in the states married one. She continued doing that work (freelance) in the US and was eventually making more money (with tips) than he was working for a major telecom company.

And for all you Gen X comic book geeks out there take a look at your favorite caped crusaders right hand man Alfred. A domestic helper who, given all the secrets he knows, is probably more dangerous than any villain Batman ever faced.

;-)

[rafanjr]

...bosses are really just for show...the real hero beihind a boss are the assistants, helpers, and what we can generally call 'underlings' thats behind the scenes... without these people...bosses can be seen at their worst.

[rafanjr]

...beihind was intentionally misspelled...to outdo censorship...

[Jason]

My wife was working as DH when we met and I am still in awe at the courage she had to leave behind the security of her family at such a young age and move to a foreign country and live in a strangers house. I don't think I would have had the strength to do that in my early 20's fresh out of university.

But I'm glad she did though, so that we had a chance to meet.

[Chamin]

Middle Eastern employers agree that their domestic helpers are a hardened lot. They confirm this by driving nails in to the helpers' bodies.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1306326/Saudi-couple-hammer-24-hot-nails-maid.html

[Graham]

Tenuously related, I was walking along near the British Museum with my little daughter (as opposed to the teenager she now is who wouldn’t be seen dead walking on the same street as me), when I noticed someone unusual.

I told her quietly not to look in a rude way, but we are just about to pass a man who is an African Albino.

She carefully studied the man while at the same time not appearing to look.
After a while I wondered whether she had any comments, and prepared myself for a scientific explanation.
But instead she said “people say mum looks like an albino, don’t they”.
I looked quizzically at her, before realising what had happened and correcting her with “no, people think she’s Filipino!!”

But at least when my line manager says that I am not management material I can take heart that I can get into my flat and use the washing machine.

[sheilajade]

Jason's comment had moved me. I worked as a Domestic Helper in HongKong for a little over 3 years too, just so i could come to canada in a faster way while i earn good money, even when it meant that the bosses runned most of my life and my hands got worn out and caloused.

Yes LiftLurker, domestic helpers are people too, i was a DH with an MBA who did research, marketing and business development in my country.

Now that i am in Canada, i am still working hard but with lots of flexibility in my time and with limited chores assigned. i hope to get myself a better and brighter future and maybe a good and caring husband like Jason in the nearest future..

[Zenyalagos@yahoo.com]

Watch out employers as you knew now that we really DO take revenge.. Be nice to us helpers.

[Jason]

Well Sheila I am Canadian, so you have better luck there finding a nice guy :)

[grandpa]

If I was living in Canada, I would make you an offer ....

[Jason]

Fardel, I think she said she was looking for a good, caring husband...not a sugar granddaddy! ;)

[Nury]

Lift lurker said: "It take only one
word to change "Mothers" to "Bosses"."
Delightfully crazy as ever.
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Sheila, I agree, Jason's story was very touching.

[grandpa]

she said she was looking for a good, caring husband...not a sugar granddaddy! ;)"

Is there any difference?

[ruth]

yes!we r just a domestic helper but well educated also w/a good manners not just like other terminator employer,they r educated but they dont know how to respect our feelings as a human being,.dont hire a domestic helper if you can not trust us,as you can not trust yourself as an employer!!

[sheilajade]

I will take your word for it Jason. LOL

Grandpa, thank you very much for your offer, but i will have to decline, i dont want to face the fury of our Grandma here *peace*

I was LMAO with this one from Fardel, hope there is a person with this attribute out there for me.hahaha
{she said she was looking for a good, caring husband...not a sugar granddaddy! ;)"

Is there any difference?}

[grandpa]

what is LMAO in plain human language?

[TS]

what is LMAO in plain human language?

You don't want to know. You might be tempted to try it and once you tried it, you will no longer be able to sit down comfortably.

[A lurker]

LMAO =
Laughing My A** Off.

[Jason]

Mine seems to have been deleted by typepad for using the word @$$.

As A lurker said above, but I added my take on the French translation: derriere haha au revoir.

[sheilajade]

I would have written it in full words but i was reminded of the strict censorship here so i just abbreviated it. Sorry there Grandpa.

Being in your country Jason had made my "Filipino time" much worst. Now, i am a day late, i dont get the freshest updates here anymore, before i could react, everybody had already. LOL

[Jason]

Gramps, LOL = laugh out loud ;)

Yes Sheila, my wife has told me of Filipina time and which I observe when she tells me she will be right home...and then straggles in 3 hours later.

[lea ann]

true dh are smarter thn bosses.without us dh bosses can n0t take there positi0ns us bosses.beware bosses dh revenge as they are tensi0ned

[lea ann]

true dh are smarter thn bosses.without us dh bosses can n0t take there positi0ns us bosses.beware bosses dh revenge as they are tensi0ned