Maids

morefuninthephilippines · 2013-10-26T03:32:02+02:00

One thing, I must admit, is I got a little excited when my husband and I decided to look at the option of having a maid. People here don't understand that as it is the norm, but coming from Australia it was quite the novelty! I no longer have a maid, for me I found it difficult having a stranger in my home, plus I had some bad experiences. But not everyone does. Here are a few tips.. Generally the maid will have a set monthly wage (this varies about 4,000 php) but you also must cover the following: - food - basic toiltries - any health care costs Most only get one day off a month, I used to give my maid every Sunday off. That is your call. 1. Consider if you will feel comfortable having a stranger in your home. 2. Be cautious in how you hire the maid. I used a "Maid Service" at the price of 5,000 pesos. They promised full police background checks,health checks, previous employer checks and a 6 month replacement. I ended up finding out all of the documents they provided were fake. 3. Always keep a "working" relationship. Sometimes generosity is viewed as weakness. 4. Can you afford to cover their health costs? Get your own health check done on them at your local doctor before you hire them, its cheap enough. 5. Never leave them in the house alone. 6. Perhaps having a cleaner come a few times a week will suit you better? And door to door laundry service is on every second block here. For me, I found the constant need to be "switched on" and "watching" in my own home too much to bear, but that may be a personal thing. Most people have a high turnover of maids, some get fired - some go on their day off and never come back. Most Natives will roll their eyes and not be shocked at any story you might have to tell - they've heard it all before! You most likely find "the one" right away, so in the meantime just be cautious and sensible and enjoy the lack of house-work!

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mugtech ViP

Member since 08 September 2012

mugtechViP13 January 2014 10:50:09

#41

4447

Filippok wrote:
Useful post, TY.
We also tried but gave up this idea for the same reason - having a stranger in your house several hours a day can be not as easy as it seems.

No family members need the work? Or are they also strangers?

Ponani Active member

Member since 09 August 2013

PonaniActive member13 January 2014 13:30:21

#42

Sounds like some negative experiences, but you know, I know people here in Hawai'i and on the Mainland, who have had the same problems. Saints and sinners exist in every culture.

Reply to Yes, some good points. Many Filipinos here do have family as help. But in my experience, that all changes as a white foreigner. And some info on me -My husband is Pinoy, I gave birth to our daughter here - and I can speak basic Tagalog. The first maid I had was constantly skimming money off everything whenever I sent her to the shops or certain things - but I didn't find that out until after I got a new one. The new one seemed great - and I was the easiest boss ever. (prob my downfall) I treated both of them with respect always. I even told off a waitress at a restaruant for not giving my maid a menu. I don't dress them in uniforms, she could have been my friend for all that waitress knew. I was so mad she was being treated like a second class citizen. Then, when I sent that maid off for a 2 week paid holiday to see her family (and gave her my suitcase) I ended up with some crazy phone calls telling me her father was dead and she had to use the return money for the boat towards it. Fair enough I said - borrow some money to get back and I will western union it to that person once you get back here (I wasn't giving her anymore money). This followed w abusive and life threatening phone calls from a man - saying if I didn't give the maid 2,000 pesos then I could expect my family to be "taken care of the Muslim way" whatever that's meant to mean? After those two, and many other different experiences- I learnt no matter how much you think you are showing kindness and support and sharing what you have - you will never be part of this and you will always be looked at as a walking ATM. My husband is Pinoy, so Im not hating - but it is the simple truth of a culture developed from the struggles of a third world country. Just two weeks ago Construction workers next to our home saw me for the first time. That very night my home was broken into. Not everyone is like that. Some are very kind, but enjoy showing you off to their friends like a prized animal. I ache so much to embrace everyone, poor, rich, old, young, whatever - but for my own safety and well being I cant. And that's really sad.

Filippok Member

Member since 25 October 2013

FilippokMember14 January 2014 04:05:11

#43

What are you talking about?

Ponani Active member

Member since 09 August 2013

PonaniActive member14 January 2014 05:24:55

#44

That you may have "issues" with your help be it in the Philippines, England, or the US. At the moment, I am living Hawai'i and I would fire half my staff if I thought I could.

Filippok Member

Member since 25 October 2013

FilippokMember14 January 2014 05:34:40

#45

Ponani, sorry, my question was adressed to Nugtech, not to you.

mugtech ViP

Member since 08 September 2012

mugtechViP14 January 2014 08:37:26

#46

4447

Filippok wrote:
Ponani, sorry, my question was adressed to Nugtech, not to you.

I am talking about living in the Philippines, married to a Filipina, and she has plenty of unemployed family who need work, so hire them already.

Filippok Member

Member since 25 October 2013

FilippokMember14 January 2014 09:26:57

#47

Married to a Filipina is luckily not my ocasion.

mugtech ViP

Member since 08 September 2012

mugtechViP14 January 2014 10:17:09

#48

4447

Filippok wrote:
Married to a Filipina is luckily not my ocasion.

Yes, how lucky you are, a Russian in RP not married to a Filipina..

Ponani Active member

Member since 09 August 2013

PonaniActive member16 January 2014 18:53:42

#49

So, in summary. It works for some, not for others. Having a maid has benefits and costs. Because your dealing with people, you will experience people problems and people benefits. Welcome to life! I am a people person, I like having someone around. A part-time maid/driver/gardener at my age is a great benefit.

morefuninthephilippines Active member

Member since 25 October 2013

morefuninthephilippinesActive member19 January 2014 11:55:44

#50

Ponani wrote:
So, in summary. It works for some, not for others. Having a maid has benefits and costs. Because your dealing with people, you will experience people problems and people benefits. Welcome to life! I am a people person, I like having someone around. A part-time maid/driver/gardener at my age is a great benefit.

I agree there are saints and sinners in all cultures. but in my original post I did try to avoid talking about this and stating it was just not for me. If you want a maid or not, its whatever works for you.

morefuninthephilippines Active member

Member since 25 October 2013

morefuninthephilippinesActive member19 January 2014 11:58:40

#51

mugtech wrote:
Filippok wrote:
Ponani, sorry, my question was adressed to Nugtech, not to you.

I am talking about living in the Philippines, married to a Filipina, and she has plenty of unemployed family who need work, so hire them already.

I think some people are missing the point of the original post in that I was trying to keep it open to those who are new here. Everyones situation is different, and some people may have family to help and some may not. But lets all keep in mind the reason we are all writing on here in the first place, to help the newbies on what to expect

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