Eshin Direct

Growing up in the UK, the concept of having a maid is alien to most people. At best, if you could afford it, you would have a regular cleaner. However, in Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia, the opportunity to have to employ a maid because of the income level and cost, are much more accessible to people. In Hong Kong, by and large, people treat their maids okayish (from what I understand), although it doesn’t stop them from kicking them out onto the street every week so that people can spend some “alone” time with their families.

The truth, I suspect, is that maids don’t rate too highly in the esteem of Hong Kong people. There was furore when they forced maids to take be included in the lowering of the minimum wage I believe. A lot of HK people argued that why should they be any different to any other group in society in these hard economic times? Given that maids are required to live off 3000HKD (386 USD) a month, it’s hard to justify that argument. Especially in a place where the wealth, where it is present, is flowing in abundance, and the most likely area of society where maids would be employed. Now don’t get me wrong, I agree with the idea that if the community is not doing so well, then everyone has to take their fair share of the burden. But to punish the underclass is wrong. Hong Kong people for Hong Kong people? Sure, then Hong Kong people should work as maids too. Reduce the number of people you let into the country to do this “undesirable” job.

Anyway, I came across a memo from my building management today. It’s the reason why I’m posting this topic on my website. It was complaining about the certain flats (D & E units) about litter that is being thrown out of the window. It suggested, in the usual Hong Kong patronizing way, that this harms our living environment. But what really raised an eyebrow was the remedy it suggested. It stated that “you should discipline your children and your maids not to throw litter out of the window”.

What a fucking cheek. Fine, discipline your children. God knows, children do need discipline at times, especially in the case of something like littering. But discipline your maid, who, by the way, is an adult and presumably has a basic degree of common sense? Should I treat my maid like a child? Of course, it would be inconceivable that a Hong Kong non-maid adult would possibly litter something out of the window. It must have been maids or children who littered. Must have been. Couldn’t possibly be any of the Hong Kong adults, could it? I mean, the government run programme to fine anyone 1500 HKD for littering, spitting, or letting your dog foul on the side walk must be directed to the children and maids.

Now, out of work, I can’t support having someone come into clean my flat once a week. But I’ll be sure that when I do, I’ll beat the lesson into her that she shouldn’t through crap out of my window. I know if I ever “disciplined” my family’s cleaners back home in the UK, they’d leave or they’d kick my arse. If they didn’t, my mother would oblige them. Basic fucking respect for others, who do a less savoury job than you do, or who earn less than you do is what is needed here. Respect for your fellow human being is what my mother always taught me.

If I can be bothered, I’ll write a letter of complaint to these muppets at my rent management office.