This is a work of pure fiction!
All characters are imaginary!!
This is serious. No Joke.
There is a 'Maid Manjula Fan Club' WhatsApp group in my wife’s
smartphone!!
And it is very active – a minimum of 5-7 conversations a day and on
some days topping the charts at 25 ++.
We are sitting in our garden one morning having a cup of chai when
we hear the familiar ‘ting’ WhatsApp message prompt.
My wife could probably guess what it could be,
and she reaches for her phone with a knowing smile.
Yes, she guessed it right! – ‘Has Maid Manjula come today??’
If I was in such a group I would have simply responded back, ‘Pl
check out the MyGate app, Bro’.
But for her that would be extremely rude, insensitive and
displaying complete lack of empathy and understanding of fellow human
sufferings!
So, a long supportive message is sent out, giving the group her emotional
support. And for the next couple of minutes both her chai and I are given the
lowest priority.
And after some intense discussions within the group (about
Manjula’s health, did she get into an accident?, and her personal challenges @ her home erc. ) they conclude
with an agreement that all of them will monitor the MyGate app and update Manjula’s
MyGate status constantly!
Maids (and cooks) are a scarce resource in Sobha Palladian, and
they have the power to decide how your day would go- with or without breakfast!
And the poor ladies are at the complete mercy of these unpredictable
& insensitive helps.
The whole day’s schedule goes totally out of control and there is
chaos and panic the entire morning.
As it is ladies here are so stressed out,
balancing their time and priority between their kids and husbands and their ever-demanding
work schedule. A ‘no-show’ maid or cook is the last straw! They just cannot
handle it!
I am sure one of the main causes for all Bangalore based ladies to
suffer from hypertension and diabetes and panic attacks is the unpredictability
of such maids and cooks.
I believe it is the Bangalore work culture and it seems to be
getting worse each year. Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai are far better in this
matter.
I remember Bangalore early days when Auto drivers were polite and helpful
and even returned your 50 paise change.
Today? – I am at their mercy!
I approach an auto driver and ask him - bhai saheb aap kahan ja
rahe ho? and if he cares to respond then I add, mai bhi saath chaloon? Aapko
ride ke extra paisey bhi de doonga!
‘ Bro, where are you heading ? May I join you? I will even pay
extra for the ride!’
And you must hear some horror stories about the different cooks
that folks here have tried out! Any takers for a ‘crisis of cooks’ essay??
Coming back to Maid Manjula,
She did not come that day.
Precious time spent on monitoring the MyGate app went waste.
And people sweated out in their kitchen and
bathrooms cleaning and tidying up in between long and intense conversations complaining
& pouring their hearts out to their friends and relatives.
I wonder why the Dads do not provide some standby support at such
times? A few hours in the kitchen and bathroom can surely tone up their abs and
biceps.
And now I am sure to get some stony looks and angry stares for
making such an atrocious suggestion!
The evening WhatsApp conversation starts with a lot of indignation
& anger!
How can she skip today when she knows I have relatives coming?
I just paid a handsome Diwali bonus, and this is how she thanks me??
She promised me she would come and so I did not clean up
yesterday’s dinner party dishes!
This is the third time this month – How can she take leave again and again??
We must start cutting from her salary every time she takes leave
without informing. That will teach her a lesson!
I am going to tell her strongly this time – come regularly or I
will fire you!
And the tempo & tempers build up a lot of heat, anger and wild
rage!
And one sober person quickly pacifies the group before a few ladies
break down with high BP. Please relax,
she advises -
When Manjula comes tomorrow lets us all give her a heavy dose. OK
??
Next day Maid Manjula walked in.
7.30AM entry time on MyGtae app.
She was Cool, expressionless, nonchalant and gave no explanations.
She did her work at each house quickly and efficiently and without
a single word.
And no one uttered a single word either.
And she checked out on MyGate app at 3.50PM.
And I assume all the folks erased out their WhatsApp messages.
Krish..
Hahaha!
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