maid/servant/char scene
Discussion
After a visit to relatives in south africa this month, I was amazed. Granny has 3 full timers. One to take care of the dogs and prepare meals, one to do all the cleaning, and one to take care of the garden 
I was going to say... if only labour in the UK was so cheap, but for obvious reasons its far better that it isnt.
My heart goes out to workers in countries like Africa though, they earn so little, there is virtually no hope of them working their way onwards and upwards onto better things, and being able to provide more for their families.
I was going to say... if only labour in the UK was so cheap, but for obvious reasons its far better that it isnt.
My heart goes out to workers in countries like Africa though, they earn so little, there is virtually no hope of them working their way onwards and upwards onto better things, and being able to provide more for their families.
However, a lot of the people in domestic service get a better life than most. Good acomodation, well fed, good money, their employers invest in their family etc.
These African countries are trying to change from the old ways of a few (usually white) people having all the money, to people being on a more even keel. Domestic service is helping this. Maids get their childrens education paid for, for example, so their children can go on to better jobs.
In general, I think its a good thing at the moment (although a bit of a culture shock every time I go over there).
Its not this good for all. I do feel sorry for the servants that are treated badly. Hopefully changes will take place to stop this...
These African countries are trying to change from the old ways of a few (usually white) people having all the money, to people being on a more even keel. Domestic service is helping this. Maids get their childrens education paid for, for example, so their children can go on to better jobs.
In general, I think its a good thing at the moment (although a bit of a culture shock every time I go over there).
Its not this good for all. I do feel sorry for the servants that are treated badly. Hopefully changes will take place to stop this...
I know what you mean mate, its been 8 years since I was last there, their way of life does come as a bit of a shock! Whats upsetting is the quality of life they have compared to us, even the well paid 'servants'. I was looking at car prices and salaries of the working whites (servants get 20% of the average wage) for many working whites, owning a top of the range Merc requires you to be the equivalent of a millionarie in the UK, as prices and earnings arnt great.
Factor the domestics into the equation, there is no hope for many of them to ever own anything more expensive than a stereo, let alone a house, or a even an old beat up jalopy of a car. The servants often live in run down coloured townships, where crime is fierce and if they do buy something nice, its often stolen from them.
We're lucky to live in the UK, comparitevly.
Factor the domestics into the equation, there is no hope for many of them to ever own anything more expensive than a stereo, let alone a house, or a even an old beat up jalopy of a car. The servants often live in run down coloured townships, where crime is fierce and if they do buy something nice, its often stolen from them.
We're lucky to live in the UK, comparitevly.
I haven't been to South Africa for 14 years but when I was there we stayed with a family that had several domestic staff. They weren't treated badly but they were required to live on site away from their families and they weren't paid very well. The family themselves were incredulous when I told them that hardly anyone in the UK had domestics. They said "But who does your cleaning?" and I replied, "We do it ourselves!" 
It is really common to have servants here (Dubai), I have a Sri Lankan guy who lives in the servants quarters that every house has.
They are commononly known as a "house boys" and can live a very hit or miss life. I reckon my guy has a good life compared to many he does 2 -3 hours a day in my place and gets a room, kitchen, shower and toilet plus 60 quid or so a month. The rest of his cash comes from working part time for other expats. The cost of accomodation here is such that this is considered a good deal.
The whole country is awash with similar people looking for work and he feels really lucky to be working for a western couple and not a large Arabic family where conditions, quality of life and pay would almost certainly be way below what he gets now.
There are many horror stories of kidnapped maids who barely manage to escape from virtual slavery or do so in the worst possible way by taking their lives, the whole region has a pretty rough reputation.
When i first got here i laughed at all the expats with their servants but soon fell into step, it really does make life pleasant and my guy is supporting a whole family in SL on what he earns and genuinely appears happy, I am not going to do him any good by denying him a way to earn a living or forcing him to work 12-14 hrs a day to scrape a pittance.
They are commononly known as a "house boys" and can live a very hit or miss life. I reckon my guy has a good life compared to many he does 2 -3 hours a day in my place and gets a room, kitchen, shower and toilet plus 60 quid or so a month. The rest of his cash comes from working part time for other expats. The cost of accomodation here is such that this is considered a good deal.
The whole country is awash with similar people looking for work and he feels really lucky to be working for a western couple and not a large Arabic family where conditions, quality of life and pay would almost certainly be way below what he gets now.
There are many horror stories of kidnapped maids who barely manage to escape from virtual slavery or do so in the worst possible way by taking their lives, the whole region has a pretty rough reputation.
When i first got here i laughed at all the expats with their servants but soon fell into step, it really does make life pleasant and my guy is supporting a whole family in SL on what he earns and genuinely appears happy, I am not going to do him any good by denying him a way to earn a living or forcing him to work 12-14 hrs a day to scrape a pittance.
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