Why do we think some jobs are beneath our dignity ?
I read an article in the magazine Hindustan Times - Brunch today, which talks about quite a number of women opting to stay at home rather than go out to work for various reasons. It is not about what the article discusses, but a specific remark that got me to write this post. This person thinks it is cool to stay at home, but adds "Well I may stay at home, but I don't do the sweeping, cleaning and cooking. I read, go to gym/ spa, watch films ..."etc etc.
Why do people think it is "uncool" to admit or even do the household chores ? When I quit my IT job, during the exit interview I was asked with a smirk if I planned to do household chores after quitting. I said smilingly "Oh yes definitely, along with a with few other things that I have in mind".
Just because I have an engineering degree, does it mean that I can't clean my own house bathroom ? If I have a maid to help me with the cleaning of vessels and sweeping/swabbing, it is because I know it is physically very demanding and I cannot manage on a daily basis without their help. But yes, on the days they take off (my maids have so far been good enough to give me advance information about their vacation or call me if they fall sick), I do all the above mentioned work to the best of my ability. I don't panic unlike a lot of people around me. Infact it gives me an opportunity to flex my muscles a little and really appreciate the physical strain involved in these tasks. Usually when they come back after a break, I am extra nice to them and do not nit-pick much :-).
Well my point is that it does not matter if you are cooking or cleaning your bathroom or giving a presentation to your client. You have to give your best to whatever you do, in that moment. No job is big or small. It is your perception of it, that matters. Dignity of labour, was instilled in me right from my childhood by my parents and they set a fine example too.
I might get questions as to why I needed an engineering degree then, to get the household tasks accomplished now, but I can give atleast 10 reasons as to how the engineering degree helped me at some point in my life ! That's a story for another post :-)
Labels: personal, random thoughts, ranjani
#posted by [ ranjani.sathish ]
It is pretty bad in India that way...there is very little dignity of labor. Here it is a lot better I think. I really hate bathroom cleaning - really hate it - but I still do it - here every one does it at least at some point in time I think - unless they came here to work and can afford cleaners. Most people have to do it...some get out household chores by hiring help...I finally got cleaners to come once a month to help with bathroom/kitchen cleaning - I do the maintenance cleaning - but until two months back I did everything - I felt like if I got used to cleaners I would not be able to go back to doing it myself. But B kept telling it was getting to be too much on me and I should get some help with it - so just two months back I got them to come once a month. Even that makes me guilty - I feel bad for them. I ask them to wear gloves, use mild chemicals, mask etc - but they don't. I feel terrible to contribute to their bad health. But to them it is their income. I don't know what to do about it.
Posted by
noon |
2:51 AM
Lovely thought and post. I came here from Noon's blog. I too wonder the same. No doubt it is physically challening to do all the household chores everyday, but once in a while we should i think gives one the exercise that the gym fails to. What is wrong in keeping your house clean along with presentations to your manager/client?
Posted by
Sumana |
3:26 PM
I too came here from noon's blog, Ranjani and loved this post. I totally share ur sentiments. I feel a sense of pride on cleaning my house. I appreciate my mom so much more because she was such a hands on lady with all the housework inspite of being a working lady. Apart from the maid who does the sweeping-mopping and the utensils, she did a lot herself - made beautiful curtains, covers for small things ard the house, pillow shams etc apart from the everyday cooking, dusting, cleaning and spending time with me. I have very fond memories and a lot of my value system is based on that 'do your own work yourself and take pride in it'. I think I'll do a post on it myself. Loved this!
Posted by
Neera |
8:52 PM
Sumana and Neera, welcome to my blog and thanks for stopping by here and leaving your comments ! Neera, would love to read your post too.
Noon, my point is that it is definitely not wrong to get help, when we need it for whatever reasons..like in your case you have your hands full with 2 little kids or people might be working or have other tasks to concentrate on and so on .....
But what I do not like is people considering these chores as "demeaning" and preferring to shirk them. Any day it is better to depend on ourselves to the extent possible, rather than having an extensive support network just bcos it is a cool thing to do. One link in the n/w gets broken, your whole world comes crashing down for the day :-)
Posted by
ranjani.sathish |
12:06 PM