Story of Indonesia maid Lulu

Due to the long working hours, I have no time to deal with the trifles in my life. After much thought, I decided to ask for a helper. Calling her maid doesn’t fit with me, neither does calling her a servant. Calling her a nanny does not fit with the situation and calling her an assistant is too formal, which is why I choose to call her Lulu.  

Even in Indonesia, where the homemaking industry is mature, helpers are hard to find. Helpers with children are as hard to find as clean streets in Indonesia, and good helpers are as precious and hard to find as pink diamonds in South Africa. 

So I am always surprised by the low salary of the Indonesian homemaking industry. Since it is a very popular service, why does no one raise the salary of this industry? 

(Below photo shows maid in Hong Kong street )

Lulu was introduced by a trusted colleague. There are altogether three helpers and a driver in my colleague's home. The three helpers were young girls of about nineteen. Lulu was introduced through one of the three. About half a year in advance, I asked my colleague if he could introduce me to a helper, even if he had no experience. I was struggling to find time to deliver water, buy electricity, fix the Internet, eat three meals a day, keep my house tidy, and so on.

My colleagues told me that it was the best time to find helpers after eid. Many servants would not come back or want to change their jobs after Eid. During Eid, my colleague really sent me a message telling me there was a servant message! I was coming off my surfboard in Bali and I told my colleagues I wanted it! Keep it for me! Did my colleague say today is ok? I said I wouldn't be back in Bali until next month. I asked my colleague to help me ask if she could come next month. She said that they usually don't wait. 

When I returned to Jakarta, my colleague told me that the man had found a job. My heart is a bit lost but still did not give up and asked colleagues to continue to help me pay attention. My colleague was very considerate and reliable. About two months later, he asked me at night whether it was ok if a servant wanted to come tomorrow. She would resign tonight if she could.

(Below photo is an Indonesia maid )

I said straight up, yes, tell her to come! At 10:30 the next night, Lulu showed up outside my house.

Before that, I had communicated with lulu by phone. I called her IBU Lulu. Indonesians are not used for formal sentences and too formal communication. She told me that she was only 19 years old. So I just called her Lulu.

 Lulu was supposed to meet me at my place at 7, but she didn't show up at 7:30, so I called to see what was going on. Lulu said she was going out. At 9 o 'clock she still didn't show up and received a message from her that she couldn't book a car. So I got her a ride. She finally got to the gate at about half-past ten. It was the end of the affair and with it the beginning of a new life for her.

I shook hands with lulu when I met her downstairs. She was very formal. It was already ten o 'clock in the morning, but I still took her outside for a few steps and told her where the exit and entrance were, where there was a door to go out, where to eat, and so on.

(Below photo shows when maid having a break in Hong Kong)

In the living room, I motioned for her to sit down, reminding her not to be nervous, just to chat. I asked her about her salary at her last job and then told her how much I could give her, and she quickly said, Okay. I said that I needed her to clean the house, wash the clothes, cook, and buy and fetch things. She said nervously that she could not cook, saying that she was more nervous about me, because I really needed a helper who can cook. Immediately after I expressed my concern, she said, “I will try!” 

Lulu seemed to be a smart person who was also very interested in the job. I immediately smiled and said, “no problem. You can learn slowly, and I won't complain about your cooking that much.”

At about 11 p.m., I gave Lulu the keys and my allowance and told her someone would clean up her room the next day. She can ask me if she wants to go out to dinner. She can watch TV and use the Internet. She asked me what time she should get up tomorrow. I said, “you take the day off and don't have to cook in the morning. I get up at five from Monday to Friday and at six on Saturday and Sunday, because I leave home at six or seven to go to work.” She agreed. 

(below photo shows an English style maid uniform)

The next morning I simply told her about the laundry and the place to clean and went to work. When I got home at about eight o 'clock in the evening, I saw a small bowl of cabbage soup on the table. I ate it with a frown. When I ate it, I knew she put in MSG. 

When I returned to my bedroom, I found my clothes unironed and my shoes just brushed. The kitchen sink left three dirty bowls from the day; The toilet was not emptied either. So I called Lulu over to explain how to do it, and told her to not use MSG, and she seemed to understand.

On the third day, I told Lulu that someone would come to the house to get things and ask her to help me. She said yes. I got a message from her at the office this morning asking if she could go out to meet my friends. I said yes, just come back at two o 'clock. She agreed. The guy who went to my house to get my stuff at 2 o 'clock called and said no one was home. I called Lulu and she didn't answer or return the message. I guessed that she would come back at night and tell me her phone's dead. So all I could do was tell the guy I was sorry to let him go.

 (Below photo shows the maid who got executes in Saudi, she killed her employer, someone says she has  mental health issue )

When I got home at night, Lulu kept apologizing and telling me she wouldn't do it again. And explained that it was because my phone had run out of battery. I sincerely told her that I did not blame her, but said: “you should have been back at 2 o ‘clock to not do what you promised is not right, in fact, as long as you get things done, you can go out for a while.” She hung her head in shame, and I gave her several pieces of paper that she had written. For example, she agreed to do at least two kinds of vegetables and return on time after going out.

On the morning of the fourth day, I asked Lulu to wash my bag and go out. When I got home, I found my bag lying on the ironing board. The dirty place was still black. I asked Lulu why the bag was still so dirty. And she promised to wash them again.

(Below photo is from English series  <downton Abbey >)

Lulu was always on her cell phone when she was free, occasionally going to the swimming pool in the community, watches TV when she had nothing to do at home, and liked to keep the air conditioning low all night. It was quick, but when I was not looking at her, she stopped what she was doing.

Some friends told me that they had been helpers at home for thirty years, but some left after three months. As soon as the family returned home for Eid, they were terrified that they would not come back. It is also a philosophy to get along with the servants. Most people know to tell them off gently even if they are dissatisfied, and to not frighten them, but to not indulge them without principle. Teaching them everything from how to cook to how to put their clothes. Teaching them how to cook and what they like.

The photo shows This is lulu's first meal for me, and I knew you'd be surprised.

The photo shows After I gave my opinion and asked her to make potatoes and eggplant by name, she made this:

The photo shows I complimented her on her progress, so the lunch she prepared for me this morning was this again:

The photo shows the schoolbag Lulu washed.

This Sunday I'm going to teach Lulu how to cook Chinese food. I hope we can get along well with her.

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