But I'm a Big Girl!
Ever since I can remember, I've been somewhat obsessed with doing things on my own - picking out my own clothes, making my own PB&J sandwiches, tying my own shoes, that sort of deal. Once I went away to college, the whole independence thing really took off. I enjoyed being able to buy my own groceries and come home whenever I wanted, and although I was still receiving quite a bit of support from my parents, I still felt like a pretty self-sufficient person.
For the last two weeks, however, I have had somebody cook each meal for me, do my laundry, sweep my bedroom floor, clean my bathroom, and remake my bed after I make it each morning. I haven't been this coddled since I was a little tyke and, to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to make of it. On the one hand, it's pretty standard for middle-class families here to have a maid/cook, and I guess it's just part of the cultural transition. On the other hand, only obscenely wealthy people in the US have live-in household help, so obviously I've never encountered anything like this before.
At first, I didn't quite know what to do. Should I offer to help? Should I just stay out of her way and let her do her job? The awkwardness was nearly palpable. I dreaded lunch time, when I not only had my meal prepared for me but served to me one course at a time. Middle class girls from the United States are only accustomed to such service in restaurants, not in their own homes.
Eventually, I struck a balance. I let Leo bring my food to the table, but I take my empty dishes to the kitchen. I wash my own dishes after breakfast and dinner, even though sometimes she protests. I let her do my laundry, but I've given up on the multiple outfits each day that I normally wear so that she doesn't have as much clothing to wash. I try to keep my room tidy so she can sweep more easily, and I make sure not to spit toothpaste everywhere when I brush my teeth. It's a delicate equilibrium, but for somebody who's so used to doing everything on her own and who is so unaccustomed to having somebody else take care of her, it will just have to do.
For the last two weeks, however, I have had somebody cook each meal for me, do my laundry, sweep my bedroom floor, clean my bathroom, and remake my bed after I make it each morning. I haven't been this coddled since I was a little tyke and, to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to make of it. On the one hand, it's pretty standard for middle-class families here to have a maid/cook, and I guess it's just part of the cultural transition. On the other hand, only obscenely wealthy people in the US have live-in household help, so obviously I've never encountered anything like this before.
At first, I didn't quite know what to do. Should I offer to help? Should I just stay out of her way and let her do her job? The awkwardness was nearly palpable. I dreaded lunch time, when I not only had my meal prepared for me but served to me one course at a time. Middle class girls from the United States are only accustomed to such service in restaurants, not in their own homes.
Eventually, I struck a balance. I let Leo bring my food to the table, but I take my empty dishes to the kitchen. I wash my own dishes after breakfast and dinner, even though sometimes she protests. I let her do my laundry, but I've given up on the multiple outfits each day that I normally wear so that she doesn't have as much clothing to wash. I try to keep my room tidy so she can sweep more easily, and I make sure not to spit toothpaste everywhere when I brush my teeth. It's a delicate equilibrium, but for somebody who's so used to doing everything on her own and who is so unaccustomed to having somebody else take care of her, it will just have to do.
posted by Lauren at 6:23 PM
1 Comments:
Wow, when we were IMing I didn't realize just how much service you had! That's even more than I got in England... and I thought that was weird and uncomfortable (it really is a strange thing to have your bed made for you). Good luck finding that balance until you get that apartment of your own... and in the mean time, I guess just take this as a lesson of letting yourself be served from time to time.
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