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EWmums

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ewmoda

Do you buy all toiletries for your maid?

128

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 10:39

My new maid has asked if I can supply all her toiletries going forward. She is being quite specific in asking for particular brands (only Dove, only Ponds etc.). Is this the norm? For my family I buy what's on offer....!

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1337

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 07:49

I pay a very good salary and thats it, but if people want to use the stuff I have in the cupboard they are more than welcome to. Not that they'd find anything fancy. Just plain bog standard stuff and even then only the very basic of items, no deo or cream for eg. Thats 'buy your own' territory. It worked for my children, it was them who had the pleasure of trawling the supermarket for a certain item they just had to have for such and such. Food wise? Meals are cooked and we all eat them, faddy eaters are not catered for and can have a sandwich/soup/leftovers if they like, children/grandchildren included. But that said, if someone fancied cooking something they like they're more than welcome to but it would be planned as a meal for everyone and not allowed to get in the way of the general running of the house. I wish people would move on from this condescending 'poor woman' mentality when it comes to maids. Pay a good salary to cover everything and there should be no need for this behaviour which resembles something out of the Deep South. And what if if someone should still try to chance their luck? Its easy, just say no and make it very clear their salary is to cover everything and if they're not happy with it then its sorry, thank you for coming, its been lovely meeting you. Because thats as far as it would get with me - the interview. I just wouldn't waste my time negotiating with people and would look upon a request for 'more' as a sign of trouble ahead and not bother with them. I thank God for my lot every day. They are fab and I quite simply couldn't manage without them but there are others ways to let them know how much they are appreciated. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 16/09/2014</em>

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 22:37

Our maid uses whatever I buy and put in the cupboard: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, sanitary items, soap etc. The only special thing I buy food wise for her is those fried instant noodles that the Indonesians love. She eats whatever we eat. Also I usually buy her a phone recharge when I do my big monthly shop. She does work very hard in the house and looks after us well so I don't mind giving her extra things. She rarely spend money on herself and sends most of her salary monthly to her family. She earns her extras.

904

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 22:30

She uses from what we have, i always keep stock as we always have visitors. Toothpaste, pads, tissue rolls, hand cream, shampoo, soap, tooth brushes.... she doesn't use specific brands. I dont really cook for her, but I always cook extra incase she doesn't want to cook, we don't have issue with eating leftovers if she chooses to cook instead of eating from what we're having, but she likes cooking unlike our previous maid. She uses from the stuff available in the kitchen, she never asked for extras except for noodles (indomi?) as we dont eat those I also pay for her clothes, but she doesnt ask us to. She uses the house phone twice a month for her family calls, & I buy her a 50 phone card every month for local calls I wouldnt pay for extra clothes if she asks for new stuff, I know when she needs new stuff, she doesnt go out a lot anyway (her choice), & I wouldn't buy specific brands for her, my husband & I hate supermarket shopping, he buys whatever on offer & I buy my toiletries online. I wouldnt pay for hair dye looool, this is a bit too mucn IMO

260

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 17:11

No, it's really not standard practice to buy all your maid's personal hygiene items in addition to her salary, unless you agreed it when you hired her. I can't believe you are paying your maid a fair and agreed salary and on top of that she (not you) has decided she is entitled to an additional spending allowance and sends you out with her shopping list to get it all for her! If you have agreed time off after lunch and she uses that to nap, that's not unusual for a maid, but she should then come back and work the hours you have agreed afterwards. 5.30am to 12 is quite a stretch for anyone without a break so perhaps rethink whether those are the best working hours for her and also what other tasks you can delegate to her to make your life easier...like sorting out the lunchboxes and cooking her own food... She's definitely taking advantage of your good nature and the fact you are so tired, busy & stressed to get herself settled into working habits which suit her and give additional remuneration. Possibly not the best start from your point of view. I suggest you sit down with her and review how things are going and clarify what your expectations are and what, if anything, you are prepared to pay for in addition to her salary as stated in her contract. I doubt she'll like it, but at the end of the day you have to manage her so that it works well for both of you, not just her.

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 14:03

Lol..Re OP driving a 100km a day, I drive over 250km a day, no maid and work parttime...I must be well knackered .... <em>edited by Buddha on 15/09/2014</em>

474

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 13:00

Before I had a maid that cooked, my maid would eat whatever was leftover after I cooked the family dinner. I always made a little bit extra and we made sure to leave some for her. Surely this is what the OP means? But it does seem that the OP is being taken advantage of. Why does your maid need a nap during the day? I hate doing the shopping and would be livid if my maid gave me her shopping on top of what I already do and that is why occasionally I bring them along. They can get the household supplies at the same time and sometimes I even get a coffee while they do the shopping and only pop in to pay for the groceries when they are finished. I structure my life with my maids to ensure my life is as easy as possible. I've picked maids whose personalities I like, who have useful skills and who want to work. Doesn't sound like the OP's maid is being helpful. <em>edited by Guinness2 on 15/09/2014</em>

674

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 12:35

I was also confused about cooking her meals... Come again?? And I think I see what you're saying, it's not the price, it's that you have to look for those specific things, which can be a nuisance especially if the store doesn't happen to have it. But to add my two cents about the shampoo only, if it helps I'd get it. I had to buy the same for my daughter and I've had much less hair everywhere and I was concerned about it clogging the drains....

161

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 12:08

I haven't looked at any prices so I don't begrudge paying AED10!! I was just wondering if all maids were so brand specific? We only agreed a salary. I give her Thursday evening to Saturday morning off and she is allowed a nap in the afternoon for 2-3 hours (I don't get that!). We both wake up at 5.30am and I don't expect her to cook. I do all the lunch boxes and spend most of my day driving kids to school ( average of 100km a day) so I am pretty knackered when I get home. She cleans upstairs one day then downstairs the next. So usually by about 12pm she has nothing to do. I buy her any food she wants and I cook most of her meals. So my question about toiletries was only asking if you pay for all your maid's toiletries as she wants specific toothpaste, face cream, shower gel, hair dye, shampoo, conditioner etc. It is just another chore on my extensive list... You cook your MAID'S meals?????? Isn't she supposed to make your life easier?

1575

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 12:03

The answer is yes. We buy her the following on a monthly basis: Shampoo & Conditioner Shower Gel Toothpaste & Toothbrush x 2 Body cream Sanitary pads We also buy her a 50 aed calling card. We did put her salary up to 2500 aed recently and it was supposed to cover all this but she still adds her stuff to the shopping list and I still continue to purchase them for her.

4062

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 12:00

So my question about toiletries was only asking if you pay for all your maid's toiletries as she wants specific toothpaste, face cream, shower gel, hair dye, shampoo, conditioner etc. It is just another chore on my extensive list... We do an all inclusive salary and our maid buys all her own toiletries and food. I figure she's an adult and I'd rather she made her own decisions about what she wants to buy.

474

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:51

I understood that if she is a live in maid it was part of the standard contract that you provide her food, clothes and toilletries. Is it really such a hardship to provide her the brands she likes? That is not part of the standard contract at all. Clothes? Seriously? We are all grown-ups, no one forces a maid to take a job and they take the job if they like the conditions.

128

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:49

Was asking because this is a first for me. None of my previous maids asked.......

90

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:48

No, we certainly don't buy all her toiletries. She gets to take whichever soap and toothpaste is in the store cupboard. We didn't discuss it when we hired her and she never asked. I've told her she can take whatever shampoo happens to be there as well but for whatever reason she doesn't. As for anything else, or any specific brands, she gets her own.

IzzyOnTheSeat82823

5334

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:43

I understood that if she is a live in maid it was part of the standard contract that you provide her food, clothes and toilletries. Is it really such a hardship to provide her the brands she likes?

128

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:39

I haven't looked at any prices so I don't begrudge paying AED10!! I was just wondering if all maids were so brand specific? We only agreed a salary. I give her Thursday evening to Saturday morning off and she is allowed a nap in the afternoon for 2-3 hours (I don't get that!). We both wake up at 5.30am and I don't expect her to cook. I do all the lunch boxes and spend most of my day driving kids to school ( average of 100km a day) so I am pretty knackered when I get home. She cleans upstairs one day then downstairs the next. So usually by about 12pm she has nothing to do. I buy her any food she wants and I cook most of her meals. So my question about toiletries was only asking if you pay for all your maid's toiletries as she wants specific toothpaste, face cream, shower gel, hair dye, shampoo, conditioner etc. It is just another chore on my extensive list...

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:21

I bring my housekeepers shopping every so often and let them buy their toiletries when I do my shopping. I'm pretty ok with whatever they buy but I will definitely let them know if I think they've abused the system LOL! That's a fair system. I cant use certain toiletries as have very sensitive skin but wouldn't take the mickey

41

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:21

My new maid has asked if I can supply all her toiletries going forward. She is being quite specific in asking for particular brands (only Dove, only Ponds etc.). Is this the norm? For my family I buy what's on offer....! Mum2, what was your agreement when the maid joined your family?

474

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:20

I bring my housekeepers shopping every so often and let them buy their toiletries when I do my shopping. I'm pretty ok with whatever they buy but I will definitely let them know if I think they've abused the system LOL!

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:19

If it were expensive brands as Silvset said then definitely no but AED10 is very cheap

IzzyOnTheSeat82823

5334

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:08

Am shocked that i am reading this. I just looked on c4 online - Dove hairfall shampoo is AED 10 a bottle. Do your really begrudge spending 10 aed (£1.75 ish) on a bottle of shampoo for your maid?

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:07

Not bothered about soap because as you say, it is cheap. She wants Dove anti hair fall shampoo and conditioner.... Is it expensive? ( Innocent question)

30

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:04

I give my maid and nanny their toiletries...I try and accommodate if they have a brand preference but within limits...sale and offer items are always my first preference...

128

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 11:02

Not bothered about soap because as you say, it is cheap. She wants Dove anti hair fall shampoo and conditioner....

3376

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 10:56

I do supply my maids with toiletries but nothing is brand-specific. I don't necessarily buy them the cheapest toiletries. I just tend to buy what is on sale in bulk at the end of the aisles, which I also do for myself. I would tell her that you will buy which brand you see fit unless there is really a [b'>specific reason for a certain brand[/b'>... Especially on the soap. Soap is not an expensive item. A bar of Dove costs what, 4 dhs a month? Maybe her skin is sensitive.

5452

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 10:47

I do supply my maids with toiletries but nothing is brand-specific. I don't necessarily buy them the cheapest toiletries. I just tend to buy what is on sale in bulk at the end of the aisles, which I also do for myself. I would tell her that you will buy which brand you see fit unless there is really a specific reason for a certain brand...

1257

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 10:44

we supplied our maid with a starter kit when she joined us: 2 bath towels 2 hand towels 2 face towels 6 pack of soap (we picked Dettol... as it was on offer) 1 shampoo (H&S... again was on offer) 2 pack deo (Nivea... was on offer) 1 large pack of sanitary napkins (Always brand) and then on a monthly basis we replenish the sanitary pads, deo, shampoo and soap... and on an annual basis the towels over and above this if she wants any specific brands or face/hand creams, hair removal equipment, oils, makeup, etc she just needs to use her own money to purchase these...

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