cai's Profile

I find it very interesting that there's a raging debate about the ethics of hiring a cleaning lady. My parents are not American (they're Nigerian) and even in third world countries, the notion of hiring help is quite acceptable. In fact, I will never forget a conversation I had with a woman who had recently arrived from Nigeria. She told me of the difficulties she had encountered doing everything on her own. She had people help her with her kids, with cleaning her house, everything. Some of them were distant relatives, but others were complete strangers. She couldn't believe the burdens that American women place on themselves in the name of running a household and managing a career. And by the way, she wasn't wealthy by any means, and she still relied on such help.

All of this is to say that not only should you not feel guilty for getting the help you feel you need, but also, there needs to be some cultural unpacking of the notions we ascribe to hiring people to help out. I really can't believe the disdain I'm seeing on this board and to me, it takes being in a relative position of privilege (whether time, finances, etc.) to complain about hiring help as much as it does to even consider doing so.

Pick me!!! I don't care about the color! :)

I'm sorry; I didn't read the instructions. I don't need it. I just wanted to confirm that it's a great vacuum cleaner!! Good luck to all!