1./ The Dynamics of Power
When you have power over people, especially in a place where they have little recourse to protection from any abuse of that power by you, it’s important to moderate your use of that power, being aware that they already fear their fate.
When you have power over people, especially in a place where they have little recourse to protection from any abuse of that power by you, it’s important to moderate your use of that power, being aware that they already fear their fate.
2./“Madam I’m sorry. Please don’t be annoyed.” She was trembling. Her voice was shaking and even as she spoke, she fell to her knees.
Madam wondered what her house help had done to warrant this kind of abjection.
“Please get up. I won’t listen as long as you’re on your knees.
Madam wondered what her house help had done to warrant this kind of abjection.
“Please get up. I won’t listen as long as you’re on your knees.
3./ Get up, then I will listen to you.”
The house help remained on her knees. Madam turned away. When the house help realized that if she didn’t rise, she wouldn’t have Madam’s attention, she got up off her knees. Tearfully, she began to apologize.
The house help remained on her knees. Madam turned away. When the house help realized that if she didn’t rise, she wouldn’t have Madam’s attention, she got up off her knees. Tearfully, she began to apologize.
4./ Apparently, while washing the dinner plates, her hand slipped and she dropped the particular plate used for serving Madam. She feared Madam’s wrath.
“Did you drop the plate intentionally?” Madam asked.
“No Ma. It fell.”
“That’s okay. I hope you’ve swept it up
“Did you drop the plate intentionally?” Madam asked.
“No Ma. It fell.”
“That’s okay. I hope you’ve swept it up
5./ and there are no shards of broken glass that can hurt anyone?”
“None Ma. I’ve swept everything.” She said
“It’s okay. Please be more careful. I hope you didn’t cut yourself?”
“No Ma. I’m fine.”
“Ok. You can go.”
Househelp stood. Awaiting some abuse. Punishment.
“None Ma. I’ve swept everything.” She said
“It’s okay. Please be more careful. I hope you didn’t cut yourself?”
“No Ma. I’m fine.”
“Ok. You can go.”
Househelp stood. Awaiting some abuse. Punishment.
6./ Perhaps a threat that the cost of the plate will be deducted from her salary. Madam said nothing more.
When she realised that her worst fears wouldn’t materialise, the relieved househelp smiled her thanks, bade Madam good night and left.
When she realised that her worst fears wouldn’t materialise, the relieved househelp smiled her thanks, bade Madam good night and left.
7./ Madam wondered what previous experience(s), or tales of maltreatment from others like her house help in similar jobs had informed this degree of PTSD. Yet she knew it wasn’t uncommon for house helps to pay dearly for even the tiniest infraction.
8./ This December, many househelps will go away. Some for Christmas, some for good. Some will have given notice of their impending departure. Some will leave their Madams in the lurch. Madams will have ample time to reflect. Some may learn valuable lessons, some will not.
9./Many Madams will travel home &return with young children/relatives whom they’ve agreed to train in exchange for those people serving them. These pseudo-employments are poorly regulated &many will abuse their so-called wards.
We can each choose the kind of Madam we want to be.
We can each choose the kind of Madam we want to be.
10./ The one who wants to make a positive change in a life? Or the one whose goodness lies only outside, but at home a bully to subordinates. As we resolve to do bigger and better things next year. Let us also resolve to treat those over whom we have power better.
✌️🎄😊
✌️🎄😊
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