Here is a brief introduction to the members of your Bangalore household:
Maid - Whether you choose to have a live-in, a full-time, a part-time or a top-down, a maid is actually a necessity for living in Bangalore. As I explained to my husband, the housework is actually twice as much thus making having a maid not really a luxury. Because of the dust, the ants and the general lack of automation there is plenty of work to keep a maid busy! Most homes do not yet have dishwashers and I noticed that my maid spent a good portion of her day washing dishes. Floors have to be dusted and wet mopped on an almost every day basis. Washing will have to be hung out to dry, taken in, organized for the dhobi to iron. A live-in maid is usually cheaper than a full-time maid because she is getting her room and board as well. Many people don’t feel comfortable with the kind of intimacy required from having someone living with you, however. A full-time maid will generally work 9-6 or whatever time is convenient for you. She will generally work 6 days per week. In addition to a full-time maid some people also hire a top-down who comes in for two hours a day and just does dusting, wet mopping and bathroom cleaning – freeing up the maid to do everything else. Maids often help with child care and grocery shopping as well.
Cook – Many homes employ either a part-time cook or a full-time cook. I have a two-hour per day cook who comes in and prepares one Indian meal a day (two curries, rice, chappattis, etc.) Some people just have girl come in to do “prep” work – the cleaning and the chopping. On the other end are the families that have full-time cooks versed in all types of western and Indian foods as well as baking.
Driver – Given the state of Indian roads, you will want to have a driver. Usually the deal is for 10 or 12 hours days, 6 days per week. Salary for drivers is becomming a difficult issue as the new airport has lured away many good experienced drivers to “company jobs.” Driver salaries in my neighborhood range from Rs 5500 to Rs 10,000. It is important to check the credentials of any driver you hire. Talk with previous employers, see the driver’s license and keep a copy of it. Generally, don’t give too much salary in advance – you many never see the driver again! While we have had a few great wonderful drivers during our time here, we have also been scammed and cheated a few times.
Dhobi – Most neighborhoods have someone who comes house to house to pick up the clothes for ironing. There is usually a per piece charge (Rs 2-3 per item) and most will run a monthly tab. It is a good idea for you to count the pieces and note them in a notebook. Our dhobi is illiterate so he depends on a notebook that all the customers write in and keep track of all charges.
