- Joined
- Jul 13, 2016
- Messages
- 2,991
2016 has been difficult for our household. We've successively "lost" the guy who was clearing our lands, gardening and doing pretty much any heavy work involved in the house and the two grannies who were doing some housekeeping and cooking and, not the least, drinking beers with me while informing me about all gossips of the 'hood.
We have been unable to replace them so far and, when a friend of us told us that she knew a couple looking for work we were quite happy. We met with the couple and everything seemed OK. We agreed on a pretty attractive salary by manadonese standard (UMP for each + 10% bonus + food, lodging, amenities...etc) and far above the market. Therefore we were confident that they would be motivated and that we should be spared some surprise.
During the interview the couple mentioned that they had one kid, a toddler. I told them that he was welcome to stayed with us and obviously to be fed by us. Further on in the discussion, and after that we accepted the kid, they informed us that they also had a daughter they were still taking care of, aged 17. Since we already said OK for the toddler and considering that the older daughter could help caring about the toddler and free some time for the mother, we said OK. We even went up to decide to renovate a small house on our land for the whole family, considering the fact that the initial staff room we planned to offer would not be suitable for a couple + a toddler + a 17 years old daughter to stay altogether.
In a discussion with the friend who initially recommended us the couple something surprised me. She told us that the couple was "lucky to have found someone giving them work while being ready to accept the whole family". I first thought that she was exaggerating a bit implying that a whole family of 4 would be such a burden.
They started to work with us as live out, meaning without the kids, pending the renovation of the house. Yesterday, our tukang finished the paint and the few last things which needed to be fixed, meaning that the house was ready to welcome them. This is when Tante X came to us telling us she was a bit confused. She explained us that her older son (in fact they have four kids) who is married and have a kid was the one looking for the toddler when she was working and that it was convenient since he had a son of the same age as her son. She therefore indirectly suggested that the older son, the wife and the kid move in with them in the house newly renovated!
I have to admit that I was amused by the request. I have not answered yet, albeit I have no intention to accept. However I gave a phone call to our friend to ask her to clarify her initial meaning of whole family. She learnt me that, beside the older son, wife and kid, there is also the father and mother + 1 in-law.
Morale of the story: One of the numerous beauty of living in Indonesia is that even if you have been there for years, you can always be surprised by a situation.
We have been unable to replace them so far and, when a friend of us told us that she knew a couple looking for work we were quite happy. We met with the couple and everything seemed OK. We agreed on a pretty attractive salary by manadonese standard (UMP for each + 10% bonus + food, lodging, amenities...etc) and far above the market. Therefore we were confident that they would be motivated and that we should be spared some surprise.
During the interview the couple mentioned that they had one kid, a toddler. I told them that he was welcome to stayed with us and obviously to be fed by us. Further on in the discussion, and after that we accepted the kid, they informed us that they also had a daughter they were still taking care of, aged 17. Since we already said OK for the toddler and considering that the older daughter could help caring about the toddler and free some time for the mother, we said OK. We even went up to decide to renovate a small house on our land for the whole family, considering the fact that the initial staff room we planned to offer would not be suitable for a couple + a toddler + a 17 years old daughter to stay altogether.
In a discussion with the friend who initially recommended us the couple something surprised me. She told us that the couple was "lucky to have found someone giving them work while being ready to accept the whole family". I first thought that she was exaggerating a bit implying that a whole family of 4 would be such a burden.
They started to work with us as live out, meaning without the kids, pending the renovation of the house. Yesterday, our tukang finished the paint and the few last things which needed to be fixed, meaning that the house was ready to welcome them. This is when Tante X came to us telling us she was a bit confused. She explained us that her older son (in fact they have four kids) who is married and have a kid was the one looking for the toddler when she was working and that it was convenient since he had a son of the same age as her son. She therefore indirectly suggested that the older son, the wife and the kid move in with them in the house newly renovated!
I have to admit that I was amused by the request. I have not answered yet, albeit I have no intention to accept. However I gave a phone call to our friend to ask her to clarify her initial meaning of whole family. She learnt me that, beside the older son, wife and kid, there is also the father and mother + 1 in-law.
Morale of the story: One of the numerous beauty of living in Indonesia is that even if you have been there for years, you can always be surprised by a situation.
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