A day in the life of a toilet cleaner
Sometimes I really feel sorry for myself, for the stuff I go through. I know life has its shares of ups and downs, but when you don't use logic to determine the reality of your circumstances and fail to realise that in relative terms, you don't have it that bad, it's then when you start to wonder what life is all about.
Being in Dubai, there's a great divide between the rich and poor: so much so, that a middle-class cannot easily be defined.
There are those who earn a measly Dhs. 1000 (per month) for waiting at a 5* Dubai hotel, and those who are barely surviving to make ends meet.
I walked up the escalators at a local mall after doing some grocery shopping, while a uniformed washroom attendant walked down the opposite way. We glanced at each other, and the look was both of understanding, and of aspiration: me, understanding her presumably dire situation, ending her late night shift, evidently exhausted; her, aspiring to be in a position where she can do her grocery shopping in her own time, with her own transportation, and as she wills. The look in her eyes was so saddening that it inspired me to write this post.
I don't think the lady I saw particularly enjoyed the job she does, but I could see the dedication in her eyes, walking down that escalator at the end of her evening shift at the mall, with no purse in hand, and no purchases, yet, with an aura of ambition. I only hope that one day, the drive and enthusiasm I witnessed in her stature might be rewarded with the compensation she deserves: one that could translate into a truly joyful, happy and worthwhile life for her, and those in her predicament.
25 comments:
i* - soulful post. I've been thankful for the opportunities blessed in life. It takes on more value, seeing the less fortunate. Moments and thoughts similar to this post, makes us thankful and help keep feet firmly rooted in humility - but most importantly, it adds much perspective to who we are in life and life in general.
It’s nice of you to document your random view :)
Your post reminds me of a story from Tip O’Neill’s ‘Man of the House’ where there’s a whole chapter dedicated to the Legendary Mayor of Boston ‘James Michael Curley’.
Tip wrote in his book, that one night Mayor Curley, and he used to work late (late, as in the cleaning ladies would have come in to do their job) when he saw these ladies on their knees, scrubbing the floor. Curley just stood there in awe, watching them do their job (apparently, his Mother was a cleaning lady too).
The next day, he ordered long handled floor scrubs. He didn't want these ladies to scrub the floor (like his Mother had done all her life) while on their knees.
This story has a ring of a legend to it, but it’s true too!
You take care :)
*rosh, thank you - I always value your words, esp. in this case.
*a world of symphony - well, well, well!
I guess Mr. O'Neill might be from Ireland? I was just guessing, given the "O'". I'll have to google him and the book you mention...
The difference between Tip & I is that our background is quite dissimilar - and still, I don't like to witness human suffering. Where I can, I do my bit for the welfare of the less fortunate.
'Twas a great pleasure reading your comment!
Yes, we are all dealt our lots, and blessed are we whom appreciate the fortunes bestowed on us. Much like you, I often see the weariness in the eys of so many who are trying to make their dreary lives a bit better for their coming generations. this is why I always set apart a certain sum every month, to hand out to such people who do much and go through thier lives appreciated. its not a huge amount and it may be not a big deal. But I find a little extra be it a smile or money goes a long way.
Sweet post.
ps. I just noticed my name on your blogroll.
see what I mean regarding your previous post. A small gesture and it made me smile, and made my day.
kaya, your comment, in return, made me smile ;-)
Your actions are inspiring and charity is always a good thing - makes one feel complete, and can really help another, esp. in the current economic situation. A few cents/pennies/dollars/dirhams are always appreciated, I believe. It shows in their faces. I've also tried to help the less fortunate, and I remember each incident vividly, and it brings back tears, allbeit joyful.
Both: James Michael Curley & Thomas (Tip) O'Neill were thoroughbred Irish-Americans, coincidentally from County Galway ;)
Nice post i*
Being in Dubai, there's a great divide between the rich and poor: Not just in Dubai, it's the same all over the world and the gap between haves and have-nots is widening just about everywhere.
Great post, i*maginate.
It's really important to acknowledge people from all walks of life, and a simple glance or smile from you to this lady would have been all that it needed for her to feel that she exists.
Awww isn't this sweet? You are showing your sensitive side. I think we should celebrate by screwing. :P
*a world of symphony - indeed a coincidence ;-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Galway
I do lurve all things Irish except for the Irish Village on Saint Patrick's Day because I tend to come home with soggy, muddy clothes after being splashed on by some tall lads running around in fluffy green hats! Though I wouldn't mind if Jonathan Rhys Meyers was the culprit...
*seabee, course that's true but I would say there's a much smaller middle class in the UAE than in most developed countries.
*nzm - thanks.
*dotsson, what's a sensitive guy like you doing on a post like this? lol
I've always been fascinated by how much a person can silently interpret with a glance into the eyes of another. Your random view is extremely good hon - it literally makes one stop & think.
*jayne, I've always been a compassionate kind of person, though sometimes ppl can take advantage of you! For example, my shoemaker...gave him a tip & he asked for my mobile number...
There are ppl who don't earn a lot who do a lot for ppl without asking for things or expecting anything in return: that, in my eyes, is true humility, modesty, humanity etc.
Sometimes there are real angels in people and it helps to remember them when faced with difficult situations.
Being in Dubai, there's a great divide between the rich and poor:
That's self evident, and true. Unlike in Europe, where one half of the population pays taxes through their noses to enable the other half to live a cushioned comfortable existence - without even working too much at all.
To paraphrase the great A.A.Gill who said that to be born Italian and male was the hitting the jackpot in life, I'd say: If you are poor and happen to live in Europe you have hit the jackpot in life.
The extreme gap between rich and poor you can witness here in the UAE or in India, or even the USA you simply doesn't exist in Europe, i.e. the developed world.
PS:
Not that that makes me feel sad or uncomfortable. I always maintain that the so-called poor in Dubai are still way better off here than they were at home. I don't do charity. I offer employment.
What you may have seen in the eyes of the cleaner was not aspiration but envy, and maybe tiredness.
wow ... I lived the moment!!!
The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.
"The extreme gap between rich and poor ...........
.........exist in Europe"
True. The divide between rich and the poor is crazy at Uncle Sam's home. Truly the rich, most often, becomes richer - and the poor or middle income, becomes poorer or stays stagnant, unless they win the lottery or something.
Nick - am sure, allsaid, the cleaning lady takes pride in whatever she does. Perceptions, perhaps lie in eyes of the beholder.
Rosh,
Nick - am sure, allsaid, the cleaning lady takes pride in whatever she does. Perceptions, perhaps lie in eyes of the beholder.
You said it. The perception that a cleaning lady takes pride in her work may be you / our way of exonerating ourselves of any feelings of guilt for having it better in life.
This is patronising, Rosh.
Face it - some people are worse off than us, they know it and they hate it and that's that. This is not exploitation on our part, and it doesn't logically call for charity.
The only, and right thing to do is help them help themselves, by providing education and employment opportunities - not hand out money with a bleeding heart, or blog about how proud the cleaning lady must be of having scrubbed the floor to perfection.
& for the record, nick, I never implied that the lady was proud of her job, and nor would it be my position to judge so. But I assume she isn't & agree with your points of view and understand the undertone of your comments, though they can often be interpreted as harsh, but they're often not far off the mark, however forthright they may appear.
"...some people are worse off than us, they know it and they hate it and that's that...."
Nick - we had a maid for about 28 years, who practically raised my brothers & I and looked over the home. I have a lot of respect for that woman. She fend for her family, who lived in desiland - whom she visits Christmas for 2 months......she worked the best part of her life to raise her family, whilst caring for someone else's. I know there is a lot of genuine positive emotions there. I don't think she truly despised me because I was better off. That said, I don't deny most of what you say.
*rosh, I believe a washroom attendant at a local supermall that has just recently joined the local labour market is oblivious to the lifestyle you've mentioned. As opposed to long-term housemaids, they prob share accommodation, get company-paid food, and half a day off in the week, if lucky.
Newbies prob have diff. expectations and cultural understanding than those that have been here for longer, as with your housemaid.
Though at the end of the day, the world evolves, and those without cash, like the lady in my post, would understand current culture and know how to move with the times & make more cash, if they like their job or not: they don't have much choice in the matter, either.
i*maginate + rosh,
I can see what you are saying and don't necessary disagree with nothing in particular although on the other hand it may be intepreted as harsh to not agree either, hence we may agree to disagree on one hand on certain aspects and disagree to agree on the other hand about other things without prejudice and no offence intended. So maybe you are right and may you are not right who knows. Whatever/
The answer is 42.
nice post. it's touching.
its beautiful to see drive an ambition. the people who have the least are the ones who have the most of it, and ive seen people with drive make it from almost nothing to total big shots, and yet retain the humbleness and humility. beautiful.
i*maginate:
Good to see your humane side! I believe you to be a good human being and sometimes feel sad when I read your blogs on that cake-thing. Thank God for choice because I stopped visiting there!
I think this side of you should be your "cake". Work on it and try getting closer to Allah. I know you will find true happiness there.
Nick:
I would have to agree with your reading of the situation. There is a bit of jealousy in those looks. I am getting tired of how materialistic this place is and how much of it is maybe rubbing on me.
It is just crazy how much Dubai is about flashy cars, single digit number plates and good cell phone numbers. We are drifting away from realities and starting to live in lala land.
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