Luck plays a major part for choosing the right domestic helper. From my few experiences, I preferred younger, below 25 years old and single maids. As for more matured or experienced maid, they tend to be doing their ways and not listening to instruction. And those married and with children, they tend to be dreaming as they often miss their husband or children.
I have employed few maids, and at times give me headache. No doubt, you have your house cleaned or children looked after. You are lucky if you get a good one, is just like gambling, choosing from bio-data which mostly information are not real. Judging from the photo on the bio-data is really taking your chance. But luckily most of my helpers were good except for the current one. Really give me headache and spoil my mood. You gotta have good mood in order to churn out appetizing meals. I admit that I do not have much patience.
First thing self cleanliness, I found out that she did not brush her teeth after waking up. After two times of sounding her and at one time, I asked " You did not brush your teeth again!". She answered: Yes, I did ma'am, I am already very diligent nowadays! Does that mean she has not been brushing?
At one time, she made coffee for my son and she used the spoon to taste and then put back to the mug of coffee. On that morning, she had not brush her teeth! Yucks, I got her to thrown away that mug of coffee. When she first came, bathing time was like less than 10 minutes. Do you think she did bathe?
When selecting, it really depends on what task you wish her to do. If you need the maid to help on looking after young children, you might wanna get someone married with kids. But that does not mean she knows how to look after children. Like my existing one, Rum after she gave birth, she left for Saudi and her only child was looked after by her elder sister. If the task is to look after elderly people, too young might not have patience or maturity to deal with old people.
You can look at features on their face, whether they are the type that is fierce or stubborn or obedient. But again, depends on your luck.
Most of them are forgetful, you have to check on them and remind them example, to close the cap of bottle soy sauce after using. Make sure to lock the door all times.
You are indeed blessed if they are willing to extend their contract. Nowadays, mostly they would prefer to go back to their home country once 2 years contract ended. If they extend, you will save on the trouble looking for new maid and paying maid recruitment agents about RM10k to RM13k including of 6 months advance salary, recruitment, medical check up fees etc.
The previous one before Rum, was Nia, so far the one that my children fond of and I have no problem with her. From cleaning to cooking, I can leave it to her. She loves cooking and gardening. My garden was well taken care of and she has green fingers, planting vegetables, bird eyes chili etc. However, after 2.5 years with us, I had to let her go as she wanted to get married. Her family received marriage proposal from her boyfriend when she was working with us.
Back in year 2002, maid salary was around RM380 and till now RM900. The recruitment cost including 6 months advance salary from less than RM5,000 kept on increasing, till latest almost RM13,000, however the quality of maids you get is getting worst.
My very first one back in 2002 was a Sunda from Bandung (4 years) another from Jawa (2.5 years) and a Christian from Nusa Tenggara (5 years). One from Cambodia worked for 2 years. Nia the one fro Jawa was the best. Current Rum is from Lampung, Sumatera, till now 8 months still not doing her job properly thought I must say there is improvement.
Nia will do her very best without you instructing her but Rum will answer ya but will do as the way she wishes. Anything dirty, you will have to point to her. As though she just closes her eyes as she walks.
Of course there is always pros and cons whether to live with one or without.
