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How to choose a live-in domestic helper/maid?

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screns
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How to choose a live-in domestic helper/maid?

Post by screns » Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:52 pm

My family of four will shortly be moving to Singapore and I am extremely confused about the best way to find a live-in domestic helper. I know there are agencies but are any specific ones recommended and should I only use a maid with prior experience in Singapore? Also, at the risk of making a sweeping generalisation, are Filipinas better than Indonesians (or vice versa, or does it make no difference)? And is this something I can do on my own or should I go through some sort of broker/facilitator service? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:12 pm

Unless you speak reasonable Bahasa Indonesian, you would be better off with a Filipina as there is a good chance that she will speak some English.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Zeenit
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Post by Zeenit » Fri, 06 Jul 2012 9:35 am

Disagree!! Most of my friends have Indonesian helpers and they ALL speak english!

Use an agency and the only reason is that you can have a choice of a few helpers. Pick someone you think you can live with. Because that is what you going to be doing- Living with them 24/7.

Good Luck.
Zeenit

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:05 am

They must be getting much better quality maids than they did 10 years ago. Looking at the complaints in the press about the English testing exams conducted here and the number of failures that caused the Indo gahmen to step in, there seems to be a disconnect somewhere. Maybe your friends have been lucky and gotten maids with previous experience in English speaking countries/households?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 37/1/.html
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

ulee
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Post by ulee » Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:10 am

Hi,

It really depends a lot on your luck. Agree with Zenit, follow your gut feel. Judge their character and attitude rather than nationalities.
I just posted about my ex-maid here: No longer there as it was deleted!


Please do not advertise in the forum. Apparently, you couldn't really notice if your maid could speak decent English or not as you don't seem to be able to understand the simple banner above where you post your message "Advertisements will be deleted!!" Use the classified section of this site. See the tab at the top of the page. - moderator

fatmouse76
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Post by fatmouse76 » Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:15 pm

In my opinion, Indons are much better in terms of work attitude than Filipinas. You need to speak slowly with Indons as they may not understand you if you speak to fast.

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