After Peanut came and I was bordering on insanity, we hired a cleaning lady to come to our house twice a month. She does a decent job, is relatively affordable, and mostly reliable. But sometimes I wonder if there is anything between her ears.
This is the second holiday season we’ve been through together, and for the second season in a row she has given us a Christmas present. I don’t have a problem with that, except for the fact that … the woman cleans our house. I mean, she sees every inch of this house, twice a month. Do we display any Christian artifacts? Do we decorate for any Christian holidays? Does she not see the HEBREW writing on several pieces of artwork? The Judaica collection? Does she not see the Happy Hanukkah gel stickers on the sliding glass door, the menorah on the kitchen counter? Heck NO, Definitely NO, Evidently not, Of course not, and is she literate?
So what has she given us for two years in a row? Christmas tree ornaments. As she put it, she gave us the gift early so we could enjoy it.
Oh well. I guess it’s the thought that counts.
15 responses so far ↓
Lisa S. // December 6, 2007 at 10:30 am
Have you tried to delicately explain to her that you’re Jewish and don’t celebrate Christmas? Even though it’s readily apparent that you don’t?
kfan // December 6, 2007 at 11:00 am
That’s hilarious. Seriously, we celebrate Chanukah too, and I think that we’re just such a minority around here that a lot of people don’t even consider that there are other holidays this time of year.
Don // December 6, 2007 at 11:00 am
Oy. Why so tsetummelt? A bi gezunt!
Many of the Jewish faith get a tree (Hanukkah bush?) and have Santa and stockings (especially if they have small children) and all that bobbemeyseh. I’m certain this skiksah means well and may just assume you shlep out the decor and take it down during the time she is not there.
I would suggest you continue to graciously accept and thank her for the tchotchkas.
It is, after all, the Christian thing to do.
…I kibitz, I kibitz!
Cynthiai // December 6, 2007 at 11:50 am
that is amazing….truly. LOL
lbotp // December 6, 2007 at 12:02 pm
OH yeah, I forgot to mention that I told her last year that we are Jewish and don’t celebrate Christmas.
Leeanthro // December 6, 2007 at 12:03 pm
That’s so funny! Most of our friends who celebrate Hanukkah also celebrate Christmas because only one parent was originally Jewish.
Ours bought us a squeegie for our shower last year. Gee, thanks!
Our cleaning lady is also not the brightest bulb. Recently I saw her lift the dish drainer (full of clean baby bottles and sippy cups), spray the tray with Clorox Cleanup, wipe it off, and put the drainer back down. Umm, didn’t she think that the TOXIC CHEMICALS would splash on the kids’ dishes? I was totally freaked out and speechless. So now I make sure that all the clean dishes are put away before she comes.
She also secretly replaced my Seventh Generation window cleaner with Windex. She hates natural cleaning products. I’m so tempted to fill empty (horrible) bottles with natural stuff.
Mate'man // December 6, 2007 at 12:15 pm
At least it wasn’t a rack of antlers or a giant jar of pickled hobies (mushrooms) !!
Mrs. Chicken // December 6, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Sorry, can’t help but laugh at this one!
Catch Her In the Wry // December 7, 2007 at 9:24 am
She made be trying to convert you. That’s how they do it. First they infiltrate your home, and the next thing you know they’re giving you Christian propaganda. Is she Mormon?
Amy Armstrong // December 7, 2007 at 9:36 am
Perhaps you should tell her you are Jehovah’s Witness and return the favor by giving her magazines about not celebrating Christmas.
Catch Her In the Wry // December 7, 2007 at 9:59 am
One year I thought I’d be safe and send “Happy Holidays” cards to my tenants. One was returned to me saying they don’t celebrate the holidays. They were Jehovah’s Witness. You just can win any way you play it.
greymatter // December 7, 2007 at 10:50 am
You could always “regift” those ornaments, in the Seinfeld tradition. *laughs* That’s what I’d do.
Katherine // December 7, 2007 at 10:56 am
That’s too funny. I guess you had better just get a Christmas tree and go find Jesus.
Amy Armstrong // December 7, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Is Jesus lost? omg…I am dying laughing over here!!
Jenna // December 9, 2007 at 11:33 am
ha, ha!
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