Good Maid, Bad Maid: Which is Which?
With each passing day, the modern world pushes us to find new and inventive ways to scrape some more free time. With life speed getting out of hand and our schedules tightly packed, the only solution to this problem is to sacrifice some aspects in favor of others.
Much as we want it to be, house cleaning is not one of those aspects, as a neat and tidy home is directly responsible for our physical and mental well-being. However, it’s also one of those activities that gobbles our time and energy like there’s no tomorrow.
Fortunately, at least this problem has a super-simple (and effective!) solution – and it comes in the form of a knowledgeable and dedicated phClean team. Only, how do you know if your maid is “good”? That’s what we’re about to find out, so let’s dive in!
What is maid etiquette?
To be considered “good”, a maid must possess certain qualities and behave in a certain way. By definition, “Etiquette” refers to the customary code of conduct in social settings or among members of a particular group.
In this case, it defines how a maid – a cleaning professional – should behave toward you, the client, as well as your home and belongings; and, once you’ve learned what Maid Etiquette is all about, you’ll be able to distinguish between a good maid from a bad one a mile away.
How can you tell a good maid?
In a nutshell, a good maid will act respectfully and courteously, while doing the job professionally and responsibly. Of course, we won’t leave it at that, as that wouldn’t be professional, responsible, respectful, or courteous – much like an exemplary maid wouldn’t!
Communication
You can tell a good maid from a bad one right from your initial interview. A true professional will:
- Communicate concisely and directly (this includes answering your questions);
- Listen carefully to your instructions and ask for clarification (if needed);
- Address you politely and respectfully, using the appropriate title (unless specifically instructed otherwise by you);
- Offer feedback and suggestions that will help improve their quality of work and, by extension the results they deliver to you and your home.
In addition, professional maids will be open to your feedback and will accept constructive criticism with grace for the exact same reason – delivering better service.
Appearance
“First impressions matter” is not just an adage. A person’s appearance and demeanor can tell a lot about their character which, in this case, showcases how they’ll care about your home. Therefore, you want someone that:
- Maintains a clean appearance;
- Dresses appropriately for the job;
- Showcases enthusiasm and can-do attitude;
- Maintains a positive demeanor.
Professionalism
Now we’re getting to the key part and this one’s all about responsibility and integrity. Needless to say, these are a must not just for maids but for any professional:
- Arriving on schedule and prepared to perform their duty;
- Finishing the work efficiently and to the best of their ability;
- Informing you promptly if there’s an issue that prevents them from finishing tasks;
- Taking care of your belongings and property with care and respect;
- Reporting any incidents immediately (in an unlikely case they occur);
- Provide regular updates on the progress, especially if the task in question is massive (think: deep cleaning).
Confidentiality
Finally, the last key aspect concerns your privacy. For good maids, maintaining confidentiality is not only a must – it’s almost a tenet and they’ll be determined to uphold it come Hell or high water. This includes:
- Being discreet about your personal matters;
- Respect your privacy and personal space;
- Avoid entering areas you deemed off-limits (unless you explicitly allow them to);
- Avoid touching or moving your personal items (unless you instruct them to, they pose a hindrance to performing their duties, or if they present a potential risk).
And there we have it! A complete guide to a maid, not just as a professional cleaner but as a person you can freely entrust your home to. Use the info provided here to find the best housekeeper you can and enjoy your newfound free time and energy!
