Posted by
mcc2007
15 yrs ago
My helper told me that she couldn't do any work after ironing clothes since she couldn’t touch cold water after ironing. She said her hands were hot after ironing so no cold water should touch her hands. She also told me to ask other people about it so I would believe it was true that everyone was like that. I told her that I didn't have this problem. I normally would not bother her about this but I had something that needed to be washed tonight while she was ironing. She INSISTED that she could not touch cold water so I ended up had to do it myself. I really rather spent that time with my children. I was not very happy about her story but I knew that she was not saying that to avoid some work. She honestly believes it. Has anyone heard of this? Is it an old wives' tale from Philippines?
She also asks to have a piece of cloth lie between her and my baby while she is holding her. She told me that it is to avoid the baby to smell the smell of her breasts??? By the way, she is 59 years old.... I really don't understand. I also can't get answers for my questions from her since her English is too poor. She was not able to explain her reasons to me.
Anyone has any idea about these old wives’ tales? I am very frustrated to accommodate her requests like these after awhile.
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Yes,it is commonly thought that combining hot and cold is the cause of arthritis and other body pains.
The thing about the cloth can block the smell is also common, but of course is truly an "old wives tale"
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Thanks for the reply. These believes often don't bother me. However, when sometimes work has to be done in an unexpected time, it is inconvenient to have a helper who deeply believe these old wives' tales.
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Personally, I find superstitions like this deeply annoying. They have no basis in fact. However I would put it more delicately with your helper. ;)
A solution to the ironing issue could be to ask her to always to iron as her last job of the day.
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My husband is from PH and he told me the same thing: not to shower after ironing. I don't believe in the reasons behind though.
If my helper comes to tell me she cannot put her hands in cold water after ironing, I will ask her to schedule all the wet works such as washing dishes/cleaning before the ironing. So that includes going to the toilet and washing her hands too.
Personally I don't think it's a big issue. However if some helpers believe in this old wives' tale and we insist them to break the rule, we might have to be responsible if they develop body pains.
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To ensure a harmonious relationship, I would suggest that the OP follow the suggestions above to reorganise the helper's tasks to ensure that she can do her ironing last rather than make a big deal about it. Having said this, surely (as sorchului refers) if the helper does the ironing in the morning, she must be washing her hands after the toilet etc during the day???
SB2
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WWcC
15 yrs ago
Yes i've heard this also from my helper, although she normally does her ironing later in the evening. That's her choice so i don't mind so long as the ironing gets done. Regarding the cloth to the baby, i've not heard this but whilst i dont care about these wives tales if they start affecting other people in the household, then i would make it clear its not possible. Besides these are the things to remember for interviews!
It when I get all the 'ways i should bring up my baby' and 'how some helpers claim to know the answer to everything' that does bother me but i just ignore the comments. Each to their own but when it concerns my family, I ensure its done my way.
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Old wives tales continue...
They also firmly believe in mermaids that live in water and will kill people.
However, my parents (from a much older generation) had quite a few superstitions and they were from USA, so it goes for many cultures and not just strictly the Philippines.
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I don't mind whaht old wives tales that my helper believes as long as they don't affect my family's life and her job but sometimes it is not the case. Most of you have given good suggestions of arranging ironning as the last task of the day. I will do that for sure. I was talking to a helper about this, she said that she wears gloves if some wash has to be done after she irons. I appreciate that some helpers can be flexible. My helper belongs to the older generation. She firmly believes in some old wives tales that are really unreasonable, i.e. she also believes that the banks will steal her money so she refuses to open an bank account when I first hired her. She insists to receive cash for her salary. As WWcC said, these will become something I will pay attention to next time when I interview a new helper.
Different believes in different culture makes life interesting, however, when it brings inconvenience to your life, it is not interesting anymore.
As sorchului suggested, I would not want to take responsibilities if she claims her body pain is because of touching water after ironing.....
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I just asked my helper and she said yes, but it is if you do ALOT of ironing (90 min), then it is bad to have your hands in cold water. If the helper is just doing a couple items, no concern. She said it will cause pain if you do.
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Funny. In truth though, banks don't steal money from bank accounts. That would be counterproductive.
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cd
15 yrs ago
My first helper here, didn't believe in lifting anything heavy as it would cause her to get breast cancer.
Have never heard the ironing one....makes me wonder how I reached the grand old age of 44 with all the ironing I do.
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That arthritis will kick in any time cd. ;)
The breast cancer one is hilarious...
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you could sit her down to discuss and clarify with her facts about these misconceptions ...
otherwise, so long as it does not affect her work and duties, and she does not force these beliefs to you and your kids, then you have nothing to worry about
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Come on 0ze_kid, that's not stealing. It's fees and charges. If you don't like the fees, go to another bank.
"Do you walk under a ladder or around?"
That depends. Is there a guy working on the ladder? Could something drop on me? There's a reason for this tale.
"Think twice when a black cat walks past you?"
I do not even think about it.
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cd
15 yrs ago
In the UK black cats are considered lucky, so its good if one walks past. As to the ladder. agree if someone's up there and likely to drop paint on my head then no I wouldn't walk under it. But that doesn't get in the way of doing your work.
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Old wives tales are in every community and from every background. I went to school with a lovely middle class, Southern Italian girl who was usually really well groomed but had really greasy hair at school for a few days. When we, her friends (incidentally also 2 middle class Italians but from the north) if there was a reason, she said that her mother told her she can't wash her hair when she has her period. When we asked why...she couldn't actually give us an answer but it was what her mother told her and was adamant about it!
I consider myself to be a pretty well adjusted and normal person but I still don’t like to open an umbrella indoors! –we all have our quirks!
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Yes, we all have some old wives tales that we believe or try not to go against too often. However, when they affect our jobs, I would guess saving our jobs is more important, of course, that is under the circumstance that we know those are old wives tales not real. I will definitely make sure to respect my helper’s believes and schedule the housework around them. After all, she is almost 60 years old, she might have body pain anytime soon, I hate to be the one whom she believes cause it.
In the TV show House, one time it was talking about superstitious, I did not understand why there was a ladder involved, now I know! A Canto mid-wife in the hospital told me not to drink cold water after giving birth. Having the baby in summer, all I drink is cold water and juice. She also puts on the wide-belt for me every time she saw me on her shift. I always took it off after she left. She said these two things would keep my tummy staying big and my tummy is still big now that my baby is almost two months old. I guess she was right…. Old wives tales…
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beancurd, if it were a problem all chefs would get arthritis, numbness and "pains everywhere". They deal with hot and warm stuff all the time, and wash their hands constantly. Unless I see some more evidence than hearsay, I'm not buying it.
There is no evidence that temperature variations cause arthritis. As far as is currently known, arthritis is caused by genetics, age, weight, previous injuries, occupational hazards like repetitive strain....
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cd
15 yrs ago
Beancurd, I do all the ironing for 7 people, and cook everyday for my family here in HK, as do millions of Brits in the UK, and even more millions worldwide, we all wash our hands, shower, or wash the dishes after doing these things, if what you say is true, we would all by now be suffering arthritis. What you say has no medical or scientific basis.
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Did I say that my helper believes it firmly? .....
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Just because lots of Filipinos think it is true does not make it true. People of all nationalities have all sorts of misconceptions that have been passed down through the ages. One favorite example is that hair grows back stronger after it has been shaved. This is a total myth but people all over the world believe it is true.
If it happened to you, that could be a symptom of something entirely different.
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Superstition does not equal ignorance.
Asian society is steeped in such things. Lucky numbers, Fung Shui, zodiac signs are all thought to shape a part of our destiny or health.
The recent total eclipse reminded us that many people look differently at the effects of this event. Some believe is a bad omen, others do not.
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I think it's hard to change people's beliefs. In fact most people who has a job is prone to some kinds of health issues / occupational hazzards, such as back pains due to long hours of sitting in the office, wrists problems caused by typing, varicose veins for those sales girls who stand for a whole day.... just to name a few.
We, as employers should focus on some solutions or ways to help likeproviding rubber gloves for washing, arrange and agree a suitable time for the helper to do the ironing and not to iron for so long....
If the helper still complains, maybe she should consider changing her career.
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joga
15 yrs ago
Not all old wives tales turn out to be false. Although this is not one I subscribe to who is know if it's wrong. It could be cumulative like sunburn to sun cancer you may not realise the damage until decades later. For all I know old age arthritis may be reduced by people not exposing their veins to sudden contractions and expansions as happens when you move them from hot to cold. After all at least one scientific has study leant weight to the OWT that chickens soup cures a cold and flat coke settles an upset stomach. I would tell her that I expect her to get jobs done and to organise it in way that keeps you both happy. As for something that came up infrequently and unexpectedly I would probably do it myself out of respect for her beliefs whether I agree with them or not.
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"After all at least one scientific has study leant weight to the OWT that chickens soup cures a cold"
there are scientific studies all the time. If one says "x" and 100 say "not x" it can perhaps be concluded that chicken soup does not cure a cold. Colds are viral and as such have no cure (today).
On the other hand, of course we don't know everything. Science is based on constant questioning of facts. What is found to be "true" today may be found false, or at least incomplete tomorrow.
On the gripping hand, this does not mean one should throw science out since the findings could be false. As things stand today, I think it is safe to say that arthritis being caused by ironing then washing is not true.
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joga
15 yrs ago
Like I said a scientific test LENT WEIGHT to a theory, not that it was conclusive proof that chicken soup cures a cold. I also think it is safe to say arthritis is not being caused by ironing then washing but like you said what you believe today may be proved wrong tomorrow. Tomorrow it may be found that not specifically ironing and washing but sudden changes in basal temperature does in the long term contribute to arthritis. Basically I think as far as you can keep an open mind and respect other peoples beliefs and it will take you far.
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I have no problem respecting people's beliefs as long as it doesn't interfere with the work.
If I told people what I really think of this kind of myth and others I doubt a lot of people would want to speak to me more than once. ;)
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Dear axptguy38, I think you will get alone with my husband!
When I want to keep my job, I will not let the old wives tales get in the way. How about wearing gloves and use warm water to wash things after ironing once a while, will it still be a problem? I think that is a good way to kepp the job and not go against hot and cold problem....
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