Responsibility

Back on Friday, I remembered Sharon telling me as I washed the electric grill that I really take care of my maid, and that she felt that I should actually let the maid do the cleaning instead of me doing it for her as it may end up with her climbing over my head. The phrase that struck me the most was "it's their job", not in an offensive manner, but more so about how I've come to notice a lot of people using that phrase a lot these days to describe certain things.

I spent the whole of Sunday thinking about it (partly cause I was bumming out at home) and thought about the reasons why I do it.

I came to the conclusion that some times its just upbringing, I try hard to see from a positive perspective, never once really thinking that the maid would climb over my head. I made this conclusion that if I didn't think I'm the sort to take advantage of other ppl's kindness, who am I to think that others would?

With regards to the "it's their job" mentality, I figured, yeah it is their job, but it doesn't mean we have to give them everything to do. A policeman's job is to protect the people, a teacher's job is to teach their students, the road sweeper's job is to ensure the streets are free of litter. These are all service-related jobs, and more, which we tend to take for granted. In true fact, it is the people's job to keep our streets safe, Police are just additional aid. Parents should ensure the growth of their child's education, the teachers are just there to facilitate. WE are supposed to toss litter in the right places, road sweepers are just there to pick up after those who don't follow the rules. Yet, at the end of the day, when a crime occurs, and student fails a subject, or a street alley becomes incredibly dirty, who gets blamed? The policeman, the teacher, and the road sweeper.

Simply put it, we all play a part, and some times we become too comfortable with our lives we forget that there are duties and responsibilities given to us which we overlook many a times. I clean the dishes not because I have to, but because I want to. My maid is my aid, not my replacement.

When I grow up, I want my kids to learn the qualities of cleaning a house, making the bed, doing the dishes, not from my maid, but from me.

ps. no offense to my friends I hope, I'm just terrible with on-the-spot debate so i figured I'd voice it here where I have time to think about the things I do. =)