Why Do Wives Clean For The Cleaning Lady?

Today we will be visited by our two cleaning ladies, maids, or housekeepers, whichever is politically correct. I have difficulty staying up to date on proper terms that do not offend. I have almost mastered Asian instead of Oriental after years of being chastised for my insensitivity.

Anyhow, back to the maids. Contrary to common perception, they have the best job in the world-at least at our house. First, the kids have been long gone so no one goes up to the top floor, but we still clean it. We vacuum, dust, and scour basically nothing. The same is true for our lower level as it is rarely used and therefore not in need of heavy cleaning. But we do clean it anyhow. The main floor is where we sleep and live and it does need some help. That's where my wife, and others I'm told, set the process in motion.

Before the cleaners arrive everything has to be picked up and put away. That includes anything upon a kitchen or bathroom counter, desktop, or coffee table. Wastebaskets are even emptied and bathmats put into the washing machine. The house looks immaculate for the people who have come to clean. I've asked my golf buddies if this happens at their homes and to varrying degrees it does. I don't get it. It would be similiar to me applying some shoe polish to my golf shoes before I leave them for the shine guy because I don't want him to think that I hit the ball into places other than the manicured fairway.

The only good news in this weekly soap opera is that the price we are charged never goes up. They know a good deal when they see it and it evidently makes my wife feel good.