How very true that phrase is. I well recall a friend of ours
a few years ago bemoaning the shortcomings of his current
girlfriend and stating ‘Looking back, I really don’t know what
was wrong with my ex wife - maybe I’d have been better off
sticking with her’.
So how do we put a value on intangibles like relationships
with individuals and certain types of services? I have a friend
who is always very quick to find faults in each new man friend,
and it’s quite easy to see why she’s been through three husbands
to date. If you’re the type of person who looks for perfection
in a partner then you’re likely to have a very lonely old age.
Having been married for 30 years now I think I could write a
book about all the things my husband does that irritate me, but
I’m equally sure that he could do likewise where I’m concerned.
Sometimes we just need to look at things from the other party’s
perspective and remember that none of us, not even no. 1, is
perfect.
Anyone who has employed a cleaner in their home
to help out with the chores will know how irritating it can be
when that favourite ornament is put back on the shelf in the
wrong place, or there is a particular corner that the cleaner
always misses out. Then maybe one week she has to change her day
which puts you out a bit and of course if she insists on talking
constantly while she’s working, telling you all about her
family’s problems, that can get you down a bit too.
But
then, look at the other side. She turns up every week. Wow,
that’s a real plus. The ornaments do all go back on the shelf
and don’t end up on the floor in tiny pieces, and even though
that corner gets missed out there are all the other jobs that
she does that you don’t have to do. And if you’re fed up with
hearing about the family you can always go out and leave her to
it or make some ‘phone calls while she’s there!
So next
time you’re about to nag your partner for the umpteenth time
about a minor misdemeanour, or leave a terse note for the
cleaner about the little bit she missed out last week, just ask
yourself how important it really is. Your partner may start
thinking about how simple his life was before you became a part
of it, or your cleaner could start looking around for an
employer who appreciates what she does, rather than picks up on
the things she doesn’t do.
If, having thought again, it still bugs you so much you have
to say something then go right ahead, but be prepared for the
consequences…
About the Author:
The writer has run a domestic cleaning agency (http://www.selclene.co.uk)in
the West of England for the past 12 years, providing regular
cleaners for clients. Just recently, in response to demand for
one-off spring cleans, end of tenancy cleans etc, she has set up
a new company (http://www.rainbowcleaners.co.uk)
to cater for this market.
