Living in a third world country like the Philippines, some families that have a great deal of money hire 5 or more house helpers, drivers, gardeners, security guards, bodyguards and others to make life more comfortable for themselves. I guess typical households here hire 1 to 2 house helpers. In the West only the wealthy people have the capability of hiring helpers in the house. I know the typical household there doesn’t have any helpers or drivers. Employers here pay the workers just a fraction of what people in the West would pay. But of course people here will work for that certain amount of money because that’s the wage that everybody pays. I will not pay over the price that was intended to pay for the helpers. We will give something extra to our helpers in a different way.
Well, I just walked by a school here. I’ve seen family drivers with the nanny of the kid with them that will be waiting for the child/children of their employer. Some kids will have the nanny wait at the gate and the driver will just wait outside the gate in the car. Oftentimes other drivers will get together there outside the school for the children they are waiting to get out. While waiting most of the drivers that I’ve seen before will be talking or having snacks at the sari-sari store outside the school. Most of the schools have a covered area for the people to wait for the children to come out from the classrooms. Some drivers even sleep inside the car while waiting.
Drivers?
A few nights ago while walking and passing by the school. I knew their was a program in school because I saw the cars parked from one end of the street to the other. I just kept walking, heading to the street I’m supposed to go. On the way, I saw a van, and the side door was opened. Saw people inside and outside. They were getting a little loud and I could tell they were having fun. As I was approaching near the vehicle, I saw a few guys playing cards. For me it was fine to play cards to ease the boredom while waiting for the kids. But something just caught my eye, one of the guy poured something from looks like a Tanduay bottle (from the silhouette from the light post) on a small glass and he passes it to the other guy. I don’t know if they really are drinking liquor or beer. I am hoping not. But if they did, what would the parents think or do if the driver they entrusted with their kids were drinking? But then again it could have been the dad of the kids too that I saw. You’ll never know unless I was really asking them. But I am not going to ask them. I could be in trouble if I did. I would be told that it’s none of my business.
I remember when my nephew was with us. We let him study and hired a professional to train him. We paid good money for him to be trained. It was worth it though. Our rules for him were that he would never drink and drive. Even just a bottle of San Mig is a no no for him if he is driving. If he drinks it’s okay, but don’t try to drive then. He was driving some of our friends around town and outside Davao. Some of our friends drink. But he never drinks while driving with those friends.
I think the employer should set rules for the drivers to follow. They should not and never be allowed to drink and drive. I’ve seen people here driving under the influence. You could tell also that they are drunk. The vehicle looks like driving on the zigzag road. But then again it could be one of the parents. I know when we were in the States during time that there’s a big holiday there, we hardly go out because so many people partying. If we have stayed there we would be a member of that MADD (Mother’s against drunk drivers). Bob’s younger sister was killed by a drunk driver. It was a head on collision, and really killed her instantly. The hard part for Bob was, he saw the scene just minutes after the accident. Everything was still there. He thought it was all of his family there inside the vehicle. It was a tough situation for him to be in. I am not sure if they have that some sort of group here for people against drunk drivers. I will ask around.
If any of you guys hires a driver try to get a good and responsible driver.
Cheers!