(Published on May 9, 2024)
Hong Kong is renowned for its fast-paced, high-pressure lifestyle. The city’s dense population and fiercely competitive environment, both in the workplace and educational institutions, often lead to significant stress and anxiety. This atmosphere can stifle outward expressions of happiness or contentment. Nevertheless, our domestic workers, despite enduring low wages and long hours, exemplify an alternative way of life amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. They remind us of the resilience and positivity that can flourish even under challenging circumstances.
Why Do Domestic Helpers Always Carry A Big Smile?
Domestic helpers often carry a big smile for several reasons, and it’s important to recognise the complexity behind this behaviour:
- Cultural Expression: In many cultures, including Filipino and Indonesian cultures from which many domestic helpers hail, smiling is a common social expression used to convey friendliness and approachability. It can be a way to maintain a positive demeanour, even in challenging situations.
- Professional Attitude: Domestic helpers understand the importance of keeping a professional appearance and demeanour in their work environment. Smiling can be part of maintaining a positive, service-oriented attitude, which is often expected in customer-facing and personal service roles.
- Resilience and Coping: Smiling can also be a coping mechanism. Facing long hours, separation from family, and sometimes challenging working conditions, maintaining a cheerful exterior can help manage emotional strain and present a strong front.
- Community and Support: Many domestic helpers develop close-knit communities with their peers. The camaraderie and support they find in these groups can bring genuine happiness and smiles.
- Masking Discomfort: Conversely, smiling doesn’t always mean that someone is genuinely happy. It can sometimes mask feelings of sadness, stress, or discomfort. In professional settings, especially in service roles, individuals might smile to conform to social and employment expectations, even if they are facing personal hardships.
The Power Of Smiling
Smiling regularly can have numerous benefits for both mental and physical health, as well as social interactions. Here’s a breakdown of some key advantages:
- Mood Enhancement: Smiling releases endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin. These brain chemicals are associated with feelings of happiness and stress relief. Even forcing a smile when you’re not feeling particularly happy can trick your brain into feeling better.
- Stress Reduction: Smiling can help reduce stress levels, as it activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress. It’s a natural relaxant that can help you manage stress more effectively, even during challenging situations.
- Improved Relationships: Smiling is contagious and can make you appear more approachable, trustworthy, and friendly. This can improve your interactions and relationships with others, fostering a positive environment in both personal and professional settings.
- Increased Longevity: Studies have suggested that people who smile often may live longer, on average, than those who don’t smile as much. This could be due to the combined effects of reduced stress, improved cardiovascular health, and an overall healthier lifestyle.
- Better Immune Function: Laughter, which often starts with a smile, can help boost your immune system by increasing the level of immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. This improvement in your immune system can help you resist diseases.
- Pain Relief: Smiling and laughter can increase pain thresholds, creating a higher tolerance for pain. This occurs through the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
- Lower Blood Pressure: Smiling and laughing more often can lead to a noticeable reduction in blood pressure. This is particularly beneficial for cardiovascular health.
- Professional Success: Smiling can influence professional interactions positively. It can make you seem more confident, approachable, and capable, which may help in career advancement and workplace dynamics.
- Attractiveness: Smiling can make individuals appear more attractive to others. This is because people generally find happy, smiling faces more appealing than sullen or neutral ones.
- Enhanced Cognitive Function: Positive emotions from smiling can lead to an increased level of creativity and a better ability to think more comprehensively and solve problems.
How To Cheer Up Your Domestic Helper?
Cheering up your domestic helper involves showing appreciation, respect, and understanding. Here are some thoughtful ways to lift their spirits and make them feel valued:
- Express Appreciation: A simple thank you can go a long way. Acknowledge their hard work and the difference they make in your household. Specific compliments about their work can also boost their morale.
- Provide Adequate Rest: Ensure they have enough rest and time off to recharge. Respecting their need for personal time and ensuring they do not overwork can greatly improve their well-being.
- Offer a Small Gift or Bonus: Small gestures like a gift or a bonus for their hard work can be a great way to cheer them up. This could be something as simple as a prepaid phone card to call their family or a gift certificate to a restaurant.
- Encourage Connections: Support them in maintaining a healthy social life outside of work. This could involve allowing flexibility on their days off to spend time with friends and participate in community activities.
- Create a Comfortable Working Environment: Make their working and living environment as comfortable as possible. This includes providing them with a private, comfortable room and the necessary tools to do their job effectively.
- Listen to Their Concerns: Be approachable and open to communication. Listen to their concerns or issues without judgment. Showing empathy and understanding can help alleviate any feelings of isolation or stress they might be experiencing.
- Celebrate Special Occasions: Help them celebrate important dates like their birthday or national holidays from their home country. This recognition can make them feel cared for and respected.
- Encourage Skill Development: Offer opportunities for them to learn new skills, whether related to their current job or personal interests. This could involve cooking classes, language lessons, or other training courses.
- Respect Their Culture and Background: Show interest in and respect for their culture. This can include celebrating their festivals, understanding their dietary restrictions, and recognizing their cultural practices.
- Regular Feedback and Improvement Opportunities: Provide constructive feedback and discuss ways to improve their work experience. Involve them in household decisions that affect them to make them feel part of the team.
These actions not only cheer up your domestic helper but also foster a positive and respectful working relationship, contributing to a harmonious home environment.
You might also be interested in:
- Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
- How To Hire A Domestic Helper Online?
- Are You A Good Boss?
- 2024 The Blacklist Of Maid Agencies In Hong Kong
- Direct Hire vs Hire Through A Maid Agency
Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency In Hong Kong
About HelperChoice
HelperChoice is a reputable maid agency that holds a valid license approved by the Labour Department Hong Kong. The agency offers an online platform for direct hiring of domestic helpers and facilitates visa processing service specifically for Filipino maids. With a vast network, HelperChoice has successfully served over 75,000 employers in Hong Kong and Singapore, providing employers access to a pool of more than 20,000 domestic worker profiles. The agency maintains collaborative partnerships with local NGOs, including Enrich Hong Kong, Help For Domestic Workers, and PathFinders, organizing workshops and webinars to support the welling being and the employment rights of foreign migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
Employers are required to renew the employment contract and visa for foreign domestic helpers every two years at the Immigration Department and the respective Consulate. If you need assistance with processing the contract and visa for a Filipino maid, you can reach out to the HelperChoice team via Whatsapp. Normally, the visa renewal takes around two weeks to complete. Most visa processing packages include a mandatory two-year insurance coverage for domestic workers. For more info, pleasecontact us via Whatsapp.
See also: Visa Processing Service For Filipino Domestic Workers
Did You Know?
Premium Members (members who subscribed to the paid service on HelperChoice platform) can get a 10% discount on visa process service, including both local hire and overseas hire. Register now!