Dignity

@sunrisefan (28650)
Philippines
October 7, 2018 2:57am CST
In our current culture (at least in our country), efforts are made to rename the occupations of some people to give them some sense of dignity. However, I know of some who still call their househelp "muchacha" or "muchacho" which is quite offensive to those who are sensitive to human rights and dignity Though the word still means the same as it is the Spanish word for female or male servant which is still a helper in another sense. It is precisely the reason government has renamed certain occupations to give some dignity to the person in that position such as "environmental specialist" for garbage collector, "transport manager" for driver, etc. Do you (except Hispanics) still call your househelp "muchacha" or "muchacho"? And do you know of any other occupation which has been renamed to give some dignity to the person?
16 people like this
17 responses
@ZedSmart (19754)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
People should not look down someone's occupation as long as it is not in illegal ways. There are many arrogant people out there who are well off but their earning are from shady deals and other illegal activities. We should not label people or put them in degradation because they're not holding the most promising position. They're fine as long as the person is doing good and did not take advantage to their fellows. Employees can sometimes abusive on these people where in the first place, they could not perform the duties of these people on their own. Not because they're paying them they deserve the maltreatment. They must be thankful on the person working for them it makes their life easier.
4 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
Ideally, what you're saying should be it but sadly, many people look down on others. I've been to NZ twice and my daughters say people there don't care how lowly your occupation is. They take you in the same way they treat managers.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (323727)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 18
I understand the reasoning but I think this can be carried too far. A shop assistant is still a shop assistant even if he/she suddenly becomes a 'customer service officer'. However I didn't object too much when 'housewife' as an occupation was replaced with 'home duties' so I can't really talk.
4 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
Yes, even if they have a change of name they still do the same job :)
3 people like this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
7 Oct 18
I don't have a helper at home but if I did, I would call her or him by their given name.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
That's nice, Ms. Marlina :) Neither do we have any help in the house for quite a long time now. My wife and I share the chores at home.
@sol_cee (38224)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
I’ve seen this in old movies where scary Bella Flores or other kontrabidas berate their househelpers and call them muchachas.
3 people like this
@sol_cee (38224)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
@sunrisefan have you ever had a muchacha..oopps I mean a househelper?
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
@sol_cee Long, long ago. And what we eat, they eat too. I know of many who have separate and different food for their househelp.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
I dislike it when I hear people(in our country) calling their househelp "muchacha".
3 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
7 Oct 18
I call our cleaning woman by her first name as she does mine. The janitors in our school were upgraded to custodians. However, they still do the same work. Teachers are now called educators.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
7 Oct 18
@sunrisefan It's nice when we call our workmates by their names. It's more friendly that way.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
I like your name for teachers :) My daughters say employees in NZ can call their boss by their names too :)
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
@DianneN Calling people by their names gives a feeling of ease. When I was in college, our professors called us Mr. or Miss So and So and it was a sign of respect to their students.
2 people like this
@Courage7 (19635)
• United States
7 Oct 18
I cannot think of any occupations off hand but I know what you mean and dignity is so very important to a person. I treasure it and respect it too.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
I'm happy you do treasure and respect a person's dignity too.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
@Courage7 We're on the same wave length :) Happy about this.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19635)
• United States
7 Oct 18
@sunrisefan It is very important as you say Sunrise.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
I seldom hear that word anymore around. But I think it depends on how you deliver certain word that you may find it offensive to hear. But I totally agree with you that calling someone with their titles should be delivered with respect to the person you are dealing with.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
@sunrisefan Maybe from your place I think that is really demeaning already.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
I still hear some people call their househelp "muchacha". It's normal for Spaniards though as it is the word for their language.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
@rsa101 Yes, that's right. It varies from culture to culture or country to country (place to place). What about in your place? Are househelp still called "muchachas" in your place?
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22403)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 18
No we don’t. We call them by their names and they call my parents “nanay” and “tatay” or mum and dad. We also send them to school. And eat with them together in the dining table.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22403)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 18
@sunrisefan Definitely will. I like treating people as people not as things or commodities.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
3 Nov 18
Your family has a commendable practice. Keep it up.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
3 Nov 18
@flapiz That's the girl! :)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
Every work that you mentioned is dignified. Only those who don't respect the work won't understand what dignified means.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
You're absolutely right!
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
8 Oct 18
every worker, regardless of how menial the task is, deserves respect and the one doing it definitely earn the dignity too.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
That should be it, Lany :)
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
7 Oct 18
I think in Germany household helps are called only by their names.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
That should be much, much better :)
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Oct 18
We don't rename the occupations here. Shakespeare said, a Rose by any other name, would smell as sweet.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Oct 18
@sunrisefan Isn't the job the same, no matter what you call it? You can and should respect people no matter what job they hold.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
@just4him Yes, you're right - the job is still the same.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
I guess that would be fine. What's important is dignity and respect for the person, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19274)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
They are now called "kasambahay" or "housemates," instead of calling them helpers.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
Yes, that's the current term for them. Would it not be nicer if they are called "kapamilya" or "kapuso"? hehehe!
@yoalldudes (35042)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
Sometimes it becomes misleading.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
Seems like more technical?
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35042)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
@sunrisefan That also.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
8 Oct 18
That is nice, they are now professional sounding. We call our kasambahay by his name. He is like a par of the family. He eats with us on the table. It's just like calling some people like the guards as "jaguar" and the janitors as "jani" . Even in our office, I tell the person calling someone his or her defect never to do that. The person maybe just smiling but I know her dignity is being stepped on when she or he is called by those names.
@jstory07 (133797)
• Roseburg, Oregon
7 Oct 18
I call people by their name. I do not care what they do for a living.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
That's great, Ms. Judy. That's also the culture in NZ which I admire. They take you as a person and don't mind what you do for a living.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76376)
• Germany
7 Oct 18
I don't like that word muchacha. It is too degrading as the spaniards before in our country maltrating their muchacha. Even nowadays I heard those kind of treatment from real Filipinos who are not even rich. I don't have a helper at home. Only my family helps me with household chores when I am in the Philippines.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
7 Oct 18
Just like you, Ms. Thelma, I also find the word "muchacha" degrading though for real Spaniards, it's just an ordinary word though it's meaning being "servant" is still unacceptable for you and me hehehe!