Adjusting to life here (at least trying to lol)
By BanaMukuka
@Greencindere (669)
August 9, 2022 11:12am CST
So this one is a big one for me. My mother-in-law and my sisters-in-law are skeptical about using the washer to wash clothes. Most of the people here in Zambia wash their clothes by hand and I understand why. The electricity is not constant, buying a washing machine is quite an investment but these are no issues that my in-laws are facing. We do not have electricity outages and all of them can afford to have a washer but instead they hire a person who comes once or twice a week and washes their clothes. They have also tried to convince me to do this as well and stop using my washer as it is not good for washing the clothes properly. It’s something I am considering but I don’t think I’ll get used to it. Just used to doing things differently I guess. At least I convinced my mother-in-law to start using the washer for underwear. Because the person that comes to your house to wash clothes, they do not wash your underwear, you need to wash your underwear yourself and everyone I know washes it by hand but my mother-in-law switched to a washer that we bought her for Mother’s Day. She is loving it.
There are many cultural differences that I’m facing daily but I’m used to that and I feel truly blessed to have amazing in-laws who are very supportive and very curious about my culture as well.
7 people like this
9 responses
@gtdoss (1013)
• United States
9 Aug 22
I have never moved to a place that did anything differently than where I come from. The culture differences must be fascinating! At least your in-laws are great people, and that has probably made the experience much more pleasant! I am so spoiled by always having a washing machine that I can't imagine having to hand wash all of our clothes. But I guess if you're used to doing that, then it's not a huge hardship.
1 person likes this
@Greencindere (669)
•
9 Aug 22
@gtdoss it is fascinating! I’m blessed to have been able to spend time in many different countries (haven’t been to South America yet) and to learn and experience many different cultures and lifestyles.
1 person likes this
@Greencindere (669)
•
10 Aug 22
@gtdoss I also wanna visit more US states. Only been to Iowa, Minnesota and Massachusetts. I went to Chicago and New York too but only the cities didn’t have the time to travel thru the states. Where did you go for your honeymoon? We are planning ours that’s why I’m asking I need ideas lol
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51531)
• Philippines
9 Aug 22
I've been dependent on using the washing machine lately. My hands couldn't afford to do some manual laundry liked I used to.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79731)
• United States
9 Aug 22
I don't know if I would be comfortable having someone wash my clothes for me but if it's the culture I guess it's normal there. One of my favorite modern conveniences is my washer and dryer.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79731)
• United States
10 Aug 22
@Greencindere I'm glad you're getting adjusted to having a washing lady and that she's doing a good job. It certainly must be a hard way to earn a living washing clothes by hand. I would love to have someone come to do the house cleaning
1 person likes this
@Greencindere (669)
•
9 Aug 22
Yeah it took me a while to get used to it (I’m still getting used to it I guess). Was uncomfortable at first but now I love my washing lady. Still using the washer occasionally but no need for a dryer cuz of the climate.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
9 Aug 22
You reminded me of my time without washing machine in my home in the Philippines. A washer came to wash our clothes twice a week but I didn’t give them our used underwear. When I noticed that my washing woman gossiped about the people where she used to wash the clothes, I didn’t let her come the next time. My sister offered to wash our clothes instead and I paid her well. She was glad to be able to earn from us while we were in the Philippines. Now, we have a washing machine there.
1 person likes this
@Greencindere (669)
•
9 Aug 22
So do people in the Philippines also prefer hand washing? I’m lucky as my washing lady is extremely nice and she does the washing for three other houses in our complex and she came highly recommended. I still do some loads in the washer but now I’m used to her washing it and I don’t wanna fire her and that’s why I limited my washer usage.
@Greencindere (669)
•
9 Aug 22
Exactly! Here people hire a person to wash the heavy stuff and everything is dried outside except underwear which you hang inside the house(usually bathroom windows have hangers).
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169966)
• United States
9 Aug 22
Bottom line, you have to do what you are comfortable with.
@kaylachan (57687)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Aug 22
I am sure you'll get there, it just takes time.
1 person likes this
@sathviksouvik (17949)
•
11 Aug 22
interesting share. In calcutta also people come to wash the clothes and get paid for them
