The Maid is Always Wrong

2PM and 7PM Wednesday at Bamika's Maid School in Caledon Southend

Bamika's Maid School
Lesson 3.1 - The Maid is Always Wrong
Unit: 3 - Social context - Class System, status, power
1 December 2008


1. Service has a context - Power hierarchy, Class System.

2. The Maid is at the bottom of the food chain, she has the lowest status.

3. When anything goes wrong it is the maid's fault - The Maid is Always Wrong.

4. Taking the Blame - Coping Strategies.

4.1 Jeeves: Go "robotic" on them. Answer every question with "Yes Ma'am," "No Ma'am" or "Very Good Ma'am."

4.2 Infinite Apology: The Japanese approach. I'm so sorry. I'm so very very sorry. I am such a terrible awful girl! I'm not worthy to serve you. I throw myself at your feet. I abase myself. I'm SO SORRY!!

4.3 Picture your Master or Mistress naked.

4.4 Do something to make things WORSE. If you're going to get the blame anyway then give them something to really blame you for.

4.5 Leave. Leave the scene - burst into tears and run away. Leave the job. Have a sudden unexpected "SL Crash" and make a cup of tea.

5. Roleplaying - Participants will take the role of Master and Servant and roleplay some scenarios to show how they can deal with blame.

5.1 Mistress is Displeased

Mistress has had a hard day, she's in an unhappy love affair and she doesn't see why anyone else should have a good time. Maid is dressing her for dinner, and Mistress finds fault with everything she does - wrong clothes, wrong hairbrush, wrong shoes, wrong stocking, corset too tight, hairbrushing hurts... Mistress finds fault with the maid - she's stupid, useless, hopeless, she should know better by now, she's terrible, she doesn't deserve to work here, she's a terrible maid and it's all HER FAULT!

5.2 Wicked Girl

Master is very fond of maid. He likes to fondle and kiss her when Mistress is out of the room. Unfotunately Mistress just returned and caught them in the act. Mistress is furious and screaming insults. Master says that Maid came on to him and seduced him. It's all the maid's fault.

5.3 His Coy Mistress

Mistress has had a few drinks and is feeling very affectionate and loving towards Servant. She wants him to make love to her and is getting increasingly frustrated that he doesn't seem to get the message. Servant does not want to make love to Mistress and is trying to ignore her behavior. Whatever happens it's going to be his fault.

6. Review, Questions, Reflection. What could have been done better? How could this lesson be improved?