There are two topics that Indian women always talk about- their maids and where to shop. It doesn't matter whether they are the CEOs of some gargantuan corporation or some idle housewife they all bemoan their useless maids.

As it happens I was told that the new Rajasthani neighbors have been trying to woo my maid away from me without paying the salary I am currently paying her.

I felt chagrined and smug at the same time. The new neighbors that have moved in across are jewelers come pawn shop owners. They are the typical small town Rajasthanis Marwari merchants who have come to get a slice of Bangalore economic boom but they stand out like sore thumbs just as I do.

But thats where the similarities end. Their wives roam around with their heads covered, wearing Langa Choli (blouse and a skirt covered with a transparent dupatta) and a kid nestled on the side whereas I am a woman the Rajasthani men would never want their women to be- wearing jeans, listening to Hip Hop and honking at their slim beautiful docile wives.

And yet they want my MAID!! For whatever reason they think its that easy to pouch on my maid. Obviously if she wants to leave she is most welcome to but even she knows it entails more work, less pay and the other side of the septic tank (literally) which is my house is much greener.

Maid pouching is nothing new. I grew up hearing of fights between female neighbors and even relatives over maids. Some women even stopped speaking to each other because of their maids, its that serious an issue.

Maids- we can't live with and without them in India.