Cleaning up

Time to do some real work... I made a trip to our apartment yesterday coz the cleaners were supposed to clean the apartment again, after I made a small complaint about how dirty/dusty the house was after the cleaning. 

Disappointingly, the apartment was still dusty and there were streaks of mop stains on the floor even after their 2nd cleaning. So I thought heck! I have lots of time and I can clean (maybe better than them). Lol.

Besides I wasn't sure what kind of cleaning equipment or solutions they used so I figured if I do the cleaning, at least I know what kind of detergent I'm using and that my stuff is clean. 

Hence my mission for today was born...

I made a trip to Carrefour to get a broom, gloves, floor cleaner, window cleaner, cloths, etc... Whatever you'll need to clean a house.

Now, usually it's very therapeutic for me to shop in supermarkets coz there's so much stuff to see and you can spend as much time as you want to read and choose your purchases (at least that's my experience so far in Singapore).

Now here, it's different. Yes, I still like to visit supermarkets but it's now less enjoyable along certain aisles. Sometimes along an aisle, there are more staff than customers. And once you show the slightest intention to head to their aisle, you can see them starting to advance upon you like a vulture! It's quite scary actually. 

Like today, I was approaching the cleaning detergents section when I saw their SPECIAL cart with promotional prices. So unable to ignore the urge to check out any good bargains, I headed towards the cart. 

Mistake #1: Poor/lack of observation - I didn't check to see if I was the only one at the cart. Having more people around the cart helps to divert the attention of the 'very helpful' staff.

Mistake #2: Still poor/lack of observation - I didn't check to see if any of the staff were around (Sometimes, the aisle can be empty as they disappear for unknown reasons).

So when I reached the cart and picked up a bottle of Walch solution, a very 'friendly' staff immediately came to my side and start introducing a product that was in the same SPECIAL promo cart. (Now their chinese is very heavily-accented so it took me quite a while to kinda understand what she was saying.) I just ignored her (I know it's rude and I felt really bad) and continue reading the description which printed in chinese on the product. But man, she just kept on going.... I just sorta nodded vaguely and walked further along the aisle, hoping she'll just get the hint and 'disappear'.

But no! She followed! I wanted to get a window and floor cleaner and I was looking for a familiar brand when she came up behind me and started talking again. I vaguely answered her about what I was looking for and started looking for what I want, when she shoved a chinese-brand cleaning solution in front of me which was about the same price of the product that I was holding but double the volume. ‘这个比较划算！’ she said. Being the people-pleaser that I am, I already felt very bad ignoring her enthusiastic service, so I took it and put into my cart, hoping she'll leave me to my shopping.

My hopes were dashed when I was at the floor cleaner section (they actually have KIWI brand!) that was further along the aisle. Instantly, she appeared and pointed to another chinese brand floor cleaner that was double the volume and just a few dollars more. Well, I actually hesitated because I always like a good bargain. The product that she recommended looks ok and it is double volume for slightly higher price. So I just took it, put it into my cart, smiled at her and said thank you, before making my way out of that aisle. 

As I seek refuge at the next aisle which is kinda empty, I look at the things in my cart and actually tried to think if I should get those products. Price vs need... Price vs trust.... Eventually I decided to take those which I originally wanted to get because they are familiar brands and I am not sure how the chinese brand cleaners will fare. Besides the savings are not huge. So after looking around and making sure that the lady whom recommended the products had gone for lunch, I turned back to the aisle and exchanged the cleaners. 

Phew! This was supposed to be fun, but I felt so drained when I left.

Anyway, back to my cleaning mission. I was actually looking forward to it. (The last few days have been far too relaxing - facebooking, blogging, resting in hotel, etc.) Hehe..

As I was cleaning, I begin to question the cleaners' cleaning methods or what their 'cleaning' comprised of. I picked up small leftover debris from the renovation like small granite particles and sand-like particles behind the cupboards and under the couch when I was sweeping the floor. And when I was mopping the floor (traditional style with a cloth on my knees and a pail of water - no kidding, it was back-breaking and knee bruising work), I wiped away some of the stains that were still there after THEIR cleaning. I actually spent 2 and a half hours cleaning. I felt so accomplished! But I think I'll get an 阿姨 (helper) to do such chores in the future. 

After all, I'm supposed to be a 'tai-tai' here in Chengdu, aren't I? (^^)