My housekeeper is vey religious and it’s causing issues

[Claradiplomatique]

We live overseas btw for anyone wondering.

So I have a lovely housekeeper who is very…religious.

She tells me off when she sees the children’s toys with horns (dragons, dinosaurs, Yoga Goat) or if she sees any children’s books about magic or witches. My own tarot cards and crystals are tucked into a drawer.

There is somewhat of a language barrier as I think we are having a normal conversation and she says “Jesus is coming soon” out of the blue.

There is also an ongoing battle between the nanny (different religion) and the housekeeper as nanny believes in evil eye etc and has given charms to me and the housekeeper says they are “satan’s work.” Nanny took the children to a Halloween craft workshop and came back with witchy dolls and a pumpkin which housekeeper said we should burn.

They do however both agree that our rescue street cat is sent from God to protect us.

AIBU? Do I double down on the no religion talk or let her go?

🧿🪬

Couldn't you just see it as an opportunity to make the use of whatever resources make themselves available?

Good material that. Get an alter going to egg it on.

As a taxpayer - no thank you. That is surely on the list of stuff we don’t need to be paying for.

Just no. She needs to leave her beliefs at home and focus on her job, which shouldn't include telling other people how to live.

Aw come on, it's all part of engaging with the culture. You wouldn't want to upset your driver either by firing housekeeper. I would double down but let her off if the occasional 'Jesus is coming' pops out. I also wouldn't be showing favouritism like keeping the nanny's evil eye stuff on display. If it's all nonsense to you then that's great.

This sounds like the script to a Wes Anderson film.

You could say to the housekeeper "yes, thank you, I know your views on this and we'll have to agree to disagree. You don't need to keep telling me."

But then I think you'd find you miss those out of the blue comments and she'd simmer resentfully which might be worse.

I am curious about nanny with evil eye beliefs, could you explain that please?

What? We need diplomats. I am pointing out (humourously, I thought…) that the training they get in dealing with delicate situations between people with opposing views FOR BIG WORLD ISSUES would be equally useful here. Not suggesting that they get separate training in household management! 🤦

I love it! Just make up your own mad rules and imaginary friend... lean it to the madness!

Tell both the nanny and housekeeper to grow up.

Why isn’t everyone worshipping the cat?

There is a belief in this part of the world by many people that people can give you the “evil eye.”

It’s the idea that strong attention, especially envy or admiration, can cause harm, intentionally or unintentionally.

There are charms you can wear to repel it and believers wear them.

That’s what I understand anyway.

This is the cat. Apparently she repels demons.

She was injured living on the street and now she is very happy and loved.

My butler has different views than me on the sanctity of marriage, and it's really started to get me down.

But what's an average girl to do?

I feel you, OP. ;)

Need a picture of this cat, sounds like he could sort the Middle East crisis out, “So we all agree the cat is awesome, ok so we have some common ground at last”

I know to a lot of people it seems funny but this is how a lot of people live overseas. Diplomats, people working in oil or banking etc. And when you have people in your home wittering on about religion it’s annoying.

Aww, she is a very pretty cat.

Very cute cat!

I'd agree Nanny worse, took the kids to a craft fayre and came back with Witchy stuff, you don't know what else she's shown the kids or came home with!

Cat says you should suggest the help worship her instead of their less-cute gods. Failing that, she would like them to continue adoring her and forbids you from upsetting them.

I’m presuming you are British. We are not British so I doubt you are a taxpayer of my country. 👍🏻🧿

My dad has a cleaner and she’s very very religious. First time I met her she handed me a little Jesus business card thing. I was kind of confused but apparently she’s the best cleaner and his house is actually sparkling. Cleanliness is next to godliness I guess.

It sounds entertaining rather than irritating. Lovely cat.

OMG this just gets better and better 🍿 😂

I would get rid of them both and bring up my own kids/run my own home. I realise that sounds a bit joyless, but absolutely nobody gets to bring that superstitious magical thinking crap anywhere near my children’s minds.