She’s new to the building and here’s what they say,
She has a career, and is out at work all day.
Comes home late from the office, is NEVER around,
To chat with the women, when they all gather down.
She dresses different from the stay-at-home wives,
They think it would be exciting to have her life.
Washing machines and a MICROWAVE,
And a vacuum cleaner – no need for a maid.
For her 9 to 5 is usually 7 to 7,
On days that are busy she’s home after 11.
We called her Microwave Madam, the one who was different,
But now our daughters have lives that make hers seem simple.
They work a 9 to 5 which really is 7 to 7,
On days they’re busy they’re home after 11.
It’s the life that we wanted for our daughters,
To have a career, and still be head cook and bottle washer.
The term ‘head cook and bottle washer’ is an idiom used to describe someone who is in charge and also handles minor details.
This is my story, and the story of every Indian woman who is the first in her community to have a career. Those were the days that the microwave was new to the Indian market, and families with women at home full-time often didn’t need the convenience. And thought that women who did were too hi-tech or too different.
Yes, Microwave Madam was me!
