Once upon a time there was a very clever Mexican maid named Maria. Her hands were wrinkled from years of housework done for rich American women and her brow was furrowed from worrying about her relatives back in the old country, where she sent most of her check each month. She had come to the United States over 30 years ago, and had worked for the same family for all those years. The Lady of the house looked down on Maria, but everyone else loved her, for she always managed to share a kind word and a smile.
One day the woman of the house was in a typically foul mood, and found a reason to criticize everything Maria did. Maria just smiled, which made the lady even more angry, and even more aggressive in her verbal attacks. Finally, Maria said to the wife, "Missus, I need a raise."
The woman was shocked. She asked, "Why should I give you a raise?"
Maria: "Well Señora, there are three reasons why I want an increase. The first is that I iron better than you."
Wife: "Who said you iron better than me?"
Maria: "Your husband said so."
Wife: "Oh."
Maria: "The second reason is that I am a better cook than you."
Wife: "Nonsense, who said you were a better cook than me?"
Maria: "Your husband did."
Wife: "Oh."
Maria: "My third reason is that I am a better lover than you."
Wife (really furious now): "Did my husband say that as well?"
Maria: "No Señora, the gardener did."
Maria got her raise.
Original Post