WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT
In physics, it is a fact that a positively charged object will likely attract a negatively charged object. It’s called the principle of charge interaction, which theorized that oppositely charged objects will exert an attractive influence upon each other while two objects which are of like charge will repel each other.
How true is that in human relationships cannot be absolutely told as certain studies showed varying results. Case in point is Ness and Riza, our kasambahays, which have opposing personality traits and characteristics, but continue to show one another with surprising gestures of sisterly concern.
They are complete opposites
Ness is the “Nico clutter his toys now, I will clean later” type while Riza is the OC type wanting to “Clean up Nico’s mess ASAP”. Ness moves faster in doing the household chores (she can do multi-tasks at the same time), but often is careless of little spits of mismis in the sink or little drops of water dripping in the water dispenser. Riza is the slowly but surely type who spends an hour or two in the kitchen to clean up even the tiniest drips of oil or sauces in the gas range. And that’s just a few of their many opposites in terms of doing the household chores.
In terms of personalities, the two also differ. Ness is the extrovert-type who, after doing her chores, would chitchat with the neighbor’s househelp. Riza on the other hand is the exact opposite. She’s the kanloloob-type where she’d rather stay inside the house and be contented listening to the radio till the top ten daily countdown is finished. And on weekends (which is their day-off), Ness would invite Riza to go out and watch a movie but Riza would insist she’ll just stay home and watch TV.
How they dress up, their choice of clothes, oh, how they are opposites too. Ness is the liberated-type who loves wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts while Riza is the Manang-type who prefers to wear jogging pants even on a heated sunny day.
Ness is the very outspoken and very frank type who is often tackless at saying at what she honestly feels while Riza is the quiet type who will not say if she’s offended but will burst once she’s had enough.
Yet, they attract
Despite their differing traits and attitudes, we’re surprised to see between them the sisterly love and concern they showered upon each other.
Ness won’t eat lunch, even if she’s very hungry, without waiting for Riza to finish the laundry. Ness would even initiate her way to help Riza hang the clothes so they can already eat together. Similarly, Riza patiently waits for Ness to come out of our room when she’s done putting Nico to sleep in the afternoon, so the two can eat merienda together.
In times of need, both are of helping hand to each other. Last October, when Ness had to raise some more money (aside from her bale with us) for the baptismal cum first birthday of her baby sister, Riza lent her money without second thoughts she’ll be needing money for her own expenses. Ness appreciated that gesture of Riza so now that Riza was the one in need (her mother’s house in the province need to be repaired because it was hit by a typhoon), Ness didn’t hesitate to ask neighbors and even parents of Nico’s classmates in school that Riza can accept sideline iron and laundry work during her day offs. Todate, Riza has accepted a sideline work for a neighbor of ours and Nico’s Lola Tita in Cubao.
Dealing with opposing traits
Many times, dealing with the opposing personalities of Ness and Riza was very stressful for us. It even came a point that we’re so disappointed because it’s affecting much of their chores at home. But even before little petty skirmishes between the two ballooned into something like a big conflict, we do our share to hear and weigh the points raised by both sides, thus, a dilemma to decide on an action can be avoided. When necessary, we talk to them separately and in private, and then to both of them, together. And we’re happy that most of the petty quarrels they had, they were able to resolve themselves, without our intervention even. And I just hope it stays that way.
What they wear, wherever they go during their day-offs, and their separate set of friends in the neighborhood—well, we don’t really mind much. As for their different manners of doing the housework, is not much of a problem with us too. Whether there are little spits, or cleaning the range takes forever, these are pretty little things that can be resolved with a little patience to tell them what to do anyway. What matters more to us is the concern they have for our little family and what difference two extra hands does to make the housework easier and faster to do.
I just hope they stay that way. And so of course, am keeping my fingers crossed now. 
18 responses so far
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i believe they have what it takes to be friends for a long time. esp now, magkahiwalay man sila ng landas in the future, pwede na silang magtext to keep in touch. youre fortunate to have great helpers. they may be poles apart, but they have the same heart, the same level of concern for you and your family
ladycess, that was my gut feel too. akala nga namin nung una (remember, lumayas si Ness tapos bumalik), magkaka inggitan ang dalawa at mag tuturuan sa trabaho. pero mali pala kami dahil kahit total opposites sila, we feel na pareho silang may malasakit sa amin. and we very much appreciate that.
You’re tagged > http://www.mitchteryosa.com/2007/11/21/my-husband/
The fact that they are opposites only goes to show that they can learn a lot from one another. It’s true, opposites really attract because that opens up new avenues of learning from another. And your girls seem like nice people. And it looks like they love your little boy. Ok na yun
Hi Feng. It’s good that their opposite traits are working to their advantage. They learn from each other. Even though they have different traits/styles/perceptions, it’s good to know that they have a common factor - concern and affection for Nico.
thanks for the tag Mitch! will do it po! bukingan time na ito, hala!
you know Mommy Cookie, I’m really surprised how well they care for one another. to think that each of them are raised differently, pagdating sa pagmamalasakit sa mga families nila, yan ang common denominator nila.
hmmm, I’m crossing my fingers, sana di magbago for the worst.
you hit the right words Rach. yup, their differences are working to their advantage. sana laging silang ganyan, napapanatag ang loob ko dahil parehong may malasakit sila sa family namin.
At least me helpers ka, kami wala
They will be friends siguro in the long run, and learn a lot from each other in terms of acceptance.
ay, inggit ako hehe.. we just hired a cleaning lady who will work 3 hours a week, not more.. and that’s already a luxury for us.. hmm, i just miss buhay sa pinas..
wow, we really do have a lot in common feng, i also have two ladies at home who share my son’s attention and they are just as opposite as your Rizza and Ness! congrats in your new home (blog)!
Teacher Julie, at least your kids are old enough na, hindi na masyadong kailangan ng househelp. it’s also a good training for them to be more independent. naku eh, pag medyo malaki-laki na si Nico, sana we can manage to do the household chores ourselves.
yes, I hope our girls will eventually accept each other’s traits.
Analyse, you bet! that’s one advantage living in Pinas.
well, re: your cleaning lady, at least you have one. that would give you quality time to spend with Louna and Frenchguy, di ba?
Roxiegirl, apir tayo! haha, so ganyan din pala ang mga girls mo? goodluck sa inyo, I hope your girls can endure each other’s opposing traits.
thanks for the visit here. feel homely in my new home!
Ok naman pala Feng. Kami rin ni hubby opposites pero ok naman. hehehe! The key there is accepting the person as they are. Pero di talaga maiiwasan yan na may konting frinction pero i’m glad they are getting along well kasi di ba nga mahirap din yung pinagdaanan nilang dalawa dati.
N!cE
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How nice that you have kasambahay who get along famously! They are happy living and working together. And they stay! You and your family are happy too. Everybody happy. So, it’s really nice to be nice.
hi Annamanila! remember you commented here before to advice to be gentle with kasambahays like the way you do? well, it stuck in my mind. and since then, like you, I’ve been calling them as my secretaries at home too.
hi Nice. perhaps nga, yung mga life experiences nila before ang nag bind talaga sa kanilang dalawa.