(1008) The Theory of Cleaning

My cousin's parents helped him purchase a house. A double-storey terrace house in any city of note costs about 700 to 800 thousand dollars. That price tag is well beyond the means of most young men in my country. Hence Kong's parents came up with half of the price in cash. The house was put in Kong's and his mother's names.

Kong's grandma was a little miffed at this arrangement. Well, I gently reminded her that Kong's mum bought a new car for the exclusive use of his sister. Through the months though, we noticed the young lady did not wash the car at all. It was the poor mum who cleaned it weekly despite her hectic schedule.

I asked Kong once why he washed his car but his sister didn't wash hers. His answer was illuminating. Kong has a confirmed job and used his name to borrow money for the car purchase. It is normal for the named owner to clean his car. His sister, however, was driving her mum's car. In that case, the actual owner is responsible for cleaning her car.

Therefore, I propounded my theory that Kong's dad is wise. The owners of the newly-bought house, his son and his wife, would then be responsible to clean or to pay someone to clean that house.