What I'm really thinking: the cleaner  'I can understand people
leaving bank statements lying around, but vibrators?' What I'm
really thinking: the cleaner View larger picture Illustration:
Lo Cole for the Guardian  I am not a robot, I have feelings. It
hurts if my employers ignore me or never appreciate my work. I'm
not ashamed to be a cleaner, but it can be humiliating if I have
to hoover round someone as they lie on the sofa watching telly.
Hiring someone to clean up your mess triggers strange emotions
in people. They feel uncomfortable about being too lazy – sorry,
I mean busy – to do it themselves, so they react by either
treating me like dirt or they overcompensate by being pally. I'd
much rather they were out so I can clean in peace.  One of the
best aspects of the job is the glimpse into someone else's life.
I'm amazed what some people leave lying around. Bank statements,
I can understand, but vibrators? I never snoop, but sometimes
you can't help but notice the empty wine bottle by the bed or
the se