First World Problems is a weekly advice column for India’s first world population. Write to Judy (confidentially!) at contact@theswaddle.com if you’ve broken a nail, felt a little blue, yellow or green lately,
or had a strange encounter of the any-numbered kind.

PROBLEM: We’re having some work done in our house, and we won’t be staying at home for a few months. The week before it started, I told my maid not to come for those months. She got mad at me for not giving her more warning before cutting her income. I pay her a good salary and don’t ask much beyond a couple hours of housecleaning on weekdays. Am I wrong for feeling annoyed at her anger?

I understand. But let’s see if I can help you understand. Imagine you’ve planned this summer trip to Bali with the girls (sorry, but you sound like the Bali type) for months. But you don’t have a travel fund or anything, so you just decide you’ll eat out less the following month because, after all, you get paid a “good salary.” But then, your thoughtless, evil boss announces that you won’t be working for a couple of months after Bali because who cares about your post-holiday financial woes when he’s got home renovations.

Do you see your maid’s point now? Except, replace Bali with such things as rent, school fee, provisions etc.

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PROBLEM: What is a good gift for inlaws’ 40th wedding anniversary? They enjoy good food and like to travel. My wife and I have zero ideas that aren’t lame.

I don’t get it — aren’t people who love to travel and enjoy good food the easiest people to buy gifts for? Won’t tickets to dream destination (or at least fifth-in-line) just about cover it? Or does that constitute ‘lame’ because it’s obvious?

I’m just struggling to understand how you define lame. Perhaps you could give them your favourite fantasy series (because, travel of the mind)? If you consider that non-lame, ‘creative’ and, you know, affordable.