She wasn’t well paid, and one day she asked her boss for a pay increase.

Her boss was annoyed at this and asked, “Now Maria, why do you want a pay increase?”

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.”

Wife: “So… how much do you want?”

Maria, the maid, had been working for her boss for quite some time now. She had always felt that she deserved a pay raise, considering the amount of work she put in every day. So, one day, she mustered up the courage to ask her boss for a pay increase.

Her boss, the wife, was not pleased with Maria’s request. She questioned Maria, wanting to know why she thought she deserved a raise. Maria calmly replied, “Well señora, there are three reasons why I want an increase.” The wife listened intently, curious to hear what Maria had to say.

Maria continued, “The first reason is that I iron better than you.” The wife was taken aback by this statement. She asked, “Who said you iron better than me?” Maria simply replied, “Your husband said so.” The wife was left speechless, realizing that her husband had indeed made such a comment.

Maria then went on to say, “The second reason is that I am a better cook than you.” Again, the wife was surprised and questioned, “Nonsense, who said you were a better cook than me?” Maria calmly responded, “Your husband did.” The wife was starting to see a pattern here.

Finally, Maria said, “My third reason is that I am a better lover than you.” The wife was now furious and demanded, “Did my husband say that as well?” Maria simply replied, “No señora, the gardener did.” The wife was shocked by this revelation and realized that perhaps Maria was right in asking for a pay raise.

After a moment of silence, the wife finally asked, “So… how much do you want?” Maria had finally gotten her pay raise, thanks to her clever and bold approach. The wife had learned a valuable lesson that day – sometimes, it pays to listen to what others have to say, even if it comes from an unexpected source.