From Sina, “New Shaanxi Regulations Force Nannies to be Mistresses”:
No tight fitting clothes, no heavy make-up, no nail polish, no flirtatious glances or living together with guys. These are the new codes of conduct for nannies in Shaanxi Province.
The Home Services Association in Shaanxi Province also provided specific details for these rules:
- Pay attention to hygiene and her appearance and wear proper jewelry;
- Should not dress too casual or too tight;
- Should not have long nails or polish them;
- When talking to the client, she should look at them right in the eyes, should not cross her arms or have her hands in her pockets.
- It is recommended that she speak in Mandarin and use proper language, should not curse or use obscene language.
- Should not share a room with the opposite sex;
- Should not have friends over for the night or stay out with no good reason.
The new codes of conduct also make it a rule that a nanny should not abuse their clients or gossip about them, should not try to borrow money from the client or ask for gifts . When leaving the house, they should voluntarily show clients her bag in order to show her respect.
Tao Yanzi (陶燕子) in the TV drama "Nanny."
Comments on Sina:
The new rules were probably made by the authorities’ wives, not themselves.
Why not just lock the guys’ underwear? That will be more effective.
Since when does the government get to decide what people can wear and what they can’t.
This is hilarious.
The problem of our government is that they are too bossy, which necessarily lead to an oversized government and then corruptions. Consequently, they will end up with nothing but a bunch of useless rules. Sometimes the government can’t help but make rules, because their own powers are not well-regulated.
It’s easy for people to judge. Do you know it’s very common in Shaanxi that the nanny is also the mistress. These women from impoverished areas are willing to sell themselves just for a little money, which already causes a serious social problem. Chinese always stress on conscience instead of regulations. It’s time to make some changes. I hope this time the government of Shaanxi province can work out some practical and effective solutions.
Let’s not make it a big news. They’re only regulations. I don’t think most people regard nannies as future mistress.
People don’t need to be treated specially but equally.
No regulation can change a nanny’s pursuit for a better life. If she is good enough, why can’t she replace the wife? Assuming everyone is wise, we should let the husband choose. We can educate people to obey the law, but can’t tell them what is good for them and what is bad. After all, setting moral standards is not the government’s business.
It’s inevitable, we have a wide gap between the rich and the poor.
Seems like everyone has their own understanding of this news. I work in the service industry. To be honest, I’m glad they made these rules, because it’s also protecting the nanny. For example, no sharing the same room with the opposite sex can prevent most molesting issues.
Use chinaSMACK personals to find…nannies.
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I agree fully with the new rules… But the pay better be changed also to accommodate these rules tool. Give us the professional pay and we will give you professional services!
Oh no, ChinaSmack found out about my Tao Yanzi nanny fantasy.
So in which Provence can I have a nanny where it is okay that she is a mistress, too?
This is good. Nannies and Ayis should be licensed (license fee should be very low), with grades A, B, C, and minimal wages should be set. Ayi needs protection and regulations
@Putonghua
That’s not really a form of employment, it’s more like a mistress who doubles as a nanny, AKA a subservient girlfriend. :)
@krdr
The idea sounds simple, but consider it for a moment, and you’ll realize that the simple and realistic sounding idea is nowhere near implementable or enforceable considering China’s current conditions.
@Rick
Do you following me, and then trying “to kill me with the words” ;D.
It is good idea. Maybe it isn’t implementable at the moment, but it should be implemented. Did you know it takes about two years for new legislation to be implemented on whole territory of mainland China? I heard about it from my friend, a diplomat.
@ krdr
I agree with you, especially b/c the central role of a nanny is to, y’know, take care of children. Unfortunately, like Rick said, it is way too hard to do this and personally, I think it is partially b/c it would lead the way to them forming a union.
Ironically, the fact that women need to be told to act professionally in a workplace from the municipal government just speaks volumes about the women there. I know that many of them are kept as mistresses but surely, there must be a portion of women that are actually nannies that this is addressed to. China has seen their Fran Drescher-style nannies and it does not like them!
Regulation without enforcement.
I see this as an social experiments set up by central government in a province where even it fails, it wouldn’t affect too much, just as what they did in Special Economic Regions back in 80s. They regulate, they watch people’s response, they collect data on how it works, and if successful, they put the regulations to larger regions then the whole nation. Quite practical and cautious. BTW, I support these rules for protecting baomu(nannies) and hope it works well.
What does the job of a nanny have anything to do with long finger nails with polish on them? Should not share room with the opposite sex? Master excepted! “When leaving the house, they should voluntarily show clients her bag in order to show her respect.” Who is the one being not respected here? To be predetermined as a thief without having committed it is respect to the nanny?
Chinese should have a female android as nanny instead. She can be programmed to be perfect in all appearance and manners. Then their children will have perfect android manners and speech.
Do you see a lot of nannies with over-exposed clothes and flirtatious manners in real life? Everybody should behave himself properly according to the situation, why only nannies shoud be imposed these rules? I think it is a kind of insult to most of good nannies, and to these bad ones, they could still do whatever they like even in an angle’s costume. My conclusion is that our civil servants would lose no chance to show their foolishness and presumptuous to ordianry people.
@Ann @Sunset
Most of people doesn’t kill people on the street, but there’s a law against killing people. Most of people doesn’t steal, but there’s a law against it. Most of milk producers doesn’t put melamine in milk but some of them put.
Nice way to explain, I’m agree with that. We always need law to prevent
Ann,
I agree. China should invent … those fembots.
You can pay me some cash and I can make one for you… I’m like smart and stuff… hehe.
Quoting: “Most of people doesn’t kill people on the street, but there’s a law against killing people. Most of people doesn’t steal, but there’s a law against it. Most of milk producers doesn’t put melamine in milk but some of them put.”
There is a big difference with suspicion without cause such as this nanny bag search, and judging without proof. To mandate the nanny to open her bag everyday is to judge that mostly like she is a thief. Laws are for judges to decide in court if suspects of crime can be found guilty, and not the other way around, that judgement is made before proof. That may be the Chinese justice system and how Chinese feel, but that should not be the standard of a fair judiciary.
SanityWhat:
Yeh, if I have the money I definitely would…..
@ Sunset
I view these laws like the cellphone laws in my state (California) – sure, there are plenty of people that are capable of operating both a cell phone and a vehicle at the same time but it had become enough of a problem with those who couldn’t that legislation had to be passed. There may be good nannies out there but it is all the bad ones (and the fact that it is the Chinese government, MANY bad ones) that make the government pass such guidelines.
@ Ann
The household is not a democracy where an employee is “innocent until proven guilty.” As long as someone is under payroll, he/she is subject to such measures.
@Ann
As Chinamerican stated, China does not need Fran Drescher.
There is a big difference with suspicion without cause such as this nanny bag search, and judging without proof.
But how you react on security measures on airport? Are you terrorist? Me? My ambassador was forced to take of his shoes on Sheremetievo! On other hand, I some friends of mine, had problems with “borrowing nannies”. It is all about trust. If my nanny (or ayi) is willing to show me her bag any time, I’ll have more trust in her, if not… I cannot have a nanny that I can’t trust.
I agree it is a trust issue. I suppose all Chinese nannies cannot be trusted. Is that the conclusion you and the system are drawing? Just like at airports, there is always a potential for terrorists and the end result is just devastating as nanny stealing.
I think I am getting it finally!
This lack of trust bespeaks more of the Chinese society than anything else. Nannies are not the only ones who are suspects of thieving. This is a Chinese wide spread phoenomenon that comes in many forms and ways. Corrupt officials are stealing from people, companies are stealing from employees by underpaying them, pirating CD’s and fake brand name goods are all stealing. So, where should we begin to trust? It is indeed a very sad commentary about Chinese society.
@ Ann
It is a trust issue but it is up to the employer. You may trust your domestic staff but others may not. When a nanny volunteers his/her bag for a search, he/she is encouraged to do so as a gesture of good faith as much as respect. You are basically hiring someone to take care of your home and/or children, possibly in your absence. It leaves one very vulnerable and that is the last thing anyone wants to feel in his/her home. It is within any employer’s right to a search w/in his/her own home. It isn’t the same as when you are a suspect in a crime and the police want to search your home/car/etc. and they need a warrant. It is not an issue of civil rights but a matter of being comfortable w/ a stranger in your house.
This is a Chinese wide spread phoenomenon that comes in many forms and ways.
I would not go so deep. I don’t believe all Chinese are thieves. I hope Kai, Chinamerican and other are not thieves. I have number of friends and all of them are very trustful persons.
Phenomenon you speaks is endemic for all societies in transitions.
ChinaAmerican:
I have cleaning ladies, contractors work in my home while I am away. The question of trust has to be mutual. I pay them a good wage, I show respect for them as honorable human beings. I thank them, I visit with them, I praise them. This is the beginning of building trust.
Searching my cleaning ladies bags will only recreate resentment.
America is also losing trust in others. Parents won’t trust nannies but insist on finding the cheapest or illegal aliens. (I am not saying certain vetting process should not be used before hiring.) Parents won’t let their children walk to their friends house or school, they drive their children. In the mean time children are over protected and fearful of the world or robbed of all street smarts to cope. How do you think people in the old days survive tough neighborhoods?
It is a cold dark world when trust goes out the window and is replaced with suspicion.
they are treating that as a business and therefore it needs to be regulated, just like other business, which is cool. My question is, why don’t they legalize prostitution and come up with a set of rules on clothing/makeup/behavior for our ladies in the streets? that would be quite interesting. Lol
@Ann RE: “I have cleaning ladies, contractors work in my home while I am away.”
There is a difference between a bonded worker with relatively high pay in America, and a migrant or ‘out of city’ worker at relatively low pay in China. If you refuse this, you’re ignorant to fact. Personally, I don’t search my maid’s bag, ever, nor would I ask…because I, like you, have built a long-term trusting relationship. I do have her bring me detailed list and receipts of everything she bought for the week when I reimburse her and although I never really look, do review it in detail once every couple months just to see if there’s anything I should pay more attention to.
This is a unique situation, however, and many friends of mine have or have had either maids who suck, maids who steal, maids who ‘perform extra functions’, etc. If you don’t think this is common in China, again, you’re out of touch.
This isn’t solely because of trust or lack thereof, it is new regulations which displays that the ‘baomu’ industry is trying to achieve a certain line of professionalism. There is nothing wrong with that and shows this industry is trying to ‘evolve’ and that is perfectly natural and acceptable.
If the nanny were a man, think it over. Will you require him turning out his pockets? Just wondering?
Paying a good wage helps with honesty. But then again with so many people justifying the bag search of all nannies, I am beginning to believe all Chinese in China are not to be trusted. Bandits they are!!!!
@Ann
Same rules for handymen, too!
@ Ann
In the old days, when my parents lived in China, they always mentioned that “We were poor and hungry but we trusted each other. We didn’t even have to lock the doors but it is different there now.” Not that they didn’t need street smarts but it was quite different back then.
Please don’t talk like Americans are the only ones looking for cheap labour – it goes on in every country and is probably more rampant over there b/c there is such an abundance of cheap labour. You have to consider certain conditions – are these people legal to work wherever they are working? Are they sent from reputable agencies or are they “freelancers?” It is easier to say that they are trustworthy when they have someone in good standing to vouch for them.
Also, I’ve worked for Chinese people in the US and I’m sorry but many of them WILL take full advantage of you. It especially sucks b/c they know the precarious situation their countrymen are in (i.e. illegal immigrants) and they know they can pay them less under the table. These bosses are people that had immigrant status not long before and they do not seem to mind hiring cheap labour. Hell, they don’t care if you ARE legal – if you are going for a dead end job like busboy, they know you probably have no choice but to take it anyway. My father and his coworkers went on strike over these people like this in the restaurant industry.
If something strange was afoot, all of the domestic staff would be questioned at the same time – the cleaners, the nanny, and the landscapers.
ChinaAmerican:
My point is not to say “Americans are the only ones looking for cheap labour ” My point is to have a nanny or domestic worker one can trust, the first thing to do is to treat him/her with respect, pay them a decent wage, care about them, give them your used items that are still in good shape, ask about their families, treat them like your extended family. I am trying to point out the lack of respect for the nannies in China, telling them to offer their bags for inspection. My housecleaner were not bonded. We established a good relationship and I turst her so much she has her own key to our house. I let her use the swimming pool for her family while we travel. We had a swimmingly give and take relationship until I moved.
The other part of not respecting nannies is that how is the nanny supposed to care for your children as her own. The resentment she has towards her employer can easily be expressed in being negligent or even abusive to the children. If you want good childcare, be prepared to pay a good sum for it and treat the nanny as family. I am not sure I can change the Chinese mind here on this blog. But, at least all those who support the policy lay out by the government should be not so simple minded to believe that having a law or requirement will somehow make the nanny love your kids. Unless the master/mistress only care about missing items from theft by the nanny. My mother used to say, “If you have been leaving out your precious items around the house, and if gets stolen, it is your fault because you tempted the poor people to steal. Poor people can’t help themselves because they have to eat”. I thought it was illogical when I was young. Now, I understand, I understand.
Chinamerican:
I am sorry to hear of your story about being exploited by Chinese immigrants who themselves have not been in U.S. for very long. It is a shameful but common story in immigrant communities. I had my own to tell for being made to work for my own sister for free as secretary, baby sitter, laborers, house cleaner, gardener. I worked 7 days a week. I had obtained a job in an American Corporation but was not allowed to go. She felt that I owe her a favor for having been my sponsor. In fact, my father had been in the U.S. whe she was born. But, I got born in Shanghai instead because of the War. Talking about fate! So, I understand and sympathize. But, I am glad you made it like I also made it.
I mentioned the use of illegal immigrants to work as nannies is just a statement of sarcasm, that these parents are cheap and exploitive and then accuse these nannies of stealing on top of being cheap.
Ann, Ann, Ann…
On one hand, Ann cannot accept children working to make money to alleviate their poverty and the poverty of their family.
On another hand, Ann fully accepts poor people stealing from others because “poor people can’t help themselves because they have to eat.”
Apparently poor children CAN help themselves and DON’T have to eat.
Wow, I actually feel embarrassed FOR Ann.
Hahahahaha. I can’t even bring myself to continue on this thread.
Parents are responsible in providing for children’ survival. Now that there is birth control available, there should be no need to bring in children only to make them work in slavery so they can feed themselves. Parents are ultimately responsible for the welfare of children. To that extent, society and society and society are responsible for protecting children from enslavement by gansters like businessmen and corrupt officials. Society means neighbors, families, government, judges, teachers……., the list is too long to count.
China has failed to protect her children from exploitation. (Helping on the farm is a different story as they are helping the family and assuming caring parents would not exploit them, that they would not choose to take a nap while the children have to do all the work, or keep all the profit to themselves for gambling and not provide for the children.
Kai and those who argue poverty excuses responsiblity in child welfare is taking the easy way out. Without expectation and a conscience, there will never be improvement and no hope. This is the sad part about Chinese acceptance of child exploitation.
@Ann
Ann, imagine this. Some poor guy come your home to fix your plumbing. He find one of yours diamonds. He take it. He leave your house. Then you find that poor handyman stole your diamond. Would you say: “Ahh, poor guy, he doesn’t have money to eat. Let him with my diamond”?
krdr:
You are stuck on diamonds, arn’t you? You are welcome to speculate.
@Ann
RE: “Kai and those who argue poverty excuses responsiblity in child welfare is taking the easy way out.”
I don’t think Kai ever argued that poverty excuses responsibility in any way…where’d this happen?
Thanks, Rick. Unfortunately, don’t hold your breath waiting for Ann to answer your question. She’s far too busy making straw men to flail at.
what a bunch of lame rules full of fail.
if i got to make them they would have to all wear skimpy maid uniforms, high heels, nail polish and doll up all they want, CAN bring her gfs over for slumber parties and use improper language and must retire when they are over 25.
WIN.
Ann wrote:
“If you are going for a dead end job like busboy…”
Busboy should not be a dead-end job. It should be first step to something better. It’s usually a first job. When I worked in Hong Kong 1972-84, hotel busboys were smart and friendly and full of fun. As foreigners we always smiled at them for their service and gave tips because of their lively energy and willingness to help. The most famous were the two young boys who opened the main doors of the magnificent Peninsula Hotel. They wore smart white uniforms and opened the big glass doors for every person who arrived. If there were no arrivals they would stand gossiping and entertaining each other. The guests in the Hotel Lobby drinking tea and eating expensive snacks were also quietly entertained by their antics. I am sure many of these bright youngsters went on to excellent jobs in the hotel trade.
Ann is a troll.
The quality of nannies will only increase with workplace protection, attractive salaries and quality skills and most important mutual respect. Most businessmen from Hongkong, Taiwan or other Overseas Chinese take on a defacto mistress due to nannies on mainland China and also have kids with them.
What I observed in China (or most of Asia) is people in general will test the limits to see what they can get away with…People steal to see if they get caught, they embezzle, smuggle drugs, smuggle electronics across borders (via sewers, wires) to avoid VAT, men have mistresses, wives have affairs. The enforcement and consistency in judgment in China and its society/gov’t is lacking at best, non-existent at worse. The chinese gov’t is a joke in its present condition. One party gov’t generally will fail over time…People tend to look out for themselves and never consider their society or the world for that matter…
China is beginning to pay for sins of economic improvement and probably 1 party rule is forms of bad drinking water (shipping water from south to north), bad air (smog, sand storms) and collapse in society (lack of caring ppl, volunteering for its sake), little emperors/empress, etc.