I had an "Amah" until I was 4, when we moved back to the States. We had cooks, a driver, maids, etc...I think it is quite different when it comes to domestic help in China. For one thing, its affordable over there. I loved my "Amah," & remember how sad I was to leave her when we had to move...one of my mother's favorite stories regarding how my "Amah" spoiled me was that any time I was given candy, or some other forbidden treat, I would say in a conspiratorial voice, "Don't tell Missy" ("Missy" being the title the domestic help had for my mother). I also used to imitate my "Amah," who had a friend who worked for the people next door. Every day my "Amah" would gossip over the wall between our houses with her friend next door. I would imitate her by standing on a wooden box & talking nonsensical Chinese to various random walls in our house, & wondering why the walls never talked back ....Anyhoo, I think I turned out allright...at least I no longer speak to walls in Chinese & can be given a treat without whispering "Don't tell Missy!"