There are various names by which they refer to the women of this city. The foreign domestic workers are mui-tsai, an ironically endearing substitute for bonded servants, but they are not considered in the annual census. If the family was a little less well-to-do, they may hire an amah to eliminate the risk of their cheap labor running off with another man. Kong girl becomes a derogatory term, even when the Hongkong dream every immigrant ultimately aspires towards is founded on hedonism.
Before all labels, however, these women are perused as brides. That is, 23-26 is still acceptable, but 30 should raise some warning signs. Anyone above 40 is a direct disgrace to the family, the relative small children would poke fun of at large gatherings. Despite its obsession with some ideal paradigm of modernity, the city refuses to remove itself from the curse of the patriarchy. The city of women continues to operate awkwardly, with the female servant supporting the household hiding her face behind the kitchen counter.