Raised profile

It raised her "profile" at the nightclub - something which the management spotted at once.

She said: "I think they knew that I could afford not to work so hard... or that I could move on to another nightclub."

Mis Wei-wei claimed she was thus "promoted" to mamasan and asked to manage a group of 10 girls.

But settling into the role when she was just 23 turned out to be tougher than she had expected.

She said: "Two of the more popular girls didn't take to it well - they were older and had more experience. I had to find a balance between being strict and easy-going."

She also had to put up with snide remarks, especially when regular customers preferred her personal attention instead of the hostesses'.

The challenge was in "how not to make the girls feel like I'm their competitor".

"That's taboo and they can just walk out on you any time," she said.

But the younger mamasans - most of whom are foreigners - may still have it easier, said Miss Candy, 26,who is also from Shanghai.

She works as a mamasan at a smaller club on Middle Road, and manages eight girls - all from various parts of China.

Miss Candy said: "Well, the 'tong xiang' (same village) feeling helps in some ways.

"The girls tend to stick together and look out for one another. It's like camaraderie."

While things are more "official and businesslike" with the older mamasans, the young ones tend to be more emotional.

Miss Ruhua said: "Everything revolves around feelings - it's about whether we like or don't like something, someone. You must be able to click."

And younger mamasans can relate better to the hostesses, said Miss Wei-wei, who thinks nothing of paying $6,000 - for liquor, sashes and tips - for a night of revelry at a male-host club for herself and her girls.

She added: "It helps them to de-stress and in turn, they are happier at work. So, it's a win-win situation."

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