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Is a housekeeper male or female?
A butler is usually male and in charge of male servants, while a housekeeper is usually female and in charge of female servants. Traditionally, male servants (such as footmen) were better-paid and of higher status than female servants.
Today this role is still sought after. The role can encompass so much more, for example, a lady's maid can take care of the male and female wardrobes of the house. They can also offer a personal shopping and styling service as they often have their training in high-end fashion and design.
What's the difference between a maid and a handmaiden?
Long ago, a handmaiden (also called a handmaid) often served as the personal servant or maid to the lady of the house. You're much more likely to encounter this word in a book or movie these days, since someone employed in a home is more likely to be called an assistant, a housekeeper, or a cleaner.
/ˈmɪstrɪs/ Other forms: mistresses. A mistress is a female master — she's the one in control. The wardrobe mistress is in charge of costumes for a theater. At some schools, the head of the school is called the headmaster or headmistress.
A housekeeper or house cleaner refers to anyone who is employed in the work of cleaning homes and apartments. We refer to our team members at CottageCare as professional house cleaners.
Traditionally and in the past, an accurate female butler term did not exist, and women working in this role were called housekeepers instead. Generations ago, butlers were men and supervised the male staff, while housekeepers were women and supervised the female staff.
A handmaiden (nowadays less commonly handmaid or maidservant) is a personal maid or female servant. The term is also used metaphorically for something whose primary role is to serve or assist. Depending on culture or historical period, a handmaiden may be of enslaved status or may be simply an employee.
The Order of Servants of Mary (The Servites) is a religious family that embraces a membership of friars (priests and brothers), contemplative nuns, a congregation of active sisters and lay groups. The Servites lead a community life in the tradition of the mendicant orders (such as the Dominicans and Franciscans).
The Sister Servants run Casa Maria Retreat House, and also participate in family catechesis, Sacramental preparation, and other catechetical missions throughout the diocese, teaching “spiritual things spiritually.” (1 Cor 2:13) They invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for them and accompany them in their apostolate.
In conversation, refer to 'His/Her Majesty' or 'The King/Queen', as appropriate. 'Your Majesty' should be substituted for 'you'. References to other members of the Royal Family are made to 'His (or Her) Royal Highness' or the appropriate title, such as The Princess Royal.
A valet or "gentleman's gentleman" is a gentleman's male servant; the closest female equivalent is a lady's maid. The valet performs personal services such as maintaining his employer's clothes, running his bath and perhaps (especially in the past) shaving his employer.
The term maid is still in use today. However, some people believe it's outdated as the role has evolved and diversified significantly. So terms such as housekeepers, cleaning professionals, or cleaners are used instead. They're regarded as more inclusive and specific.
A lady might call her lady's maid Lastname if they had a formal relationship, especially if the maid was French or good enough to be called a “dresser” or “lady's” maid, rather than simply a maid or an abigail, although some people used those terms interchangeably.
Housekeeper: Although it is gendered, or specific to a particular sex or social gender, this word is not as pejorative as "cleaning lady." Custodian: This is one used in commercial environments but will also suffice for residential cleaning professionals.
A butler should answer calls to the household phone, greet guests at the door, assist in the planning of events and dinner parties, oversee table settings, and serve drinks and food. They will also (perhaps most importantly) manage the wine cellar. Additionally, a butler may be responsible for other staff.
Obviously, when you live alone, the housework is yours and yours alone. But what if you live as a couple in a male and female household? According to data from YouGov, many couples still consider cleaning, cooking and child rearing as woman's work.
