• 据美国侨报网报道，纽约的有钱人热衷于为孩子请一位讲外语的保姆，这样的保姆不仅能让小孩在潜移默化中学习外语，而且还显示主人的身份和地位。而近来，普通话华人保姆又掀起热潮，一位符合条件的保姆年薪可达15万美元（约合人民币100万元），但满足雇主条件的人相当稀缺，可以说是百里挑一。

    报道称，据纽约一家家政服务中介机构“Pavillion Agency”介绍，每过几年，普通话华人保姆会掀起一阵热潮，前几年热过一阵子，后来稍微冷却，最近又热起来。

    According to a report by the U.S. newspaper China Press, wealthy New Yorkers are keen on hiring nannies who speak foreign languages ​​for their children.  Such nannies not only allow children to learn a foreign language through immersion but also reflect the social status and prestige of the employers. Recently, there has been a surge in demand for Mandarin-speaking Chinese nannies. A qualified nanny can earn an annual salary of up to $150,000 (approximately 1 million RMB), but nannies who meet the employers' requirements are extremely rare, practically one in a hundred.

    The report states that, according to Pavillion Agency, a domestic service agency in New York, the demand for Mandarin-speaking Chinese nannies experiences a surge every few years.  It was popular a few years ago, then cooled down slightly, and has recently become popular again.

    Pavillion公司负责人格林豪斯（Cliff Greenhouse）介绍说，雇佣普通话保姆的客户主要有三种，第一种是华裔家庭，他们想让孩子传承中国文化；第二种是异族通婚的夫妇，丈夫或妻子是华人；第三种与中国做生意的美国家庭，他们想让自己的孩子在未来更有竞争能力，因为他们认为未来世界将要按照中国的规则行事。

    报道称，这些雇主有的非常富有，甚至是国际知名大亨。他们不惜支付六位数的薪水请一位满意的保姆，但要达到他们的要求很困难。格林豪斯说，他们一般要求保姆有良好的教育背景、会讲英语、有丰富的当保姆经验、时间有弹性、能够跟随雇主全家进行国际旅行。

    Cliff Greenhouse, head of Pavillion, explained that there are three main types of clients who hire Mandarin-speaking nannies: the first are Chinese families who want their children to inherit Chinese culture; the second are intermarried couples where one spouse is Chinese; and the third are American families who do business with China and want their children to be more competitive in the future, as they believe the future world will operate according to Chinese rules.

    The report states that some of these employers are very wealthy, even internationally renowned tycoons. They are willing to pay six-figure salaries for a satisfactory nanny, but meeting their requirements is difficult. Greenhouse said that they generally require nannies to have a good educational background, speak English, have extensive experience as a nanny, have flexible schedules, and be able to travel internationally with the entire family.

    格林豪斯还表示，职业保姆通常拥有大学文凭，最好是主修教育、历史、音乐、艺术。他们的年薪在5.2万美元到15万美元之间。15万美元年薪者，需要住在雇主家、24小时待命、放弃周末与家庭团聚。5.2万美元年薪者，则每周工作45到50个小时、负责带孩子上学等。

    报道指出，普通话保姆比其他保姆更难找，她们的年龄通常也比较大，一般都在40多岁以上。她们要做的事情包括: 照顾孩子吃饭、整理他们的玩具、安排玩的时间、跟学校老师见面、带他们去郊游等。

    Greenhouse also stated that professional nannies typically have a college degree, preferably in education, history, music, or art. Their annual salaries range from $52,000 to $150,000. Those earning $150,000 a year are required to live with their employers, be on call 24 hours a day, and give up weekends and family time. Those earning $52,000 a year work 45 to 50 hours a week and are responsible for tasks such as taking children to school.

    The report noted that Mandarin-speaking nannies are harder to find than other nannies, and they are usually older, typically over 40 years old. Their duties include: feeding the children, tidying their toys, arranging playtime, meeting with school teachers, and taking them on outings.

    报道称，普通话保姆稀缺的另一个原因是文化差异。格林豪斯说，很多接受过高等教育的中国人受传统文化影响在国内不愿意做保姆，但美国不一样，很多美国保姆有学士或硕士学历，并为自己的工作感到自豪。

    格林豪斯还说，美国雇主很少因为文化差异与保姆发生矛盾，因为他们通常都欣赏中国文化。

    The report states that another reason for the scarcity of Mandarin-speaking nannies is cultural differences. Greenhouse said that many highly educated Chinese people, influenced by traditional culture, are unwilling to work as nannies in China, but the situation is different in the United States, where many American nannies have bachelor's or master's degrees and are proud of their work.

    Greenhouse also added that American employers rarely have conflicts with nannies due to cultural differences, because they generally appreciate Chinese culture.