Lindau, 1839

The 27-year-old maid shared the fate of many young women of the rural lower class. Economic hardship forced them to serve in upper-class households in the city. To be a maid meant working in one of the least respected female professions.

Female domestic servants were badly paid and frequently also treated badly. Up until well into the 20^th century their lawful protection was totally inadequate. Between employers and employees there was a huge power imbalance.

Besides, the compulsory «Dienstbüchlein» could be used as a means of pressure against maids: because only a flawless reference made further employments possible.