They then entered a meritocracy, first as ladies-in-waiting to the sultan's concubines and children, then to the sultan's mother and finally - if they showed sufficient aptitude and were beautiful enough - to the sultan himself.

BBC: Uncover the secrets of Topkapi Palace

For those living exceedingly large, Schmidt and the other conference-goers represent a new breed of servant, 21st-century gentlemen and ladies-in-waiting.

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