Ever wondered what happens to your car once the valet takes it?

Well, chances are that if yours is a new model from a fancy marque, the valet and his colleagues may take the chance to examine all its sophisticated functions in the name of research. The operators call it 'on-site training' but don't worry, it's purely "look, don't touch".

The valet who takes your car may not be the one who parks it. In a big operation, there may be a hierarchy of valets - those who greet the customer are the more senior staff while those who park the cars may be the ones in training.

Distributors of premium marques like BMW and Mercedes regularly hold orientation classes for car valets when new models come in.

Female valets are a rare breed. But LifeStyle managed to locate at least one - a 44-year-old mother with one child who would only give her name as Belle M. and who works at Greenwood Avenue. The telemarketeer by day declined to give her real name because some members of her family do not know about her sideline. She says: "Customers always ask me: 'Are you sure you can drive?' Even the women."

Valets see all sorts of strange objects in cars. But the most exciting discovery for one by far was a bag full of $50 notes left by the owner. Thankfully, the valet did not succumb to temptation as the driver soon realised his folly and came rushing back for his loot.

Singaporeans are inconsistent tippers. Owners of expensive cars may tip $2, while a valet once received $100 from a man who drove a 'normal' car. But nothing beats the story of the woman who gave $10 to a valet at the Paragon, only to call back a day later to say she only meant to give $4 and would they please return her change?