According to the International Guild of Professional Butlers, the number of butlers in the world has steadily increased over the past 30 years. This is perhaps not surprising when you consider that interest in the lives of domestic staff has been on the rise, as we can see with developments such as tours offered in historic manor houses such as Blenheim Palace, where visitors learn about the daily routines of the people who work there.
As the former butler who goes by the pseudonym “Stevens” tells The Guardian, the modern butler bears little resemblance to those in the story or the characters we see featured in period dramas. He says: “At that time, the butler had to embody the virtues that were required of the head of the family, in addition to polishing the silver, decanting the wine and making sure that the rest of the staff fulfilled their functions, looking immaculate and following the rules. rules”. protocols in your range. “Now, says 25-year-old butler Alan Miller,” butler work is much more intense in terms of multitasking and smart technologies. “
What are butlers doing today?
Stevens compares his role in the 21st century to being an actor in a multi-role play: “I wear a mask (metaphorically, of course) that helps me navigate the line between servitude and submission, while attending all the whims of my teacher request, strange as it may be (providing the dog with an ice cream Evian), ridiculous (filling a library with books chosen to match the room’s color scheme), or impossible (24 hours to find tickets to the final of a world-famous sporting event) “.
Today, many butlers prefer to use the title “home manager” or “property manager,” in keeping with the recent surge in demand for private domestic staff working in mansions and homes around the world.
The qualities of a good modern butler.
Of course, any professional butler must be well versed in proper etiquette for his or her client’s position and conduct himself professionally at all times. However, as Stevens points out, they must also adapt to the culture of their customers.
Stevens explains that one of the most difficult aspects of his role is knowing his ‘teacher’ well enough to predict how he will react to your plans and services. However, he emphasizes that loyalty and discretion are the most important qualities that a good steward can possess. A butler must be a reliable and subtle confidant, as well as helping clients in their daily lives.
However, the days of stewards acting as a servant figure are long gone. Problem and conflict resolution skills are a must: “A good steward should offer a diplomatic solution to any awkward moment and never be afraid to face a scary boss,” says Stevens. As Fortune.com explains, “Butlers take care of all the unpredictable needs in the home, while housekeepers take care of the predictable ones, like cleaning the rooms.”
New job opportunities for butlers
These days, butlers are not exclusive to stately homes or estates. Many butlers and household managers now work in hotels and luxury establishments that serve a multitude of clients every day. Ike Podlesny, a butler at The Lodge hotel in Georgia, tells Fortune.com that a butler who works at a hotel may be responsible for running errands, such as fetching his favorite brand of beer or a pair of cufflinks, buying suitcases or hang celebratory decorations. However, wherever a steward works, the main message is that “as long as it is not illegal or immoral, we will.”
These days, people can find themselves working as butlers following a variety of career paths, from attending elite training schools to progressing into jobs such as private chef or nanny work. Whether acting as an individual’s personal assistant or a company concierge, each butler must be ahead of the needs of their clients.
What is the modern butler like?
Far from the customs of the past, where almost all butlers were male and elderly, the face of household management is not notably more diverse. Today, women work in the fields, as do the younger ones. According to Gary Williams of the British Butler Institute, “In general, women who are trained as butlers tend to engage in” managing superyachts or private jets “rather than managing property.
The world of private service is constantly evolving and becoming more diverse and welcoming. Lord Somerleyton recently hired butlers Matthew Hardy, who is also a concert piano player, and his partner, Peter Thompson, to work for his family, as The Telegraph reports. We can imagine the world of butlers as outdated, but the reality is much more progressive: Above all, butlers must be able to become part of the family.
