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The Modern Butlers’ Journal, December 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Christmas for Butlers

As we approach the holiday season, please spare a thought for all the butlers and private staff who will be working over the festive period. I am not so sure it’s the most wonderful time of year for us who are responsible for making it a magical time for our principals. I am sure I am not alone in missing out on spending time with my own family because I have to serve another at Christmas, not to mention birthdays and anniversaries etc.

However, this, to use a cliché, is what we signed up for.

On the other hand, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction when everything passes off smoothly and your principal and guests have truly had the most wonderful time of their year.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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The Modern Butlers’ Journal, November 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

The Difference between a Butler and a Waiter

I was once asked, “What is the difference between a butler and a waiter?”

It made me think, because to those of us in private service the answer is obvious, but is it really?

We could argue that we look so smart in our three-piece butler suit and hopefully polished shoes, and that we have a high knowledge of etiquette, and discretion and other qualities run through our DNA.

I am not for a minute downplaying the wonderful job waiters do, but the main difference in my mind is that being a butler is a vocation for us wherein it is an honor to be able to serve and to look after our principals and guests in the finest way.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, October 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

If Butlers Ruled the World

As we witness the world becoming increasingly fractured and common courtesy disappears, I find myself wondering what would happen if butlers were to be in charge of a country.

You may laugh at such a thought, but I feel we are perfectly qualified!

We have excellent organizing skills;

We give clear and precise direction and communication to our team members;

We are always careful to listen to, and have empathy for, those with whom we communicate;

We ascertain what our employers want and then work diligently to provide it;

We know how to plan and implement whatever is needed on time and within budget.

And lastly, as we believe in manners, etiquette, and essentially in having respect for others, we tend to bring about a polite and smoothly running environment around us.

Do you agree?

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, September 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Job Specification versus Reality

While enjoying a coffee with a butler colleague, he told me what is becoming a very familiar tale these days about starting a new job and being expected to work 80-plus hours a week.

I asked what his contract specified, to which he laughed and said, “You know that doesn’t mean a thing.”

Consequently, he is now searching for a new position, which explains in part the large turnover of staff in private residences. On the flipside, I know a number of people who work for demanding families but who are compensated and treated very well and as a result have stayed for a long period of time.

Our employers tell us at the outset that they are looking for loyalty, continuity, and a high level of service. The way to bring this about is very simple: Invest in, and look after, your staff and the results may well be pleasantly surprising.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, August 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Clean Shaven or Whiskers? 

My views on this may raise an eyebrow from our wonderful editor of this monthly newsletter, so I apologize in advance, the subject being, “Should male private staff and especially butlers be clean shaven or allow themselves to have a little facial hair?”

One can argue the merits of hygiene when serving food and cleanliness when considering the bewhiskered over the shaven.

Should it be a matter of personal choice or is it up to the principal to decide? I have known staff who reluctantly have shaved their prized whiskers as their employer did not approve.

Just a thought when preparing for an interview—the old adage that you only have one chance to make a first impression may give one pause for thought in considering whether it may be best to have any beard or moustache neatly trimmed, or even perhaps, to be clean shaven….

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, July 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Rewards of Service

Many of us who have been in service for a number of years will have received gestures of thanks ranging from cash to even cars and property. It has to be said, the larger tokens of thanks only happen in very rare circumstances.

To the outside world, the perception is that the staff of the ultra-wealthy are showered with gifts, but this is far from the reality, as the very wealthy often can be very careful with their money. Those entering domestic service hoping to enjoy such spoils are quickly disappointed.

In my experience, anyone providing service for material gain rarely succeeds, while those who dedicate their lives to serving others often reap the rewards. A good example is Mr. David Berwick, valet for 46 years to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh: After The Duke’s death, he was named in the will and became a member of The Royal Victorian Order.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, June 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

IN WHAT KIND OF POT SHOULD TEA BE BREWED?

I have been asked whilst serving afternoon tea, if there is any difference between using a porcelain tea pot and a silver one. The obvious answer is price; however, the complete answer is a little more complicated than that: Traditionally, tea was sourced from two countries—China and India.

Tea from China is more delicate and so is better suited to porcelain pots, as these are flavor-neutral and do not alter the taste, colour, or bouquet of the tea.

With regard to silver teapots, the minerals in the metal react with the water and, over time, people found it enhanced the flavour of the more robust black teas that came from India.

Today, especially with the advent of tisanes, we see glass teapots in use, which also work well for herbal and delicate white or green teas from China.

Whichever tea pot you decide to use, make sure it is well maintained and it will provide service for many years to come.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, May 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Pocket Square Fold

While watching the incredibly moving funeral of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at St. George’s Chapel, I recalled the time I had the honour of Serving His Royal Highness at a private function. One particular memory of that day was when he was standing next to his son, HRH the Prince of Wales: both gentlemen looked absolutely immaculate in their Saville Row suits. However, when it came to the pocket square fold, they took a very different direction: the Duke with his customary presidential fold and the Prince with the traditional puff. As to which one has the most merit, a tailor once told me the secret is: the less contrived it looks, the better it is.

Ed: For more information on pocket squares.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, April 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

SPRING CLEANING

For those of us living in the Northern hemisphere, it is the start of Spring, and for those of us in household service, this means one key thing: Deep cleaning and readying our principals’ property for the Summer, generally known as “spring cleaning.”

You may not be aware that this age-old tradition began in Persia (now Iran), signaling the beginning of the Persian New Year and is a custom still followed today. It is referred to as “shaking the house,’’ wherein everything in the dwelling is cleaned, from curtains to carpet.

Later, in Europe and the US, spring cleaning was popularized as the arrival of warmer weather allowed people to open their windows in order to let out the dust and stale air, but before the temperatures rose enough for unwelcome insects of one stripe or another to proliferate and take the open windows as an invitation to invade the residence.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Julius Smith Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, March 2021, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Being of Service

Some of us come to this wonderful profession of butler late in life and some much earlier, entering through different routes such as a butler school or working in a hotel. The one common factor we all share is the wish to be of service. Being a butler can involve personal sacrifice—I have no doubt all of us can recall numerous times we have missed family gatherings and anniversaries in order to service our principals and their guests. We take this in our stride because our reward comes in the satisfaction of knowing we have truly been of service. So to all those young and old who are joining our industry, welcome, good luck, and I am sure you too will take deep satisfaction in striving to be the best butler you can be.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.