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

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Valentine’s Day

From beleaguered London, I offer the following to rise above the continued craziness we are experiencing, particularly these days when we are being asked to stay at home yet again. It’s nice every now and then to do something special, and with Valentine’s Day coming up, what would be better than to show our appreciation for that very special person, yourself? Many of us in private service won’t be on duty that day, so why not use the day as an excuse to dress our dining table beautifully and push the boat out. As Valentine’s Day is about love, let’s set the mood and put cards and photographs on display. I like to scatter red roses over the table cloth. If you can, use the best china and open a bottle of champagne to celebrate. This is what we do for our principals on a regular basis, so let’s keep the tradition alive and treat ourselves this 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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Julius Smith Newsletter

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

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

Working in a Formal or Informal Environment

Recently I had a very interesting conversation with my eldest daughter, who is training to become a nanny at Norland College in Bath [England]. She is in her final year and the time has come to find a placement with a family, She has been offered the choice of working for a formal or an informal family. Giving her my opinion, I stated I always prefer a formal family. Throughout my career, I have always tended to work in a formal environment. You may call me old school, but it works when an employer and an employee know their roles. I know the modern trend is for families to be more engaging with their staff, but in my experience this often ends in tears. This is the reason it is often easier to be engaged by someone who grew up with staff in their household.

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, December 2020, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithMy Butler Julius

by Julius Smith

GREETINGS IN A COVID WORLD

In today’s socially distanced world, the shaking of hands has now become taboo and temporary made redundant. To find an elegant alternative to make a greeting, I believe we should follow HRH The Prince of Wales and do what is called a “namaste,” a popular custom in India and Asia.  To perform this welcome, place your hands together fingers upwards and thumbs resting close to the middle of your chest. This is ideal for butlers, as the gesture includes a slight bow of the head, something we as butlers are well used to executing.

Hand gestures can also make up for the lack of facial expressions when wearing a mask; one of my favourites is when a person compliments you, you can place your right hand over your heart to show appreciation and also, in our world, signal “It is my pleasure.” This is a warmer response than simply nodding when no smile is visible to communicate the correct emotional response.

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, November 2020, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithEdwin Lee, Butler to Lord & Lady Astor

by Julius Smith

Edwin Lee was born the youngest of five children on a farm in a village called Dudlestone in Shropshire on the Welsh Border around 1880.

At an early age, Edwin decided farming was not to be his calling and, as his cousin had done, engaged in private service instead. His first post was as a page boy for a family in Lancashire, truly starting at the bottom. He was only to stay there for a year before he moved on to a large house in Derbyshire, to work in the position of footman for the Honourable Henry Mostyn, where his education began under a formal butler. For the next 10 years, he moved to various houses, always looking to move up in the ranks.

Finally, after visiting Masseys agency, he was invited to an interview that would change his life: He was taken on as a steward for Lord & Lady Astor at their homes in St. James Square in London and Clivedon in Buckinghamshire. He remained in their service for the next fifty years.

Over time, Mr. Lee became the valet for Lord Astor and described him as the finest gentleman he had ever had the privilege to serve. Eventually, he was invited to become the butler for the family. Serving Lady Astor was well known to have been one of the hardest roles in society as she was known to be a very hard taskmaster. Additionally, the entertaining at Clivedon was legendary and Edwin Lee oversaw all of it. Many people who worked under him describe him as being not only a wonderful butler but also the wisest man they had ever met, and he gained the nickname “Lord Lee,” as people felt he should have been an orator in The House of Lords.

Throughout his time, Mr. Lee was offered many opportunities to move to America and beyond, but he always felt a sense of loyalty to The Astor family.

One famous story about Edwin Lee occurred when, after a table for forty had been laid, Lady Astor came to inspect it. She climbed onto the table in her stockings and announced, “This will not do!” and began kicking the glasses onto the floor. At this point, Lee said, “My Lady, I must give my notice,” and proceeded to walk out of the dining room, at which Lady Astor jumped off the table, ran up to her butler and said, ‘’Wherever you are going, I am following.’’

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 2020, My Butler Julius

Julius SmithWhy Butlers Wear White Gloves

by Julius Smith

One of the most iconic images of a butler is a figure in a tailcoat wearing a pair of white gloves but how did this come about? Traditionally in Victorian times, only footmen would wear white gloves whilst doing table service. It was deemed their hands where not as clean as the butler’s and also, they would be carrying the hot trays so the gloves would act as protection from the heat. Another reason the butler would not wear gloves at the table was, whilst pouring the wine, the decanter or bottle could be slippery and if not handled well, wine stains could then appear on the cloth of the gloves.

This all changed after the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918, when the upper class felt their butlers should also wear white gloves in the hope that they would not spread the disease whilst being in their presence.

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.”