Butlers in the Media

by Steven Ferry

Just a few mentions of butlers in the media this month:

1. Two butler-robot mentions:

• “Butler Robotics” now manages a fulfillment center in Tokyo far more efficiently than humans;
• Marriott is the first chain to employ Alexa as a “butler,” really a relay of guest requests to other departments. Alexa does not necessarily subscribe to the butler code of conduct when it comes to discretion (talking ex-butlers notwithstanding), so guests beware.

2. A butler-in-the-buff who not surprisingly, given the ethic level for such a position, was arrested for drug running;

3. Myriad embarrassments from the talking ex-butler (which remind me of Mark Twain’s “It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt”).

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.