Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
For several months now, one ex-royal butler after another has stepped forward to express their learned opinions in the tabloids on the lives, preferences, private statements and actions, etc. of their former employers. I have commented often on Mr. PB, who is the most egregious in his outpourings, but anyone else…
Butlers in the Media
by Steven Ferry
The New York Daily News reports that a butler received $38,000 from the sister-in-law of George Soros for the “homophobic remarks” she made to him. In actual fact, the main issue was unpaid back wages as well as mistreatment, such as being forced to sleep on a foam mattress on the floor. The remarks…
Letters to the Editor
“In the Times of London there was a nice little article about the salaries of household staff—maybe something for Butlers in the Media column? I must admit that I was still a little surprised by the numbers that were mentioned in the article. Soon after I left the Butler Academy, I realized that the beautiful salaries that were mentioned during our training…
Professional Standards of Performance: Applications #6. Smart Phones and Social Media
by Prof. Richard Ratliff
Scenario: The world of technology, with smart phones in particular and social media shared across the planet in real-time, has impacted our profession greatly. I have been told, “It is easier to text than talk. You can be more honest. Plus, bystanders can’t hear what we are saying.” These points…
The Wisdom of Butlers Past
by Steven Ferry
And here is a traditional butler job that is also disappearing for many in the profession: cleaning silver and gold or plated items. What was true then is still true now: “Many are the ways and means of doing it used by different persons, and everyone thinks his own the best. Some, however, have much injured…
The Butlers Speak: Working with Children and Nannies-Raising Standards in the US
by Steven Ferry
100% of those surveyed had been in positions where they were asked to assist with the children of the family. For several, duties included driving the children to and from school, sports practices, friends, a movie etc., and taking them to appointments such as doctors and dentists…
Staff Training: Adult Training and Motivation
by Frank Mitchell
Adults want to be able to apply learning to real-life situations. It should save time, make their job easier or improve service. Otherwise they are likely to simply revert to old habits. ‘Wanting to know’ and being ‘eager to learn’ is the best attitude, but experienced managers will accept that it is not always present…
Let’s Talk Mixology, Part 33: Royal Mojito
by Amer A. Vargas
Drawing again from this writer’s recent visit to Cuba, on this occasion we will prepare another delicious cocktail based on the Cuban Mojito. But in this instance we will add some French and Venezuelan touches, using ingredients from those countries. Yes, we are making a Royal Mojito, which is a variant of the original…
Consulting the Silver Expert: Removing Salt Marks
by Jeff Herman
Salt marks on and in a salt shaker, cruet or other vessel, feels like a crusty mass and cannot be removed with silver polish. Any solid silver object with salt encrustation can be remedied while wearing nitrile gloves in a well-ventilated area: For just a few spots of encrustation, dip a Q-tip or cotton ball into…
In Their Words: How Those Trained by the Institute’s Trainers Feel about Their Experience
The following are some comments from the butlers Mr. Vargas, the IIMB’s Vice-president and trainer for Spanish Speaking Markets, had the pleasure of coaching during his recent one-month stay in Cuba: “What I liked the most was the opportunity to listen to the experiences of the butler and sharing mine with…
Recent Hospitality Graduates
On this occasion, we welcome butler graduates from Holguin and Varadero in Cuba, and from Bodrum in the south-west of Turkey.
We wish all of you the best of success and a brilliant future!
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. Contact us for all your training needs via email at enquiries@modernbutlers.com or via telephone: USA 1-813- 354-2734. We invite you to also visit our website www.modernbutlers.com for more information.
Please email the editor of The Modern Butler’s Journal at newsletter@modernbutlers.com with any article ideas, concerns, comments, or suggestions.
Here is an easy and a very special creation you can make for your guests to take home some memorable moments of their vacation, or as a personal touch to decorate their room and make them feel at home, and much more – a wood photo transfer. For this project you will need a computer and printer…
Since the original duties of the “cup bearing” butler included maintaining the wine cellar, it is logical to assume that the butler must also know how to serve the beverage! For a quick at-a-glance reference, do keep Serving the Wealthy Appendix 10A in Volume 2 at your fingertips. It is found on page 295 of…
If you’ve used microfiber cloths, which we have recommended in the past, you’ll know that they clean very well and easily. A new product on the market, OneMop® and OneWipe system uses microfiber refill pads and the OneWipe microfiber cloths to reduce water consumption by up to 99%, without…