The Butlers Speak

by Steven Ferry

So finally, The Butlers Speak series comes to a close. The first issue was January 2017 and each month a different aspect of life as a butler or estates manager was covered.

Maybe one day, these luminaries will be quoted just as we are quoting the world of the butler two centuries ago in the ongoing MBJ column, The Wisdom of Butlers Past.

Now that the work is done and no statement can be linked to any butler, we can name the names of those who felt it was their responsibility to help share their knowledge and experience. They are:

Ms. Diane Shaheen

Mr. Lloyd White

Ms. Nancy Schmidt

Mr. Arnt Boesveld

Mr. Paul Burgess-Williams

Mr. Chip Heath

Mr. Roger Cushwa

Mr. Steve Adams

Mr. Sonny Bailey

Mr. Darren McCleary

Mr. Prem Rao

Mr. Jared Miles

Ms. Cheri Brasser

Mr. John Dishman

Ms. Maxim Zakatin

Ms. Karen Zdunich

Mr. Richmond Schmidt.

We salute you for providing valued and detailed feedback that shows you care greatly about the profession and improving it. I do not know how many hours have been devoted to this project over the years, stolen from a doubtlessly already packed schedule, but your collective selflessness and sense of duty are encouraging beacons in today’s selfie-taking culture.

As always though, those who give also receive, as these recent comments from the correspondents show:

“Thank you for the ride, it has been interesting.”

“Thank you for this opportunity to be included in this incredible series for the next generation of butlers. Reminiscing about my work has been rewarding for me, too.”

“Thank you for advancing the professional development of future butlers and domestic personnel. This has been fun for me, reminiscing about my career—something I had never talked about before. I have been happy to help. I truly appreciate your kindness and plan on continuing to enjoy and be educated by the MBJ, which I have been reading and saving since September 2010, re-reading to brush up my skills.”

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.