Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
When most of the airwaves are taken up with the pandemic, I am not inclined to add to the noise and confusion. If knowledge is power, however, then ignorance is weakness, and I have two videos that will empower you, I am sure.
Butlers in the Media
by Steven Ferry
The New York Times carried this photo recently, which was taken some time in the 1980s. Mr. Ivor Spencer, second from the left, front row, had an amusing drill for teaching proper carriage or bearing—the way a person stands or moves. This is vintage Sir Spencer (he was knighted by the Queen of England in later years), in that no self-respecting butler would be caught dead with a glass on his head; but if you wanted to teach students quickly how to walk upright and without a distracting or ungraceful…
Letters to the Editor
“Another great newsletter and I enjoyed the answer on ‘Continuing the correspondence with Alex’ with some great insights/history on the profession. “I wish I had sent you this Bar Butler photo earlier as it would have paired well with the BBQ Butler you mentioned. I saw the Bar Butler in our local supermarket in Mosselbay, South Africa.” RM
Ed: Glad you liked the interchange with the author about Batman’s butler—it was a fun conversation, and at the end of the series, we’ll link to his article…
The Wisdom of Butlers Past, Part 35: Dinner Service
by Steven Ferry
The next subject taken up was cloth, meaning the tablecloth and napkins (although the author says “if napkins are used,” which begs the question!). Table cloths generally had patterns woven into them, so it was important to have the patterns on the upside, not upside-down, facing the table. Where an object was depicted, the butler had to make sure the bottom of it was directed toward the bottom, not the head, of the table…
The Butlers Speak: Dealing with Dishonesty, Theft or even Criminality
by Steven Ferry
Have you had to deal with staff who might be described as being dishonest or even criminal? If so, what were they doing that did not work well for the professional home environment?
In my 40 years of service, I have seen my fair share of unethical behavior. Over a decade ago, I worked in a home where the client, a 77 year old male, was…
Let’s Talk Mixology, Part 54: Black Truffle Pear Martini
by Amer A. Vargas
As the world’s speed seems to slow down due to almost indiscernible entities, butlers try to stay positive and focus their attention on ways of pleasing others. And one of those ways is, of course, concocting delicious mixes! In this month’s journey into the world of cocktails, I propose to use some uncommon cocktail ingredients to make something really special. On this occasion, then, we will produce a cocktail using black truffles and truffle essence…
Consulting the Silver Expert: Covid-19 and Silver Sanitizing
by Jeff Herman
Sterling and plated silver have the advantage over other metals in that silver can kill or suppress the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, and fungus. But to safely sanitize your silverware and jewelry, use 70% rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer (may leave a residue) applied with a cotton towel (not a paper towel), make-up pad, or cotton ball. Keep these products from coming in contact with porous components such as wooden handles and finials, ivory insulators, wooden coaster bases…
In Their Words: How Those Trained by the Institute’s Trainers Feel about Their Experience
This month we greet a newly graduated group of butlers from the Royal Holiday Island in the Maldives. Thank you all for your great commitment and energy.
All of us at the International Institute of Modern Butlers wish you a bright future full of success!
“I have never had a trainer who could explain things so easily—I learned a different way to live my life…
Recent Hospitality Graduates
A great picture showing the International Institute of Modern Butlers’ Vice President for Asia, Mr. Budi Prihardjanto, with the newly graduated butler team at the Royal Holiday Island in the Maldives.
Congratulations to all!
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.