Message from the Chairman
by Steven Ferry
Without the silent intervals between sounds in music, we would be inundated with continuous sound. Like “bad” is needed to understand “good,” so we need silence to help understand and appreciate sound. And so it is that I have no particular message to relay to you this month, except “Take joy in the wide variety of life before you,” and I shall leave you now with silence!…
Butlers in the Media
by Steven Ferry
Trust a psychologist to twist reality into their own negative world view, turning a butler’s ability and desire to finesse a situation into a comfortable one for all concerned, into the assertion that the butler is lying—and from this negative evaluation, creating a new term according to this Psychology Today article, of Butler Lies that are defined as “lies we tell to avoid social interaction.”
Otherwise, there were three instances this month of the butler being used in commerce…...
Letters to the Editor
“THANK YOU for this very excellent message on Human Rights.” LW
“Great work from Mr. Kobi Gutman—he has great talent and works with such fine detail—exceptionally amazing, thank you.” RF
Mr. Gutman in response: Thank you kindly, I definitely take it as a great compliment coming from you, after seeing your work.
[Regarding the article by Mr. Smith on hiring] “My experience was…
The Wisdom of Butlers Past, Part 53: After Dinner, Protocols for Candles
by Steven Ferry
Candles and oil lamps were the only source of light at night and required attentive care. “Observe to have all your lamps and candles lighted up in the drawing-room a little before the guests come. If there is a glass chandelier or sconces, and if they are so high that you cannot reach them without steps, you had better have a small cane or stick with a wax-taper tied at the end, and an extinguisher; if you have this, you will be enabled to light them and put them out without having to bring the steps into the room…
Let’s Talk Mixology, Part 72: Baby Yoda’s Cocktail & Mocktail
by Amer A. Vargas
On this occasion I present you with a funny cocktail for sci-fi lovers, particularly those who deeply enjoy the Star Wars Saga, and more precisely even, the new The Mandalorian TV series, which includes Baby Yoda as a personal favorite character for many; for example, Emilio, the 2 yo son of some friends in Los Cabos, Mx.
I am here simplifying the preparation, but you can see an extended recipe here courtesy of Tristin, from Home Cooked Harvest. These are the ingredients you will need for a single serving…
My Butler Julius: If Butlers Ruled the World
by Butler Julius
As we witness the world becoming increasingly fractured and common courtesy disappears, I find myself wondering what would happen if butlers were to be in charge of a country. You may laugh at such a thought, but I feel we are perfectly qualified!
We have excellent organizing skills; We give clear and precise direction and communication to our team members; We are always careful to listen to, and have empathy for, those with whom we communicate…
Paying Attention to Details
Because one image can say more than a thousand words, click on “read more” to find out how good (or not so good) someone’s attention to detail can be, and be left speechless….
Care of Leather Goods, Part 12: Exceptions & Hacks on Cleaning and Polishing
by Steven Ferry
For patent (high gloss) leather, apply the white cream designed for patent leather with a cloth and wipe off—do not use a brush or regular shoe polish cream or wax; If multi-colored shoes, such as in the case of some ladies shoes or golf shoes, use a neutral-colored polish; Shoes made of snake, alligator, ostrich, etc. skins need to be handled delicately with gentle motions using soft cloth—as their surface can be harmed by brushing/rough brushing. Also, they may require their own polish…
Coming Soon… Online Hospitality Butler Course!
by Amer A. Vargas
Being a butler is not just a profession. Some say it’s almost an art; it’s definitely a philosophy and a way of life.
Whether your company be a hotel, a resort, a cruise ship, rental villas or time-share properties, if you require training of your butlers, the new IIMB Online Hospitality Butler Course could help improve your butler team’s skills. The course provides a deeper look into the butler’s soft skills, including how to manage themselves as a true butler would. It teaches butlers new and old skills such as the right demeanor, the proper communication, the way to approach service, the butler’s Etiquette & Protocols…
Creative Corner
ft. Rick Finck & Kobi Gutman
We are expanding this monthly column to include other butlers who, not surprisingly, given the level of creativity the position requires, enjoy skills in the fine arts. If you, or any butler you know, are a creative artist in no matter what genre, please feel free to submit your/their works to the editor of the Modern Butlers’ Journal. This month we include a new creations by Mr. Rick Fink a retired butler with over 6 decades of experience and currently the principal of the Butler Valet School in England, and a venerable member of the International Butler Trainer Alliance….
Update on SABA
Meanwhile, the defendants are still actively advertising fake jobs to scam unsuspecting consumers into enrollment; according to Ms. Lin, “Consumers wishing to better their lives through learning employable skills, especially those from under-privileged…….
Temporary Butlers Sought
Recent Hospitality Graduates
In this issue we say hello again to the butlers and majordomos of the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in Baja California Sura, Mexico. A great team of surpassing expectations staff members that help the property to stay at the top of the best hotels in Mexico…
In Their Words: How Those Trained by the Institute’s Trainers Feel about Their Experience
Excellent feedback from the Butlers and Majordomos of the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal after the training delivered by IIMB’s president Amer A. Vargas…
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.