"Sir, I've had my fill of sweaty purple spandex."
Posted on 06/25/2007 10:06:52 AM PDT by Renfield
The world's richest people are facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions: a chronic shortage of butlers.
English butlers are sought after for their 'calmness in the face of adversity'
The demand for a new generation of Jeeves and Hudsons - from London to Dubai and, especially, from the Hamptons to Malibu - is so high that it is being counted in the tens of thousands.
"If we doubled the number of butlers, they wouldn't be without work," said Charles MacPherson, vice-chairman of the International Guild of Professional Butlers. Robert Watson, managing director of the Guild of Professional English Butlers, agreed. "What they mostly want in the Hamptons and elsewhere is an English butler," he said. "It's that very English calmness in the face of adversity."
The boom in demand for butlers - female and male - has been building over the past decade and is attributed to the increase in the number of dotcom millionaires.
A butler - or household manager, as they are increasingly known in the United States - can expect a salary in Britain of about £30,000, although some in America are getting up to £250,000. The highest paid is reputed to earn £1.5 million - with board and lodging thrown in, of course.
There are estimated to be up to 5,000 butlers in Britain, and Mr Watson said there remained a reluctance among people to choose it as a career.
Oh, God, now there’s a butler shortage.
What’s next? A bidet shortage?
I’ve found my calling...
That no longer obtains: men who a century ago would have become butlers are now barristers and money managers.
I wonder what Theresa pays John Kerry’s man.
Like anything else just pay more. Heck, list the starting pay and other benefits, I can pour Crown Royal with the best of them....
LOL
"Sir, I've had my fill of sweaty purple spandex."
Surely there have to be Mexicans who’ll do the “jobs that Englishmen won’t do”.
Ehhh, I dunno - methinks they might generally lack the required “calmness in the face of adversity”...
Clearly more children have to be named Jeeves if this crisis is to be averted.
Not to mention the British accent...
Find A Need And Fill It!
Competition is great!
Fewer butlers, higher wages!
I love Capitalism!
“although some in America are getting up to £250,000”
At that price I’ll put on a black tie and kiss some ass.
Shoot, for 500K US and free room and board, I could pour coffee and fake an English accent.
/sarc
Um, that's $3,000,000 per year.
(How many servants does the butler have?)
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