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.
Geez, I’m in the service field. Maybe I should consider another career change....
Where do I apply?
After 30 years as a software engineer I can think of worse ways to retire then to do what I normally do- work around the house maintaining it- and getting paid for it.
Especially in a fancy mansion.
22 replies, and nobody has thought to blame Bush!
If you can fake an upper class British accent, you have it beat.
“Okay, how about this. I get hit by a car, the driver doesn’t have insurance, and the judge sentences him to be my butler!”
In spite of the shortage, I had to let my butler go last week.
He just wouldn’t stay out of my Cheez-Its.
My sister knows a couple who work for a guy with a LOT of Microsoft money - I supposed I shouldn’t give the name. The couple were told they could have any house they wanted built on his property and it was their’s to live in. The woman oversees the house maintenance and makes sandwiches for the owner because that is apparently all he wants to eat. The husband oversees the exterior maintenance.
Not bad..eh?
There’s nothing like a good, competent butler.
But the author is entirely wrong to say that a woman can be a butler. A woman can be a housekeeper, which is also a highly valued position in the household.
Nothing new about this, however. I can remember when I was growing up that people used to complain constantly about the “servant problem.” And you will notice that in Woodhouse’s novels a good butler is worth his weight in gold. People are constantly trying to hire them away.
And then there’s the chef, Antoine. . . .
Dang, you're old! Or rich! (Not that there's anything wrong with that ...)
They would not have shortage if they paid more.
I think I’ve found my retirement career! (Have to tell my parents that I’ll finally put the management degree to work :-).
Does my local community college offer a course in “Manners and Mores of the New Rich”?
May I bring you your slippuhs, suh?
How dat?
This is good news as it means that the "caste system" is dead and even those from lowly backgrounds can become masters of the universe themselves instead of having to settle for some domestic job.
But for 250 large a year, I'll consider a change of career and will happily learn how to answer doors in an intimidating (yet refined) manner and how to do place settings and all that.
This is good news as it means that the "caste system" is dead and even those from lowly backgrounds can become masters of the universe themselves instead of having to settle for some domestic job.
But for 250 large a year, I'll consider a change of career and will happily learn how to answer doors in an intimidating (yet refined) manner and how to do place settings and all that.
This is good news as it means that the "caste system" is dead and even those from lowly backgrounds can become masters of the universe themselves instead of having to settle for some domestic job.
But for 250 large a year, I'll consider a change of career and will happily learn how to answer doors in an intimidating (yet refined) manner and how to do place settings and all that.
Now you only hear that sort of whining coming out of DC.
The English should do what our George Bush royal family does. Get Mexican butlers and servants
LOL
I think most wives and mothers could easily adapt. We could spend our days being Martha Stewart but with someone else’s money.
Nobody wants a butler who continually repeats himself. ;)
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