Private Butler (管家)
Typical salary: £60,000 to £90,000, or more. "An entry level butler we’ve trained will walk into a salary of £35,000, while a very experienced private butler can earn up to £150,000," says Sara Vestin, director of the British Butler Academy.
The job: A private butler can be called on by his or her employer to do anything from wardrobe management to chauffeuring to pet care. Typical duties include managing other staff, serving at every meal, running errands, looking after guests, booking restaurants, house security, housekeeping, cooking and anything else the household needs. But most of all, it’s personal service, tailored to the very wealthy individual the butler works for.
Qualifications: No special qualifications are required, but it’s advisable to do a course at a training college such as Vestin’s British Butler Academy or the British Butler Institute. "Recruitment consultants and VIP clients come to our mansion to scout out the good students." Vestin says.
To succeed as a butler, you need…a ‘service mind’, says Vestin. You must have the mindset of someone who genuinely thrives on looking after others. "You cannot do the job without this, even if you were an amazing actor. Some people have it and some don’t." Also, she says, it’s essential to have an eye for detail, a steady hand and the ability to deal with all sorts of people.
Worst thing about the job: Long hours and an unpredictable work schedule mean it’s difficult to have a family life. Butlers also suffer from isolation and cultural differences with their employer and they may be obliged to work for people who aren’t always nice.
【小题1】Which of the following is true of a butler?| A．A course at a training college is a must in order to get the job. |
| B．A butler should be able to tailor his service to his clients. |
| C．Male butlers are favored over female ones. |
| D．There is no ceiling of salary. |
| A．is reminded of. |
| B．is capable of. |
| C．is convinced of. |
| D．is in favour of. |
| A．Cultural misunderstanding may arise. |
| B．The job may make one’s family life difficult. |
| C．Sometimes they have to work for impolite clients. |
| D．They may enjoy the company of his or her clients. |
