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SCMP Reporter

How did you become a butler?

I majored in hotel management at college and worked in a five-star-rated hotel when I graduated in 1996. After I joined the Chateau Regency, I was sent to the International Butler Academy in Holland, where I was trained in etiquette, staff management, first aid and valet skills. In addition, I learned about tobacco, gun maintenance, auctions and even ikebana [flower arranging].

I also learned about the spirit of a butler - which is the journey to perfection, and the equality and mutual respect between a butler and the people he serves. To serve, to us, means building a new relationship between people. It is not only about a service formula but is something heartfelt.

What is your day-to-day job like?

Unlike the traditional British-style butler, a modern butler usually oversees more than one residence. The seven apartment blocks, with around 250 households in total, are divided into three groups.

I have another five butlers working with me. Two of us take care of each group, with other staff, including assistant butlers, housekeepers, gardeners, engineers, working with the butlers. Altogether there are 150 members of staff.

My job is more like a combination of a modern chief property manager and an all-purpose household butler.  Besides the routine duties on the menu, we get 'special service appointments' from clients from time to time, for which we provide services according to their specific requirements.

Can you tell us a bit more about the special service appointments?

It is more like what a traditional butler does, like booking hotels, theatre seats and restaurants. We organise parties and dinners, schedule and oversee household maintenance and classify faxes.  Many people hold this mistaken stereotype about butler that we are mere domestic servants. Actually our job involves a great deal of management rather than specific tasks such as lining up table placements, or cleaning shoes. Occasionally, we do serve food and drinks personally.

What personality does it take to be a Jeeves?

First, a butler should keep a very placid and balanced heart. He should be able to do things unhurriedly. Secondly, he should have a natural affinity with most people - not just be to a few people's liking - because he has to represent the client in receiving all kinds of guests and friends. He should be flexible and able to respond wittily to an emergency. Last but not least, stamina is a must.  We have to be fairly energetic to work through a possible long day.

How are you paid?

I get a fixed salary from the property company. In addition, I get paid between 150 to 200 yuan per hour for the one-to-one special appointments, which also go through the company. It is not that high compared to my counterparts in western countries but generally speaking my payment is not bad. At least it does not make me feel overwhelmed or undermine my confidence around the rich and powerful people I serve. Butlers have to be paid at a certain level so that we can be exposed to upper-class life, keep abreast of trends, fashion and other lifestyle information.

Who are your customers? Have you met any picky clients?

Most of them are residents of the Chateau Regency, including property owners and tenants. Half of them are Chinese and half  foreigners.

It is the same case as in any other country: those who can afford to hire a butler are usually royalty, political leaders, successful businessmen, and celebrities.

It is important for butlers to maintain a composed attitude towards different people who have different lifestyles.

What do you think of China's nouveaux riches?

I do not think people's quality is absolutely related to the speed at which their fortune grows, although Chinese have a saying that only a rich family that survives three generations can be called rich. If I have to point out some differences, some  of the nouveau riche tend to have a lower sense of security because they do not have the same steady and scrupulously selected social circle as  western counterparts.

How promising is the career of a butler?

Butlering in today's world is no longer limited to households. Some hotels provide butlers to VIP floors as well. The Guild of Professional English Butlers is promoting the idea of butlers in office buildings too - for instance, the VIP room of a security company.

A handful of luxury properties in Beijing are also promoting concepts such as 'French Butler', or 'English-style Butler'. I have not seen them so cannot comment there.

But butlering is developing in today's Beijing because the demand will keep growing.



The very model of a modern Chinese manservant (and manager)