The Butler Did It

He's a staple in classic Hollywood films, is often British, and appears to know how to handle just about anything.

Over the years, the butler-valet has become a familiar, austere
presence in the wealthy households depicted in books and film. Think
Bruce Wayne's trusted Alfred in the old "Batman" shows or Reginald
Jeeves from the P.G. Wodehouse series.

But he is hardly a fictional character, nor is he an icon of a bygone, more civilized era.

Butler-valets are very much in demand and are still present in
the highest echelons of society, performing their daily duties with
discretion and good taste.

The modern butler-valet possesses both traditional and contemporary
skills. He can organize a dinner party, select fine wines and properly
pack a suitcase, and he's also computer-savvy and can manage
sophisticated home electronics.

A good butler-valet will ensure that his boss's home (or
homes) runs smoothly and that the staff performs its duties as
required. Ideally he will learn to anticipate the needs of his boss
without being asked, and thus become an indispensable part of the
household.

At Your Service

Rick Fink has served as a butler-valet for 52 years, in some of England's finest residences.

At age 72, he is passionate about his life's work, describing it
as a privileged position. "It's a lovely life if you just behave
yourself and don't go revealing about your bosses."

Wise words for any profession, particularly one in which the
worker is so intimately involved with the day-to-day lives of his
employers.