Many people think of butlers as a relic of the past – a type of person employed by Victorian-era aristocracy. While having a butler may not be as common as it used to be in Britain, the profession is making a resurgence in emerging economies. According to the BBC, a large number or British-trained butlers are working for affluent employers in Dubai.
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city known for its modern architecture and innovative construction projects. So why would residents of a city so forward thinking want to employ people whose profession dates back centuries? Sara Vestin Rahmani, director of a butler training school, suggested to the BBC that affluent residents of Dubai may be fascinated by the great traditions of the British including etiquette and the structuring of domestic staff.
William Hanson, an etiquette teacher and butler trainer, told the source that he thought that the people of Dubai truly understand the importance of a well-trained butler. He did note, however, that the job description has changed a bit since the nineteenth century.
"Now the job's not just about decanting the wine for dinner and cleaning the silver," Hanson told the media outlet. "It's about running schedules, organizing and motivating a team, managing multiple properties and caring for truly extraordinary precious possessions. It's more demanding and interesting and can take people all around the world."
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