Forum Topic

How does one cope when the Butler has Boxing Day off?

Beaumont has been helping me for some six months now and he is so helpful.He said that traditionally his profession always had the day off on Boxing Day.I hadn't realised that.How will many Chiswickians cope today...having to understand how kitchen appliances work and so forth.I gather pensioners alone can avail themselves to a firm called Deliveroo or something. I might have to try them!

Jim Lawes ● 1364d25 Comments

Ha ha !!!

Helen Bamberger ● 1364d

Jim , this may come as a bit of a blow. You may want to sit down.  You see,  your cook or housekeeper is also on a break.  Your butler just brings the food - at most,  unless it's the simplest of snacks like Jacobs and blue cheese he can prepare when cook is out the kitchen,  he just goes into the kitchen to pick it up and brings it to you. I know , I know ,  all will be well again tomorrow.

Andrew Craig ● 1364d

Oh yes, time for a few of the most simple indulgences.  Apart from the cheese and biscuits there is the toasted bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon with a turn of black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Just for special occasions.

Philippa Bond ● 1364d

Sack the idle so-and-so.

Susan Kelly ● 1364d

I think you may be right Susan.I've managed to find where Beaumont has been hiding that elegant bottle of Port I was presented with the other day.. (you know at the Club).It tastes glorious..but hey it's half empty and I've only had one swig! The blighter must be helping him self.Some of these Staff are so dodgy. Which Agency do you use Susan?

Jim Lawes ● 1364d

No agency, Jim, just a family that's slaved for mine for generations and been glad of it.

Susan Kelly ● 1363d

I just rely on the assistant butler - it's good practice for her and she isn't yet entitled to an annual day off.

James Tickell ● 1361d

Must say I’m very impressed by your feminist credentials, James, when you refer to the lady as Assistant Butler rather than plain ‘maid’ or ‘Butless’ as is more the norm among less enlightened members of the gentry class.  Must maintain standards, what?

Alastair Banton ● 1361d

I try to move with the times Alaistair. Indeed, one of the kitchen maids is a chap.

James Tickell ● 1361d

I'm fraught.Beaumont seems to have run off with Alice, my Lady of the Bedchamber. How can that be?The Agency is closed till after the New Year. I'm stuck andneed inspiration. I hear there's a place called Sainsburys.

Jim Lawes ● 1361d

Sainsbury' s indeed exists, but they fail to provide anything in the way of proper service, and one can only despair as one's newspaper is delivered creased.

Vivienne Cox ● 1361d

Thanks for the tip about Sainsburys Vivienne.I'm pleased that we no longer have to iron our old banknotes..as the current springy ones don't seem to crumble.Makes life easier!Damn nuisance that the pavement shoe cleaners are no longer on the High Road. I used to love that service.

Jim Lawes ● 1361d

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Jim Lawes ● 1360d

Gosh James, you are the very epitome of modern times with your kitchen maid chap!  I trust he can be relied upon to provide all the, you know, usual services?

Alastair Banton ● 1360d

Don't ever look down on shoeshine boys Jim.There was such a boy born into extreme poverty from Brazil who changed football and singularly termed the phrase The Beautiful Game.His name was Pele.

Denis I. Fox ● 1360d

Without that Beaumont..I'll have to go to Trumpers myself to get their Sandalwood aftershave whilst the Sales are on.Such a nuisance travelling to Jermyn Street.Hang on! Churchills on the High Road sell it. But isn't Sandelwood a bit out of fashion these days?

Jim Lawes ● 1360d

You could try Bay Rum instead.

Richard Greenhough ● 1360d

When the butler went orff, the head house parlour maid always tried her best.

Stewart Jones ● 1360d

Yes Alastair, he's very obliging, though they tells me now they prefers 'they/their' to 'he/his'. Fair enough, though I worry about the grammar.

James Tickell ● 1360d

Thanks for the suggestion Richard.BAY RUM?  Sounds interesting.I'Il have to get someone to phone Truefitts for me.

Jim Lawes ● 1359d

This happiness business is all too much.When will normality return?

Jim Lawes ● 1359d

Like when any day of the week ends with a 'y' perhaps?

Brian Coyle ● 1358d

When the 'woke' brigade gets kicked into the long, long grass, or back to America.

Brian Coyle ● 1358d

After all that build up and rushing around during December..it was wonderful to have..what I call FLOP DAYS.Trouble was... when you live on your own ...you sometimes can't work out what day it is! Several times I had to view the dates on this Forum.One day I must have fallen asleep. I woke up saw that the bedside clock said 7 and thought I'd get up early to do some shoppiñg. After half an hour in the Lounge ... I realised it was 7pm!I gather lots of people experience forgetfulness and odd behaviour when they FLOP so.much.Some people were just busy all the time ... but don't realise how lucky they were/ are!

Jim Lawes ● 1356d

Jim, may I wish you a very happy 2023 - with or without your unreliable butler?  And thank you for this thread - it’s been a very entertaining distraction over the holiday period!

Alastair Banton ● 1356d