Jasmyn
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Joined: 2/6/2004
From: New Zealand
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At your service, madam
SATURDAY , 04 DECEMBER 2004
Waikato Times
In today's busy world, more and more people are employing nannies, cleaners, gardeners and, now, butlers. Lester Thorley talks to some hired hands who help make Hamilton's households run smoothly.
SITTING with a cigarette and a mug of coffee in his lounge armchair, Donald Blackmore's polo shirt, shin-length shorts and running shoes don't immediately conjure up small-screen images of household servants in Upstairs Downstairs.
"No one would guess in 100 years what I do for a job."
But when the Melville 65-year-old dons his white jacket, bow tie and black trousers, and holds a drinks tray in the correct manner, his demeanor is Hudson the manservant personified.
The semi-retired Riverlea Theatre stalwart says: "I have my butler's voice too. I suppose it's an acting thing".
In many ways, Blackmore is a throwback to a bygone era. He insists on calling his employer "madam", much to her surprise.
Blackmore is third-generation "in-service", as he prefers to call it. During his years as a valet – effectively a butler – in a top Auckland hotel, he served some of the most famous and powerful people in the world.
He jokes that being married with five children means he's always been something of a live-in butler.
Blackmore works part-time at a Te Awamutu dry cleaners, but is proud to be carrying on the family tradition.
"Mother and grandmother would be absolutely chuffed."
His grandparents were household staff of 1870s premier Sir Julius Vogel, and his mother was a housekeeper for Sir Francis Bell, a Wellington mayor and prime minister briefly in 1925.
The Hamilton advertisement for a butler which Blackmore successfully answered last month is not a common sight.
"I think a lot of people think it's just a joke thing," says Blackmore, who usually works several nights a week during his employers' dinner parties.
In his view someone employing a butler reflects today's busier households, not rampant affluence.
Recent labour research shows working weeks are lengthening, squeezing leisure and family time. Economic pressure means both parents often have to work.
Some people earn enough to pay others to do chores, while they enjoy their reduced leisure hours. Others simply don't have enough time.
It's not quite a return to the days of dependent life-long household servants, but many Waikato people employ gardeners, lawnmowers, nannies, and domestic cleaners. And now, part-time butlers.
THE SECRET to the butler's art is simple, Blackmore says.
"I was always taught you needed three things to be a butler. Discretion, discretion and discretion."
A childhood stint living with an uncle from a military background, and being taught etiquette like always walking on the street-side of a woman by his mother, also helped.
"I grew up in an era where you only spoke when you were spoken to."
He doesn't feel belittled: "I find it a privilege to serve others. If Madam asks, I don't mind doing it."
Blackmore learned how to buttle from the Regent Hotel's top Sydney valet at the chain's Auckland hotel.
During his stint there he looked after members of the royal household during a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Auckland and the Sultan of Brunei, once put singer Celine Dion's undies through the wash, and was joined for a quiet ciggy in the basement by members of The Rolling Stones.
"I can tell you Keith (Richards) likes black coffee with six teaspoons of sugar, and he likes a smoke."
As for the Sultan: "He was one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, we used first names and he was really down to earth."
There is no excuse for staff to be treated rudely, he says, and remembers ordering a go-slow for one of the world's richest heiresses when she shouted expletives down the phone at him.
He says butlers develop a sixth sense: "You must know what Madam's requirements are. You casually look around without appearing to look around."
An empty wine glass to top up here, a coat that needs to be taken there.
"I'm the waiter, cum wine steward, cum kitchen hand, cum skivvy."
Once everything is cleared away, the dishes in the dishwasher, the kitchen tidy, Blackmore can go home.
As chauffeur, he wears a dark suit, tie and is trying to find an appropriate hat. His employers book him for the pick-up time required, he drives their car, and awaits their cellphone call when they are ready to go home.
"It comes back to the trust thing. Madam knows she's going to be delivered and get home safely."
Jasmyn
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Oh to have one of these ;) - 
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