I love being a butler - Jamaican who serves Japanese ambassador encourages youth to join profession
Published:Monday | October 22, 2018 | 12:00 AMJason Cross/Gleaner Writer
Jamaicans who are passionate about earning good money by becoming butlers for diplomats and other important individuals are being encouraged by Christopher Jones, an accomplished player in that industry locally, to hold on to their dream.
Jones is currently the butler for Japanese ambassador to Jamaica, Hiromasa Yamazaki, and has served two of Yamazaki's predecessors.
Speaking to The Gleaner last Friday at the ambassador's residence, Jones, who is a member of the Federation of International Butlers, hinted that a lot of perks come with the profession.
"I have been doing this close to 10 years and this job means a lot to me. It is out of this world and is a job I love very much. As a butler, some people will look at it as some kind of slavery or mediocre job, but you get to serve all the who's whos and work on missions with diplomats. It feels, to me, like a hobby. I have gone through three ambassadors, with three different personalities. I am hoping more Jamaican young men and women learn the profession because it is an excellent profession," he said.
Jones has seen much glory throughout his career, including being selected best butler of the Caribbean a few years ago.
One of his main interests is to spread his knowledge about the profession so that others can get a chance to rake in a decent monthly salary.
US$2K PER MONTH SALARY
"I will not be around forever, so I think I should encourage other persons to fill the gap. Persons do ask where they can train to be a butler. I did my training in the United Kingdom. I have done the Guild of Professional English Butlers. I have studied at various butler schools and I speak to butlers all over the world. I share ideas with them as butlers. I am on the board of the Federation of International Butlers. What that organisation does is train butlers from anywhere around the globe. I am a certified trainer of the federation as well. You can go to their website at www.thefederationofbutlers.com," Jones shared.
He said also that becoming a butler presents a great opportunity for persons who aspire to travel overseas, a chance to do so.
"A professional and certified butler can earn roughly US$2,000 per month. Because it is not really a big profession in Jamaica, it is not recognised much. Being a part of the federation, I am trying to instill in persons out here that a butler can earn good money in Jamaica, but you can get paid better overseas. However, people still use butlers here in Jamaica. Most diplomats use butlers," noted the professional.