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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have had it with my butler and the valet

330 replies

SierraJulietGolf · 03/11/2021 23:43

I had a small soirée for 20 friends this morning. My guests included a smattering of viscounts (not the chocolate biscuit), an award winning poet, 3 MPs and our Lord Mayor. The butler (who is nearing the end of his probationary period) mixed up all the guests coats meaning that the 5‘ award winning poet got the great coat of the Mayor who is 6‘2 and built like a brick shithouse. The Viscount was given the filthy green fleece belonging to my head gardener. I honestly didn’t know where to put myself I was so embarrassed.

My day had already got off to a terrible start as my useless valet brought the morning post to me at 11am when I know for a fact it was delivered at 9.30 as I heard all 4 of my beagles and the red setter barking their heads off. The tray my post was on was smudged with fingerprints and looked a total mess. He didn’t even seem to think there was a problem when I told him all this was unacceptable and he needed to shape up smartish.

IABU to give them both a written warning? I feel so bloody stressed out with the pair of idiots. The head gardener is on a final warning after pruning a rose bush while it was in full bloom. What the hell is wrong with people?

OP posts:
Original poster
SierraJulietGolf · 04/11/2021 00:50

Im going to retire to my bed now. Im hoping it’s been turned down properly. Thank you for the suggestions and support at this difficult time.

OP posts:
Pinkbonbon · 04/11/2021 00:51

Back in my day there was a war on, so the butler had to do the valet work too would you belive. But he always did spiffing work, right up until he was 86 years old and he mixed up Mozart and Bach at our grand dinner one evening. And then we had to have him shot of course. Sometimes having them out of their misery is the kindest thing we can do for them. But it really is a crying shame.

oviraptor21 · 04/11/2021 00:55

YABVU. It's an Irish Setter, not a red setter.

Redsquirrel5 · 04/11/2021 00:59

The Amazon man just left his van in the middle of the road when he took a large parcel to the neighbours and I couldn’t get past on my hunter as the road is one lane.
You are right no thought for others. Pour yourself a snifter of gin and you will be alright.

TrevorFountain · 04/11/2021 01:00

A Lord Mayor? Good grief. Ours was caught running sex parties in an avenue.

LuluJakey1 · 04/11/2021 01:02

Our butler didn't make sure the newspaper was ironed this morning and my ladies maid put out an unsuitable day dress for me. Then Nanny brought the children in to see us very late and we barely had time for one drink before dinner. I am finding it all rather tiresome.
However, one just has to accept that since the pandemic it is much harder to find the right staff.

WakeEatSleepRepeat · 04/11/2021 01:08

Good Lord! Such dreadful service. It's Off with their heads!!

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 04/11/2021 01:09

I hope your pillows were properly arranged, I fired my last maid over putting mine in the wrong order.

I must mention that I find your dogs untamed reaction unbecoming.
One simply does not tolerate such rambunctious behavior.
The last thing you want is some idle gossip that you are not even able to keep your animals under control!

My dog trainer is a world class chap and if you so desire I would gladly arrange a meeting, you would do well to take his advice.

I shall return to my bed chamber momentarily, I need to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for my duel at the crack of dawn.

BookFiend4Life · 04/11/2021 01:18

Another vote for a house manager/housekeeper, you shouldn't have to dirty your hands with this.

starfishmummy · 04/11/2021 01:19

Well I do think you are partially over reacting as I think you need to read up on the jobs each servant is responsible for.

A valet is a personal servant whose job it is to look after your clothing, run your bath and help you dress. Some may also be responsible for shaving you and squeezing your toothpaste.

It is not the Valet's job to bring the post. That should be left to the Butler or at a pinch a Footperson.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 04/11/2021 01:20

@oviraptor21

YABVU. It's an Irish Setter, not a red setter.
@oviraptor21

YABVU

OP is clearly referencing her field-bred dog, which would be a Red Setter.
tsk tsk, such blatant ignorance!

Onthedunes · 04/11/2021 01:22

The bastards.

It's like communism gone mad.

Utter shambles.

Snugglybuggly · 04/11/2021 01:27

Perhaps you need a good seeing to?

RobertaFirmino · 04/11/2021 01:32

Oh Sierra dahling, how dreadfully beastly! I simply do not know what has got into servants these days, one would think they would be grateful for employment.

If you ask me, things have been sur la declin since the abolition of the workhouses.

prawntoastie · 04/11/2021 01:40

Shut up

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 04/11/2021 02:12

@prawntoastie

Shut up
@prawntoastie

such dreadfully common manners!
might you be the butler or the valet?

480Widdio · 04/11/2021 02:15

What a bloody stupid thread,pathetic.

CanIPleaseHaveOne · 04/11/2021 02:17

@SierraJulietGolf

I had a small soirée for 20 friends this morning. My guests included a smattering of viscounts (not the chocolate biscuit), an award winning poet, 3 MPs and our Lord Mayor. The butler (who is nearing the end of his probationary period) mixed up all the guests coats meaning that the 5‘ award winning poet got the great coat of the Mayor who is 6‘2 and built like a brick shithouse. The Viscount was given the filthy green fleece belonging to my head gardener. I honestly didn’t know where to put myself I was so embarrassed.

My day had already got off to a terrible start as my useless valet brought the morning post to me at 11am when I know for a fact it was delivered at 9.30 as I heard all 4 of my beagles and the red setter barking their heads off. The tray my post was on was smudged with fingerprints and looked a total mess. He didn’t even seem to think there was a problem when I told him all this was unacceptable and he needed to shape up smartish.

IABU to give them both a written warning? I feel so bloody stressed out with the pair of idiots. The head gardener is on a final warning after pruning a rose bush while it was in full bloom. What the hell is wrong with people?

It is hard to find good staff nowadays op.
FlickerBeat · 04/11/2021 02:18

@480Widdio

What a bloody stupid thread,pathetic.
Why so vexed?

Was your pillow not fluffed properly?

FlickerBeat · 04/11/2021 02:19

Im going to retire to my bed now. Im hoping it’s been turned down properly

Grin
Changechangychange · 04/11/2021 02:21

@SierraJulietGolf

you need to get a good house manager to manage them. you dont need to do it yourself.

I fired the house manager last month.

Darling, you should get an au pair. They make excellent house managers, and can even project manage major building works whilst you are living overseas! Mine is working on Crossrail as we speak, although I realise that isn’t an entirely positive recommendation.
AnyFucker · 04/11/2021 03:02
Grin
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 04/11/2021 03:11

@480Widdio

What a bloody stupid thread,pathetic.
Your irritation in quite unseemly. When was the last time you danced the blanket hornpipe? You had better ride St. George in the morrow - it will most certainly put you in a more agreeable mood.
vodkaredbullgirl · 04/11/2021 03:25

Well this thread is amusing me while I work a night shift, I keep sniggering to myself.

tomorrowalready · 04/11/2021 03:27

@TrevorFountain

A Lord Mayor? Good grief. Ours was caught running sex parties in an avenue.
What, not in a cul-de-sac?