It is sometimes said that butlers only truly exist in England. Other countries, whatever title is actually used, have only manservants. I tend to believe this is true. Continentals are unable to be butlers because they are as a breed incapable of the emotional restraint which only the English race are capable of. Continentals—and by and large the Celts, as you will no doubt agree—are as a rule unable to control themselves in moments of a strong emotion, and are thus unable to maintain a professional demeanour other than in the least challenging of situations. If I may return to my earlier metaphor—you will excuse my putting it so coarsely—they are like a man who will, at the slightest provocation, tear off his suit and his shirt and run about screaming. In a word, “dignity” is beyond such persons. We English have an important advantage over foreigners in this respect and it is for this reason that when you think of a great butler, he is bound, almost by definition, to be an Englishman.
Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day
Chief Inspector Japp. After staying with you for a whole week, Poirot, the least I…
The human race is divided into beings animate and beings inanimate. Up to this very…
One potential remedy for human stupidity is a dose of humility. National, religious and cultural…
A must see for anyone who wants to know how science and public opinion is…
In Britain you never have to explain why you drink. You do have to explain…
La destinée des nations dépend de la manière dont elles se nourrissent (The fate of…