Peggy Post

Not the dinosaur you'd think, Peggy Post’s “Emily Post’s Etiquette“, specifically the introduction - A Note to Readers and Part One - Everyday Etiquette are a must read. No - I’m really not suggesting you need to read and follow 847 pages of detailed advice on manners, but in a time where an ‘everything goes’ attitude combined with the stultification of political correctness has led us to a point where what we say and do is governed more by an intolerance for ideological show more diversity than by kindness and common sense - the book provides a roadmap back to civility. From the introduction:

"Etiquette must be active. It isn’t enough to now what to do. Courtesy matters only when it is translated into everyday behavior - not just put on for show when it’s convenient. The rewards of an active commitment to everyday courtesy are myriad, though not often tangible. There are also important personal rewards that some people may not even be aware of, including the self-confidence that comes from knowing what to do in new or difficult situations; a positive reputation with others; and personal relationships that are more congenial, even in times of stress, because the people involved treat one another with respect.” show less

Most of the advice in this book could be considered plain old common sense. Many of the answers are ways to approach people politely and ask them to stop doing whatever heinous thing they are doing without getting punched in the face (hopefully). However, I now know that "Napkins, not sleeves or hands, are for wiping mouths." lol

I suppose it's a bit late for me to finally learn the dos and don'ts of polite society, but it was fun learning what I've been doing right, less fun learning what I've been doing wrong. :-) Some of the things included here were a nice surprise. There are gift suggestions, for example, for various occasions. It certainly took me a long time to get through this. I haven't much time for actual print books, and the irrelevant sections were a bit tedious (attending a grand ball, for example), but show more you never know when something might become relevant that you don't think is. show less

This monster is 900 pages of everything you need to know from the late 19th C. to 2004, the year it was published. In fairness, deletions of many former customs no longer part of our modern world have been removed. But unfortunately, how Ms. Post plans to keep up with our ever-increasing rate of change will make the next volume potentially part obsolete before it publishes, for our pace of change has become exponential. No matter, I sometimes am surprised how often I check the book show more concerning handling an old traditional function to see if any technology has altered its usual method. show less