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It is hard to maintain a witty equilibrium in the realm of manners in cultured society. If one ignores social conventions, one runs the risk of being perceived as uneducated; however, following all common protocol pegs one as a nerd. With tongue in cheek, Potter reveals how to confound those who like to practice their one-upmanship. nbsp; What's a one-upmanship? An angle of vision, a way of life, a series of gambits, ploys and devices - all of these and more, upmanship is an individual show more talent. Remember one final overwhelming truth: If you're not one up, you're one down. show lessTags
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There is a little game I play where I ask "What Is the National Question?" Crucial to this game is this book by Stephen Potter. It was the beginning of a prosperous period for the author as it opened the way for a series of books which fattened his wallet for at least a decade. It is comedy based on the reinforcement of personal superiority in social relations by appearing to have been more deeply involved on any point than one's companion. It is not kind comedy, but wry smiles do abound. What then is the national question of the English |(not British in general) person? "What is MY status in this circumstance?" of course. Go and sin no more. Of course you may just feel that it is the only true question, in which case I wish you a happy show more life in the real world. show less
as with his other 'manship' books potter hits the nail on the head when it comes to defeating the unrelenting bores of this world. great read
Not much, dated. Would rush back to read others by the author.
How patients can win, and how doctors can stop them.
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Author Information
18+ Works 1,238 Members
Series
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Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1952
- Dedication
- to Andrew and Julian
- First words
- I am speaking to you now* as newly elected President of the Lifemanship Correspondence College.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Whatever phrase you use, the Manglo-Relations Department can always be guaranteed to put temporarily out of joint the firmest and most lasting friendship in the world, and frustrate the un-Lifemanly habit, much in evidence recently between British and Americans, of just plain ordinary liking each other.
Classifications
- Genre
- Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 828.91202 — Literature & rhetoric English & Old English literatures English miscellaneous writings English miscellaneous writings 1900- English miscellaneous writings 1900-1999 English miscellaneous writings 1900-1945 Anecdotes, epigrams, graffiti, jokes, quotations
- LCC
- PN6231 .S3 .P6 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Collections of general literature Wit and humor
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 251
- Popularity
- 128,560
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.66)
- Languages
- English, Swedish
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 17
