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Product Description
Product Description
o Debrett's first book defining modern manners in over a decade o A comprehensive review of traditional codes of conduct o Humorous and refreshing - an insight into modern dilemmas o Features 24 bespoke illustrations of each alphabetical letter o An ideal gift purchase for men, women, young and old alike From asparagus to zebra crossings, via BlackBerry, formal dinners, political correctness and sneezing, this is an indispensable and comprehensive guide to contemporary conduct, from Debrett's, Britain's leading experts on manners and etiquette.
From the Publisher
This is a quirky, comprehensive A-Z of modern living, including a wide range of topics such as: apologising, babies, chivalry, drunkenness, eavesdropping, funerals, guests, honesty, invitations, jargon, kissing, laughing, mobiles, nannies, office parties, proposals, queuing, restaurants, swearing, tipping, underwear, vulgarity, wine, xenophobia, yawning, zips...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book would provide anyone with the knowledge to deal with any unusual situation that may arise unexpectedly and give the confidence to carry it off without embarassment.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was disappointed when I looked through this book as I had really wanted a clear, simple guide to etiquette and manners. However, this is a quickly-produced dip-in dip-out novelty book rather than a guide. The A-Z format is obviously not geared to practical usage - for example, items relating to house guests are split up under entries like 'guests' 'dinner parties' 'hosts and hostesses' rather than being grouped together. The main problem with the book, though, is that it is written in a chatty discursive style, rather than actually explaining and instructing. In many cases the author presupposes that you know 'how to behave' and just writes a light-hearted comment. For example, under introductions the book states 'remember the hierarchy: men should be introduced to women ... Introduce individuals to the group' instead of simply explaining how to go about it. (I'm also unsure about the book's advice to say 'Good to meet you' as most sources will tell you that 'How do you do' is preferable).
The rambling introduction to each entry is annoying if you're trying to get at some real advice, and is plainly just there to pad out the book: "All too often smiling provokes cynicism" "You may be unlucky enough to find a slug in your lettuce". If you read all the way through from A-Z you will pick up some helpful hints, but it is frustrating when all you want is some simple information on etiquette. It may not be fashionable to prescribe strict protocol, but if you want to move with confidence in many spheres, it would be good to simply be told the old-fashioned rules and left to apply them as you see fit.
I obviously chose the wrong book for what I wanted (there didn't seem to be a great deal of choice). As a gift, a light-hearted read or a chatty commentary on modern manners, this would be fine. If you want clear, comprehensive guidance, look a bit further.
The rambling introduction to each entry is annoying if you're trying to get at some real advice, and is plainly just there to pad out the book: "All too often smiling provokes cynicism" "You may be unlucky enough to find a slug in your lettuce". If you read all the way through from A-Z you will pick up some helpful hints, but it is frustrating when all you want is some simple information on etiquette. It may not be fashionable to prescribe strict protocol, but if you want to move with confidence in many spheres, it would be good to simply be told the old-fashioned rules and left to apply them as you see fit.
I obviously chose the wrong book for what I wanted (there didn't seem to be a great deal of choice). As a gift, a light-hearted read or a chatty commentary on modern manners, this would be fine. If you want clear, comprehensive guidance, look a bit further.
36 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was looking for the definitive guide to modern manners when I ordered this book. Unfortunately, it's rather more like an expensive and cumbersome ''Bluffer's Guide to..." (In fact, The Bluffer's Guide to British Class might well serve you better.)
There are a few tips that are both true and not obvious, which, if you didn't know them before, are well worth noting. But they are buried amid a large amount of quite random advice which isn't really about manners at all. There are much better books on lifestyle, on dress and on how to eat with chopsticks. What would have been more useful would have been the correct forms of address when greeting the host at a Chinese or Japanese meal. This kind of detail, though, isn't there.
As much fun as browsing this book is, it fails in its fundamental purpose of getting you up to speed with polite life in the global, digital age.
There are a few tips that are both true and not obvious, which, if you didn't know them before, are well worth noting. But they are buried amid a large amount of quite random advice which isn't really about manners at all. There are much better books on lifestyle, on dress and on how to eat with chopsticks. What would have been more useful would have been the correct forms of address when greeting the host at a Chinese or Japanese meal. This kind of detail, though, isn't there.
As much fun as browsing this book is, it fails in its fundamental purpose of getting you up to speed with polite life in the global, digital age.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Get the Earlier Version
If you want what you thought was going to be in this book, you need to get 'Debrett's Etiquette and Modern Manners' edited by Elsie Burch Donald, also for sale at Amazon, 2nd hand. Read more
Published 4 months ago by AD
An interesting read
Bought this as a fun gift for my daughter - she's at Oxford University and enjoys their formal dinners, it turned out to be an interesting read and shows how modern manners differ... Read more
Published 22 months ago by H.H.
most enlightening
fast quick service - the book is a fascinating read - manners should be brought into the school curriculum and most definitely should start at home
Published 23 months ago by Deborah Barth
Purchase of modern manners
Debrett's A-Z of Modern Manners
Easy to find, purchase and fun to read.
Easy to find, purchase and fun to read.
Published on 23 April 2009 by Ms. J. Kennedy
More to it than meets the eye...
This is a really beautiful book. I was surprised by how in depth and varied all the topics are - it even includes social networking. A great gift book - perfect for Christmas.
Published on 16 Sep 2008 by Julie
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