Commonsense Etiquette: A Guide to Gracious, Simple Manners for the Twenty-First Century - Softcover

Lawrence, Elizabeth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312242948 ISBN 13: 9780312242947

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, 1999

Synopsis

Dear Reader,

For the past forty years I've had the great pleasure of teaching schoolchildren, college students, businesspeople, brides- and grooms-to-be, and other Americans the simple joy of behaving with courtesy and style.

With my sixteenth book I'm thrilled to be sharing with you a complete handbook for old-fashioned and effortless etiquette for the twenty-first century.

Never have thoughtfulness and care been more important in our lives-- from shared conversations at the family dinner table to two-line E-mails written in haste. I hope this book helps bring the joys of graciousness, kindness, and civility to your home and your life.

Yours fondly,
Marjabelle Young Stewart

About this title

Review:

Do you have a clue when it comes to the art of civility? Despite appearances to the contrary (road rage, airport rage, the age of litigation), Marjabelle Young Stewart believes, civility is as important now as it ever was--perhaps more so, as diverse groups with disparate expectations attempt to socialize and do business without smearing egg all over their collective faces, figuratively or literally. For all their steps forward in electronics and medicine, today's generation could do with a refresher course when it comes to table manners, office etiquette, and the polite giving and receiving of gifts, and Stewart, dubbed the Queen of Courtesy by Newsweek, is the woman for the job.

She explains the mechanics of a good conversation, commends the ritual of introductions, and discusses the prickly business of how to address one's parents-in-law. She takes on formal invitations, the social kiss, call waiting, and cellular phones, and delves into the niceties of which fork or spoon to use, as well as when, how, and why. Stewart compares the American and continental methods of eating, instructs how to eat fruit, pasta, mussels, and French fries politely (for which she advises a fork and knife in formal situations, but that seems a bit much for fries). Stewart's not, however, out to dictate rules for the sake of controlling your life. As she says, "Manners should never be a source of worry. On the contrary, knowing how to go about the business of eating and entertaining properly can provide a sense of confidence--for children and adults alike--that makes life easier."

In a similar vein, Stewart treats the dos and don'ts of weddings and thank-you notes, dining out and rites of passage, obituaries and emoticons. And she saves the best for last: "Fifteen Ways to Make the World a More Civilized Place," including "Resist the temptation to react when presented with bad behavior," and "Be aware that your actions--good and bad--affect those around you." Stewart's returns etiquette to its proper place in our society. --Stephanie Gold

About the Author:

Marjabelle Young Stewart's previous books include The New Etiquette, Executive Etiquette in the New Workplace, and Your Complete Wedding Planner. She appears regularly in national magazines and newspapers around the country, offering advice on gracious gift giving, dining etiquette, office and family matters, and other aspects of modern life. She lives in Kewanee, Illinois.

Elizabeth Lawrence is the author of four previous books on entertaining and style.

About this edition

• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0312242948
• ISBN 13: 9780312242947
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272