Etiquette Books

Our national association, located in New York, NY. , has recommended Ms. Long's book to its membership. We find that it has helped improve sales and company image. We highly recommend it.

Never Drink Coffee saved me time and embarrassment personally and professionally. I know that my promotion was due to following Ms. Long's advice.

This book has drawings and is easy to read. I keep it in my briefcase for reference. Follow Ms. Long's advice and get ahead personally and professionally. Even my boyfriend follows her advice....great improvement for him. Thank you Amazon for having her book.

Our national association was looking for a book to help employees of our members improve their manners. Ms Long's book fits our needs perfectly. Many of our members provide her book to their sales staff and management. It significantly improves company image and sales.

This book provided helpful tips for any setting from casual to formal. The information is presented in a fun way that makes it easy to remember. No one is too young or too old to learn from this book! One of the very few books I have kept and read again.

I liked this book because it was small in size (5x7) only 78 pages, so it was not overwhelming. It got right to the point, covered every conceivable tip from picnics to high teas and how to handle them. I loved it. Very practical, clear instructions on exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Buy it!

It is important to note that this excellent book by John B. Stuttard, former Chairman and CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers China, carries amazing wisdom within that remains as true today about China as when it was written, all the way back in 2000. The outlined principles and shared experiences about Mainland China are timeless. So readers concerned that books written even a few years ago about China will quickly become out-of-date, in this case absolutely need not worry. In fact, I have read this book several times over the years and it was the single biggest source of inspiration for the book I co-authored about China, Know China Business: The Insider's Guide to Doing Business Successfully in China.

There are a number of case studies shared in this book that are written by CEOs and other top-level executives from some of the most well reputed multinational companies (MNCs) active in China. The level of honestly about their personal China experiences expressed by these top executives is truly astounding and not to be found in any other book I have read about China, while the lessons learned can also be applied immediately by any Western business person operating in the Middle Kingdom, whether they are a novice or old China hand. I am eager to read the more recently written Operation China: From Strategy to Execution by top China executives from consulting competitor McKinsey. However, I would be extremely surprised if the information gleaned from within could match the wisdom shared by Stuttard in The New Silk Road.

Some readers will already be familiar with Tim Clissold's cautionary tale, "Mr. China," about the difficulty of doing business in China. But, "The New Silk Road," offers a very different perspective and different kind of cautionary tale about the "early" days of doing business in China in the mid-to-late Nineties.
Whereas Fishman focuses on his more "entrepreneurial" efforts to revamp factories and set up new industries in the Chinese countryside, Stuttard, as a consultant for PriceWaterhouse, offers a more "professional" perspective. Thus, each chapter is much less autobiographical than Clissold's book, being organized around individual case studies, focusing on the major companies (AIG, Unilever, Bayer, etc.) trying to create a foothold in a hot economy.
Stuttard's overriding theme and question is: Why do senior managers with 20 years of success in the States fail so badly in China?
The answers range from lack of support at the head office, political barriers, confusion about the nature of legal contracts in China, to overblown expectations on the part of the Type A manager.
For a complete perspective on doing business in China, I believe that "The New Silk Road" should be read in tandem with "Mr. China."
With this book, Stuttard has done hopeful managers in China an incredible service.

Almost everyone who knows little about China is enthralled by the opportunity to sell products to all those people who live there. Those with a little more knowledge also get excited about having products made for export from Mainland China. Those with still more knowledge look forward to outsourcing services to China. Beyond that, some speculate that Mandarin Chinese will even become the dominant language of the Internet, and see amazing opportunities to buuild new economy businesses from a Chinese base.

But those speculations all beg the question: What should your company be doing today?

The New Silk Road is the first book I have read that reflects the views of my friends who have 20 plus years of experience doing business there. As such, it counters much of the overoptimism that makes American companies too anxious to expand there, and leads to mistakes that hurt short and long term results.

Any company that is considering its first stake in China, or re-evaluating the stakes it has today, should be sure that those involved read this book.

The key lessons are that company goals must be more carefully considered, partners chosen more thoughtfully, expectations of near-term profits lowered, a focus shifted to developing Chinese management and workers, and a longer-term perspective taken on developing and maintaining relationships. Perhaps the most fundamental point of the book is that things are very uncertain in China. With lots of effort you can reduce the uncertainty, but it will still be higher than in almost any other country. So there will be a premium placed on making decisions that will be good ones regardless of what happens in the Chinese business environment.

When you do your homework, you will find that China has more competition than almost any other country and lots of excess capacity. A small percentage of the people can afford to buy what you want to sell. Regulation and bureaucracy will keep you out of the best markets for what you want to do. The rules will change tomorrow. Everything will take a long time. Political tensions among your home nation and China will be used against you in business. Sounds challenging, doesn't it?

While China is underdeveloped economically and in entrepreneurial and business skills, the people are well educated and know a lot of things you do not. For one thing, they know the many different markets in China and how to do business there. They have local connections that you need. They also have skills in negotiation and strategy that you may not have. So seek out how to make the best of both worlds, rather than just plan to do business like you do in your home country. In fact, your product will probably have to be customized for the Chinese market.

Mr. Stuttard does an excellent job in his essay, "Reflections on China at the End of the Second Millennium," of summarizing the lessons from the case histories. Be sure to reread this essay after you finish the book. It will help put the case histories in perspective for you.

He has done well in choosing a variety of case histories, that reflect varying levels of success. The book is especially lucky to have the perspectives of comapnies with a great deal of Chinese experience like American International Group, John Swire, United Technologies, and Shell. In each case, either the company's CEO or the operating head in China is the person interviewed.

The people who run the business in China for you will be very vulnerable. When unpredictable shifts cause results to fall, their heads will be on the chopping block in some companies. That's not a good idea, because the set-backs will often not be due to any fault of their own.

You will also get helpful hints on the best ways to recruit talent, conduct training, and integrate expatriates.

After you have finished reading and enjoying this valuable book, I suggest that also consider where else the lessons of this book apply. I suspect that your success in many other parts of the world would be enhanced if you employed these lessons there, as well. Also, how else can you overcome communications stalls among your various operations and with your various stakeholders?

Focus on what needs to be done now to develop your short and long term potential!

China has made such enormous strides towards liberalising its economy over the past decade that it is now the world's second largest recipient of foreign investment after the United States. Yet, in some very important ways, Chinese customs, practices, and values remain alien to Western business thinking and practice as they ever were. As many a hapless expatriate manager has discovered to their cost, gaining a foothold in the vast Chinese market can be an uphill battle on a slippery slope of tradition, conflicting objectives, bureaucratic wrangling, ever-shifting laws and regulations, and regional differences. Despite this, as the stories chronicled in this insider's guide to doing business in China demonstrate, it is a battle that can be and is being won.

The New Silk Road is based on extensive interviews conducted by the author with business leaders who have many years of experience with the country. It features a series of lively narratives in which these experts share their insights into and observations of all the important aspects of doing business in China. These are important lessons they've learned about everything from making sense of, and marketing to, the patchwork of striking different regions that make up China, to building trust and negotiating with the Chinese.

This long-awaited insider's view of doing business in China informs you of the pitfalls and tells you what you need to know to succeed in the twenty-first century's great new business frontier.

John B. Stuttard is a Senior Partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers. From 1994 to 1999, he was Chairman and CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers China, operating in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dalian. In his 32-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, he has also worked with the UK Government's Cabinet Office think tank advising on privatisation, and for services to Finnish industry was made a Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

See also my review of: CHINA'S FUTURES Scenarios for the World's Fasting Growing Economy, Ecology, and Society James Ogilvy & Peter Schwartz with Joe Flower Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000 ISBN 0-7879-5200-1

This short book consists of the reflections of John B. Stuttard, former Chairman and CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers China (1994-1999), and summaries of his interviews with 11 top executives working in Western companies in China. Each interview runs 8-10 pages and includes a short bio of the exec along with a quick snapshot of the company's current Sino-standing. The first chapter is Stuttard's and is a fine read that perfectly sets the context and perspective of the 21st century business environment in the country destined to one day overtake America as the world's single largest consumer economy.

Everyone featured in the book, including the author, is an "Old China Hand". Several of the companies are legacy firms, those with pre-WWII and pre-Mao histories who returned after the country turned face forward once again. Others are case study JV's with relatively short, 10-20 year pasts. Each chapter is compelling.

There is some flag waving for the Chinese. These are people who have listened to countless stories at countless banquets about the Chinese fear of chaos and the cultural scar tissue of 150 years (roughly 1790-1940) of shameless behavior by colonial minded Westerners in China. These stories are, after all, Inculcation 101 for any Westerner attempting even superficial commerce or business in the Middle Kingdom. Let's not forget the Chinese did a pretty good job of creating 25+ years of chaos themselves during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. The Japanese were several degrees beyond shameless during World War II. These events are much fresher in the Chinese consciousness than King George III, yet he and Emperor Qianlong still seem to dominate every conversation that explains and/or justifies Chinese desire to top down control all macro and micro aspects of their economy, firms and even routine business transactions.

Still, there is sage wisdom on every page. The book is best when the execs tell what they did in China to be successful. Some of the common themes are the need for good local managers and training programs, a corporate culture of equality with your Chinese partners regardless of equity division, the success of long term strategies versus short term. The deliberate love each exec feels for what they are doing and, in some ways, for China, is clear. The awesome change taking place in this country is also reflected in these interviews. A difference in attitude and tone can be seen between execs in consumer product industries versus sensitive and still restricted ones like oil.

Very little happens fast in China, except the neckbreaking pace at which Western funds are being spent to form infrastructure and modern physical assets. These are the people who have footed a noteworthy part of the bill. They have alot of value to say and this is a rare peak at thinking at their rung of the international corporate business ladder.

Movie Sets 101: The Definitive Survivor's Guide by professional special effects and makeup filmmaker Paul J. Salamoff is the complete and deftly written 240-page guide covering every important detail of the movie making business. Readers will be educated with seasoned and experienced advise drawn from over 70 working professionals, including Wes Craven, Ron Underwood, Tom DeSanto, James Gunn, Daniel Roebuck, Owen Roizman, Andrea Weaver, Kenny Myers, John Medlen and many others. Movie Sets 101 is highly recommended to all readers, whether they be aspiring movie makers, experienced professionals in the film business, or the ordinary movie enthusiast viewing the finished product. Movie Sets 101 it can really teach its readers every perspective of the movie making business and should be a part of any personal, professional, and academic library Film Studies reference collection.

A pragmatic guide to appropriate film set behavior with a complete and concise reference section. Simply put, it's a great tool for anybody starting out in the film production business, required reading.

An outstanding and unique guide to what the numerous players in producing a movie do and should not do with illustrations and antidotes from well known professionals in the field. Fascinating to the film lover, the curious and necessary for those plying the trade.

Why spend thousands of dollars on film school when you can learn everything you need to know for $17.95 on MOVIE SET 101? A certifiably great book, intensely well-researched, full of valuable info for the rookie and veteran alike. A must have!

This is a great book. Even if you already work in film and tv there's something unexpected to be read. It gives you a really good heads up about on-the-set mayhem you could never really anticipate and wouldn't expect until it happens. Invaluable stuff.

This is a good book even though I gave it 4 stars. It has some VERY interesting author stories and the tips are very well to listen to if you didn't grow up in a private school. They will help you to advance in life.

Thourlby delivers a masterful exposition of what can be called the Truth of Human Relationships, whereas other authors may treat the subject simply as schmoozing. What sets Thourlby apart is that his context is respect for the self and respect for others and that a Higher Power has placed you together for a reason. Studying and executing on his program for social success is then simply an acknowledgement of reality. Whereas the prose meanders at times, this book's message is of imperative importance...a must-read.

We have received Passport To Power -- Thank you. We have many self-improvement books in our collection and it is among the best, including those of Dale Carnegie, which we have a particularly high regard for. In fact, Passport to Power appears to us in many ways to be a contemporary and more comprehensive development of Dale Carnegie's approach to life.

Like most people, I was always too embarrassed to ask anyone about all the social etiquettes that are so important in today's workplace and social life.

This book focuses immediately on the situations you'll find yourself in today's business and social world; and explains in simple detail how you may instantly resolve them, before it damages your career. Trust me; you will find this book to be a growing experience, and you will refer back to it.

Serge Barrantes

I must give this book my highest rating. When I started on the corporate ladder several years ago; a colleague recommended this reference book. Well, I can't recount the amount of times I have referred to this book and used it in my professional career. Passport to Power covers the manner in which a young professional should comport him or herself in a myriad of business and personal situations. This is a great guide to achieving success in the modern corporate world. Since reading the book, I attended a seminar conducted by Mr. Thourlby and found him to be as fascinating as his book is informative.

This is an excellent "study guide" before going to the UK. I would definitely recommend it from cover to cover. The author is very thorough to the point of giving lists of American words vs. British words with their respective meanings.

I read through the entire book the first day I got it, and am sure I will reference it again and again before (and probably after) I relocate to London for six months. It's extremely informative, witty and well-written. Many topics are addressed that I hadn't even thought about. It covers do's and don't's for nearly every situation imagineable. The pronunciations and "glossary" sections the end of each chapter are most helpful.

Very funny, easy pick up and put down...and then pick up again. I read parts aloud to my ten year old and she laughed too. Good variety of topics and the website additions helpful. I liked best when she wrote about her American born husband and her children's reactions. The potty talk section really got me laughing.

Whilst scanning my local bookstore's shelves for a quick read I came across "Rules, Britannia" by Toni Summers Hargis. After finishing it (in one sitting) I know not to say "it was 'quite' good", for that would indicate something less than extreme pleasure on my part. "Rules, Britannia" is VERY good, informative and funny and while our language differences deserve credit for the book's inspiration the author has earned all of the rest.

Having grown up on the other side of the pond, Ms. Hargis has spent sixteen years in the States and has a perspective that is most welcome from an American point of view. For those of us who have spent a good amount of time in England, reading "Rules, Britannia" tells one more of the things one doesn't know but probably should. This is not merely a collective glossary of word translations (although at the end of each chapter there is one, relating to that particular chapter) but a look at what every American needs to know upon visiting the mother country. From transportation and food to shopping and partying, the author is a gentle teacher, or perhaps more of a cultural ambassador.

What Toni Hargis does so well is relate things from an English viewpoint. I was surprised to see that the Brits find it very rude if you refer to another person in your midst as "he" or "she", or that if you cannot attend a dinner party it is essential (almost to a comical fault) that you let your host know exactly the reasons WHY you won't be there. I laughed out loud after reading about the fact that Brits never park their car leaving it in gear when the author then goes on to say, "if you borrow someone's car, for heaven's sake don't leave it in gear when you return it, or the owner will kangaroo straight through the garden wall next time the engine's turned on." Who can resist such advice?!

Occasionally, you'll find some repetitions in the book....what you're reading you just read a few pages ago. A couple of additions would be good also... (unless I missed them) when stepping off the pavement make sure to look right before crossing the street (there are reminders on London streets) and if trying to book passage on BritRail on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, forget about it. I suppose this is a way of saying there is probably enough material for another book by author Hargis.....one I would stand hours in a queue to purchase!

I highly recommend "Rules, Brittania". It's practical, down-to-earth and immensely enjoyable.

I've now read this book front to back twice and I have found it to be so incredibly helpful as I prepare for my move to the UK in July. I would highly recommend this book to anyone moving from the US to the UK, or the UK to the US...or just anyone interested in British culture, as it is highly entertaining as well as informative.

This is not for kids. As our society has evolved to such a relaxed mode manners have evaporated. Respecting one another is not an option but a necessity to maintain a civil society. In my view we have to get manners back or we are lost. Social interaction is fundamental to the human experience. Please, please buy and read this book. And thank you for giving them out as gifts on every occasion...you won't be sorry. Thank you. You will be pleased.

The important thing he notes about the book is that it is not a step by step quide, but rather a book about Respect. We don't need manners, we need respect for other human beings.

I loved his stories and experience. You understand that he's not perfect and he doesn't expect everyone to be. I'm not a Christian, but I'm glad he talked about what he knew as a preacher and a seminary president.

A very good read.

I wish I could drop millions of copies of this book from the sky. It should be required reading by every human being. Has the author been on Oprah? Larry King? Good Morning America? Today? Rosie? How about a PBS special? If so, I'm sorry I missed those segments. If not, then where's his publicist? Can we get rid of Dr. Laura and replace her with Donald McCullough?

It would be such a lovely world if we were all to get back to the basics of mutual respect and consideration. There would be a lot less stress in today's world if everyone followed the very simple principles in this book.

Buy it, read it, share it, and most importantly, DO IT. You'll stand out among the herd--that's for sure.

this is a unique,thorough. and entertaining-yet-serious description of how we should all treat others..... NOT an instruction book, nor a book of rules.....simply how to show respect to our fellow human beings. The hardback edition is much easier on the eyes than the softcover/paperback edition.

Short and sweet. For anyone who loves to get a hand-written thank you note, a birthday card in the mail, or the perfect gift just because-this book is for you. Donald McCullough first is a magical writter, and second a wise and kind teacher.

We need to get back to the nature of caring and doing the little things that make human life special. Saying please and thank you are such fundimental human feelings, the loss of these words in our language will no doubt be the loss of the very threads that help to create the weaving which is the nicer side of our human family.

The gift for all ocassions (I purchased 20 of them!) and a great place to start with the kids. Help us keep the sweetness of human kindness alive, read and enjoy "Say Please, Say Thank You...!

This is the best book on the market regarding planning a wedding. I used M. Stewart's book last time, and this is even better. Great photos, explanations and lots of ideas that really work for lovely weddings. Cannot recommend it highly enough!

A beautiful, informative book. It's great for ideas or to help you get started styling your wedding. A valuable resource for brides, wedding planners, or someone who simply loves weddings.

Susie Coelho's book is wonderfully comprehensive, lush, and practical. This is not simply a wedding coffee table book. Rather, it is a visual guide to help a couple envision what they want their day to be about.
Two aspects make this book a standout.
The first is the booklet which is designed to help you assess your style via a series of simple, insightful questions.
The second is a CD of some classic music pieces which accompany a ceremony.
As a non-denominational minister I work frequently with couples who struggle to envision what they want their day to look and feel like. While the weddings offered in the book are of higher end budgets, the themes easily can be created no matter the budget.
On a personal note, several of the photographers who've contributed to the book are folks I've had the pleasure of working with (Delesie, Cote, Joe Photo). The book's beauty is only enhanced by their work.
This makes for a wonderful engagement gift for a couple.
Rev. J.P. Reynolds

Every single page of this book has beautiful pictures and information with it. It tells you about your wedding style with all the different themes, assortment of wedding stationeries, dresses, flowers, your ceremony style, your reception style, cakes, photography and your getaway. Definitely a good buy especially for couples planning their wedding and a good engagement gift.

My son is getting married and this book has become a wonderful resource for future daughter-in-law. The book is HUGE and loaded not only with ideas, but illustrations and examples. The photos are exquisite and the ideas in this book are not only classy, but easy to implement.

Every facet of a wedding is covered in the book from the dress, to photography to invitations and everything in between. It is an all-in-one resource! And best of all, you can tweak the ideas to fit any budget!

Style Your Dream Wedding is well organized and is has the following special features:
Quiz booklet
Color palette booklet
Dress silhouette accordion pullout
Six 8-page gatefolds
CD of 15 traditional wedding songs
Postcards
More than 600 world-class color photographs

If you are planning a wedding, you must get this resource!

Ann and Ed, an elderly couple, are alone on Thanksgiving, and Ann burns the dinner. Depressed, Ann goes off to iron, but Ed encourages her to go with him to a cafe. They walk in to find a large table festively decorated for Thanksgiving. From the kitchen, members of the immigrant family who own the cafe are peering out, wondering who left the front door open when the restaurant was closed, and what to do about these strangers that had wandered in on their family celebration. The children want to scare them away, but Grandmother urges them to invite the strangers to join them. Thus Ed and Ann are welcomed into an old-world celebration with family, feasting, music, and dancing. It's far different than any Thanksgiving they've ever had, and great fun. At day's end, they warmly thank their new friends and head home. Ann asks Ed what he's most thankful for on this wonderful day, and he replies, "I guess I'd have to say, my dear, that I'm most thankful that you burned our dinner." Ann happily agrees.

I purchased this book to read to my 2 neices ages 5 and 3. The 5 year old was able to read some of the words to and with me. They both enjoyed the story and ask their mother to read it to them on a regular basis. The story is a wonderful tale of sharing of company and culture with an older couple who would other wise had spent Thanksgiving alone without a proper dinner.

Debbie Atwell created a lovely, poignant story about the fellowship of humanity and brought a collective ideal to reality. Beautiful, happy, colorful folk illustrations and an orginal Polacco-esque tale bring the spirit of Thanksgiving to the reader, and our family. Ageless and timeless, we will share this book together for years to come.

What an enjoyable book! Very different storyline than most Thanksgiving Day books, but the spirit of the holiday is wonderfully, accurately captured and very well conveyed. The writing style also is a bit unusual but fits the story. Our 5-year old really enjoyed the book (as did we!) and right away noticed the Ukrainian heritage (dancing) and names. TERRIFIC BOOK!

In the beginning of the book we meet an older couple who look forward to a great Thanksgiving meal. The lady burns the turkey and they thik that Thanksgiving is ruined. The husband sugest that they try out the new restaurant down the street. The door is open so the couple assumes that they are open for business when in reality they are getting ready for a family celebration. Find out what happens when the grandmother that owns the restaurant tries to show the couple the true meaning of Thanksgiving.


I liked the illustrations in the book. They were done in folk art style.


We would recommed this book to read around the Thanksgiving season. It teaches that the real meaning of Thanksgiving is family and friendship.

I was impressed with the author's creativity and amazed by how she used her supplies to create such beautiful gifts. Even though I'm clumsy when it comes to doing this kind of stuff, I may give this a try for my future wedding! I can definitely see this being useful for brides-to-be and guests who want to do unique gifts.

This book is full of wonderful ideas that can be used for not only weddings, but also any other special event. The instructions are extremely detailed and easy to follow. I love that the book contains pictures of the projects before, during, and after completion and can't wait to try a few of the ideas mentioned in the book. The personalized gift ideas were elegant and creative. Great book!

The author uses a great deal of detail and beautiful pictures to give ample instruction on how to make these elegant keepsakes. Even the most creatively challenged people can find ideas and instruction here. This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who likes to make personal gifts for loved ones.

This book is beautifully crafted and has very easy to follow instructions to make these treasures yourself to always remember your special day. I think this book would be the perfect gift for any bride who wishes to enhance her special day with her own keepsakes which can then be passed down to her own children. Overall, it is a wonderful book with concise directions and illustrative pictures.

This book is a beautiful work. The ideas in the book are fabulous. Each and every step is shown and even handy tips are included. The author used real people and events to make the book even more special. She is truly talented. Anyone who is getting married or even thinking of taking up crafts should check this book out. Each and every idea has such a personal warm touch.

This book covers every detail you can think of and those you can't think of. You can tell the author has experience and she offers great advice about contracts and financial matters. Something that I think tends to get overlooked in the whirlwind of wedding dreams. She also walks you through the entire planning process and combines all the sections at the end to form a flow plan for the day of the wedding.

Your wedding vision is the starting point in Your Stress Free Wedding Planner - Expert's Best Secrets to Creating the Wedding of Your Dreams by Judy Allen. After couples complete an independent questionnaire, they will have a better understanding of their thoughts and dreams about creating a custom wedding. This planner gives careful attention to all wedding tasks, therefore, leaving no assignment unaccomplished. The only drawback for this planner would be difficulty removing the pages from its spiral binding as the planner recommends for copymaking.

I bought this book/organizer because I can be a little [...] retentive with details and I wasn't sure exactly where to start since I'm the first in my family to plan a wedding in the last 20 years. it has been extremely helpful in both information and organization. It does work! Plus, there are a ton of worksheets in it that think of things I would normally have forgotten about until it was too late. Very helpful!

This is my go-to wedding organizer. It is comprehensive and full of worksheets and checklists so that you do not forget a thing when it comes to planning and orchestrating your wedding. The author is experienced in planning large-scale events so some of the tips may not apply to your wedding. However, since I had no idea where to even start planning when I got engaged, this book has been a lifesaver. I use this book with theknot.com planning checklist as well as a checklist from realsimple.com in order to make sure nothing is overlooked.

This gift has given a great deal of well deserved advice to a very special bride-to-be!