Etiquette Books

The book is informative. I found I didn't get a chance to use a lot of the information though. What you're going to do is what your wife and daughter tell you do. The best thing you can do is keep reminding them not to spend to much money. They still will, but at least you got to give your input. Prepare for the big day by thinking of what you are going to say to your daughter, before you walk her down the aisle, When you give her away and during the father/daughter dance. This is a good book. It does prepare for the things your wife and daughter want you to do.

Holy Moly, any bride-to-be with a clueless dad (or one who is pretending to be clueless, anyway) needs to buy this book. It covers anything and everything that he needs to know -- so that he can't plead ignorance during the planning and the actual ceremony and reception.

This Idiot's Guide is just what is needed for the reluctant father of the bride. It is a humorous look at the father's role in his daughter's wedding; yet, it allows the father to understand his need to love and be patient with his daughter and her mother during this momentous time.

Very helpful.

This book provided very detailed information on all duties of the father of the bride. I found it very useful and gave it to my dad. Lots of detail!

Barnes gives us chapter by chapter, practical how-to tips on how to start early in talking out what children are really crying for...information and guidance. With this book we have a better chance in properly preparing our children/teens for having fun at dating, planning dating, guiding them in deciding when to say yes or no, foundations for choosing their lifelong mate, protecting from the negatives in dating, meeting/interviewing her date/his date, how to start the discussion, how to protect from deciding for them, preparing them to decide for themselves at college, curfew: when to relax and tighten them. Every parent on earth should have read this book...then apply it.

Book Review
Preparing Your Child for Dating (Dr. Bob Barnes, Zondervan, 1998;
203pp)
by Ed Vasicek

Preparing Your Child for Dating is an excellent, well-rounded volume covering the broad spectrum of dating issues from a mainstream evangelical Christian viewpoint. The author, Dr. Bob Barnes, operates under the premise that controlled dating under parental supervision prepares one for dating when no longer under that supervision. Courtship (as per Josh Harris) he argues, leaves a child naive and unprepared for dating once "out of the nest."

The book is divided into four sections, with sections two and three receiving the most space. The divisions are: (1)A Generation with No Guidelines,(2)The Plan for Dating,(3)The Dating Process,and(4)The Lessons Learned.

Two chapters were notable in the first section. One of them, entitled, "Develop a Plan Before You Develop A Problem" urges parents to be proactive in dating. He writes, "Left to their own devices,with no guidance from parents,teens begin dating with very immature ideas about the opposite sex.....Parents must develop a dating plan for their children...(pp.24-25)."

Another chapter, titled, "Who's in Charge Here?" tells it like it often is: "In many homes, the children are in charge of their own dating. Their parents think there's nothing they can do...In Parent-Directed Dating, the parents implement a training program that teaches their children about dating but puts the responsibility for proper dating squarely on the shoulders of the child, (pp.35-36)."

Section two talks about developing a "dating plan." Since the long-term goal of dating is to find an appropriate person to marry, Dr. Barnes suggests developing a list with children before they date as to what they want in a mate. The list is divided into absolute requirements(examples: a dedicated Christian,no drugs/alcohol, etc.),important but not absolutely necessary qualities, and then preferences. When a girl is asked out on a date,for example,she goes over that list with a parent. This helps decisions to be more objective and less emotional. Rather than become emotionally involved and then choosing whether to obey the Lord or rationalize disobedience,misplaced emotions are avoided.

When going to a "party," the author argues, it is very logical for parents to speak to the host parents. They need to inquire as to whether the parents will be present and what standards will be upheld. Though young people will claim theirs was the only mom to do such a thing, Dr.Barnes says "do it!"

Parents must also discuss with their teens what is and is not
appropriate. The word "appropriate," he suggests, is a key term. What sort of affection(in public and private)is and is not acceptable? What sort of places are and are not appropriate?

In the third section,the author discusses "The Dating Process." Ages for double and single dating must be decided beforehand. The author gives no absolute plan (purposely so),but does mention that his daughter was allowed to double date at age 16, for example. Privileges must be earned(for example, a curfew can be extended after a young person has proven himself/herself trustworthy by obeying the previous curfew, etc;otherwise the curfew is made even earlier!). Quiet, objective firmness can control the argumentive pattern that develops when parents give in.

One strong emphasis in this section is the importance of "interviewing" the "date" beforehand (perhaps having the young person over for Sunday dinner). This can "weed out" many problems and is in itself worth the price of the book.

The last section, "The Lessons Learned" discusses releasing a prepared young person to independence, the ultimate goal being self-discipline.

As a pastor, one of the biggest obstacles I find in rearing young people today is parents whose heads are buried in the sand, assuming things have changed little since they were young (as mentioned above). To all such,I share this quotation from Dr. Barnes: "Tragedy lurks when a parent chooses not to be informed...(p.137)."

I give this book two thumbs up, and, along with "I Kissed Dating
Goodbye," should give concerned parents a well-rounded perspective of thoughtful opinion from two differing Christian perspectives.

As a pastor,I would like to add this comment: The "courtship" approach mandates that a young person whole-heartedly embrace it. I do not think it is healthy for parents to force their young people into this approach. The second approach (the
above book)is,in my opinion,the minimum for Christian parents.

Remote control, the "duh, I don't know, duh, what are the other kids doing?" approach spells disaster, and is advocated by neither book. Parents know more than their teens (though your youngsters remain skeptical of this), and must direct the process.

es -bus protoco

es -bus protoco

A new friend was thoughtful and gave this book to me as a gift. I love it! The recipes are simple to assemble, oh-so-yummy, and the photos of each drink are gorgeous. Includes alchoholic and non-alcoholic recipes and tips for serving and presentation.

Last year (before owning this book) I hosted a large Easter gathering and wanted to offer a special drink to my guests. My incessant internet and cookbook search to find the perfect drink for 30 people at Easter came up with practically NOTHING. The very few drink recipes I did find were not what I had in mind. Either the flavors weren't right, it wasn't a "pretty" drink and/or I would have been standing at my bar all day mixing individual drinks. This book would have been the answer! Punch offers a TON of drink options and I wish I would have been lucky enough to have met my new friend sooner.

A must have for anyone who enjoys hosting parties...and great to have on hand for baby showers, bridal luncheons, ladies groups, etc. You will love owning this book and will put Martha to shame when you serve up one of these delicious, beautiful drinks to your guests.

I Really Like this book. Just about each recipe comes with a non acoholic version which I like because now I can make the drinks for my children as well. Each drink recipe comes with a picture so you know exactly how your finish outcome is suppose to look. There is 34 drink recipes in the book. Some of the recipes you will find are: Sparkling mint & strawberry lemonade, Mango Tango, Dockside delight, Petal Punch, Mimosa Punch, Citrus cooler, etc. This is a wonderful book to add to any cookbook collection.

I've used the best foot books to prepare for my own travels. I bought this one to give to someone from overseas to prepare for a business trip to the US. To me it seems worthwhile if not a bit overly long (one chapter for each state).
Unfortunately Amazon's delivery is delayed almost 3 weeks and this is causing a problem

For a non-native, this book gives some interesting insights into America, Americans and their culture.

We use it for cultural awareness training in Indian Call Centers. The participants find the insights fascinating!

Ian
Holistic Enterprise
Training Consultancy

TOWARD THE END OF THIS BOOK WE LEARN THAT THIS IS JENNIFER'S SWAN SONG...AT LEAST FOR NOW...AND THAT AUTHOR LINDA GAIL SHELNUTT WILL BE TAKING OVER IN HER OWN RIGHT IN MOLASSES MOON, which I have already started and am liking.

I will miss Jennifer, as Linda has said she is largely based on her anyway, though she managed to develop her own personality, one that was sorely tested throughout this story. As in part one, Jennifer is desperately trying to make ten long years of writing pay off...provide an income...she takes her letter writing from agents to publishers to editors to authors and back to agents.

she writes letters on the brink of insanity...she writes letters dripping with wounded sarcasm, she writes letters gushing with politeness, she writes letters referring to ten other letters, she writes letters telling the reader to go read all her manuscripts, she writes 'em short, she writes 'em long...

and then Jeff Herman comes along...and heavenly choirs start singing....chimes chime and pure white lights shine! One thing you have to hand Jennifer, among many,she never becomes a know it all. someone at it for all those years might conclude they've seen it all, know exactly what they're doing...just a matter of waiting for the Big Break.

Jennifer is always open to suggestions, and she thinks Jeff Herman has plenty of good ones for her. And then she gets his letter....he wants to read her manuscript!!

There it is folks...you're all set to start reading and pick up with this amazing saga which began back with MORNING COMES. this really opens your eyes...tells you how stars are born. More than that, you see and feel the IMPACT of the quest for stardom on the human being risking all for the limelight.

I sit and read with amazement...with wonder. I learn from these books. I've learned to gather ye vailima while ye may...that there are worse things than languishing on a tropical island. when the old folks tell me nowadays to make something of myself, I hand them a book...any book...about Jennifer. I tell them what it is to "make something of onesself".

Linda Gail Shelnutt is a great writer who knows first hand. She has passed the magic on to her readers. A great book...one of several. And there's still a sequel. Her name is Linda instead of Jennifer but all the continuity is there...it's like revisiting old friends.

ANOTHER UNIQUE, WORTHWHILE READ IN THE GEM SERIES!

This is Part Two of Quarter Moon Dues... published by author Linda Gail Shelnutt on Kindle. Quarter Moon Dues as a whole is one book in her Gem series. If read as part of that and in sequence I believe the reader will get much more out of it...as it continues with the saga of middle aged Jennifer O'Reilley [starting out as Jennifer Green] and her efforts to follow the path of her dreams to become a best-selling author with all she believes that will mean for humanity. The entire story, beginning with Morning Comes, is my favorite kind of story: the in-depth examination of a life...and Life itself...with its loves and hates, ups and downs beauty and ugliness. You come to know Jennifer quite well when you read the entire series... you get to experience the details of a life...come to know the people around her...come to feel her triumphs and her pain.



The point, however, is that Quarter Moon Dues can be read standing alone as well. If you are an aspiring writer, this book is a must read...because Linda Gail Shelnutt is sharing with you two decades of struggle to become a published author. You will meet the agents and the editors, the authors and the publishers as you wind your way through the saga of a very creative woman trying ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING....every kind of approach you could imagine...and many at least I couldn't....



You'll get to see the actual response of the identified players...from the biggest boys and girls to the bottom feeders from New York to San Diego... to the various techniques...what worked...what didn't.



It's an education you could pay hundreds of dollars to get at some seminar....an education no aspiring writer will want to miss.



You can throw away Writers' Literary Market...this book is all you'll need.



The primary appeal of such a saga for me, apart from the educational value, seeing first hand what this game...this publishing jungle...is all about, are the roller-coaster emotions that Shelnutt's vivid writing style allows you to share. Since you are getting this struggle practically in Jennifer's real time, you buy into her hopes for some new technique she decides to try after feeling her pain and frustration when, after a couple of chapters worth of hope for a previous technique, it flames out in humiliating failure.



The converse is also true...when weeks of dunning failure after dogged determination suddenly bring a ray of hope...a ticket to the Big Time....the writer's dream.



Will she ultimately be successful?



You will surely be rooting for her, because with all the give and take, this is also a human interest story. This is a real person here. From all there will be sympathy...from aspiring writers there will be EMPATHY.



To those who read The Rose and the Pyramid, Shelnutt's 1985 premiere effort now a collectors' item, or Morning Comes and the Gem series, Quarter Moon Dues offers the added pleasure of Linda's further advocacy for realization on Earth of what I call the "Gemist values". These may also be found in large part in her Visceral Histories relating to the coal industry, as well as in her separate publication, Myrtle's Ultimate Mystery [another greatly engrossing read let me tell you! I had nightmares for weeks!].



The values themselves are interesting and, more than that, thought-provoking...especially in today's troubled times. If everything else were removed from this book, the advocacy of those values alone make Quarter Moon Dues a masterful and entertaining politico-philosophical treatise...which should at the very least command serious thought from any American reader.



Human interest, the dog-eat-dog of the publishing world, political and social blueprint...this book has all of those.



FIVE STARS for vivid composition and reader interest. John W. Cassell



John W. Cassell is a retired law enforcement officer and prosecutor. He has authored seven books on life during the American Cultural Revolution of the Late Sixties/Early Seventies, including CROSSROADS: 1969 and DEVILLIERS COUNTY BLUES: 1972, has published several guest opinion editorials in ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS and is a frequent contributor to the Amazon-Connect Author Blog.

This is a wonderful book for your little princess who wants to be a queen. My 4 year old daughter loves this book and so do I, it is very helpful on reminding her of her manners. When she is doing something she shouldn't be I will ask her "Would a queen do that?" and she will answer "no".

This adorable book is a fun read and right-on when it comes to the "do's and don'ts" of being a little girl - especially a head-strong one. The fun characters and beautiful illustrations enhance the lessons in this sweet book. My 3 year old loves her "bee book" and requests that we read it to her multiple times every day. It makes a great addition to your little one's library!

We first found this book at the library, and my three year old son can't get enough of it. I like it because it has nice, intelligent language and a lilting meter that makes it fun to read out loud. He likes it because a little boy sneezes on his aunts. Hilarious stuff to a three year old! Highly recommend.

This is a rare picture book, funny and intelligent in an old fashioned way. My 8 year old can't get enough of it. the pictures are perfect and the rhymes are, too. It's a great book, especially for kids with a naughty streak. And what kid doesn't have a naughty streak(or at least a naughty urge, like Quentin III)?? I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. according to my friend who has already been to Romania it was extreamly accurate.

I am very glad I bought this book.

I have dealings with people in Romania, both for work and socially, and had been baffled and offended by some behaviors.

This book explains all: for example, it isn't bad manners, it's normal manners, it is local custom, to not say "please" or "thank you." When they get in your face and yell their opinion, it isn't aggression or anger: that's normal conversation. And if you yell right back, they'll appreciate it!

Wish I knew that before my first trip ......

Dropping pronouns & even nouns is how they actually talk (as opposed to what we learn in Berlitz or other language schools).

The essays on recent history & politics are very informative on how many Romanian people view, and sometimes envy us; and explains the disconnect between what we, in a free market economy in a democracy mean and what they hear/understand. And vice versa.

I wish I had this book a year ago, when I first interviewed for a consultant position in Bucharest.

It is easy to read, well laid out, a very casual style of English.