Etiquette Books

Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Fiddle (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

I was impressed with this book - you might think it's full of stuffy, old-fashioned notions, but it's not. It's basically about one thing: Miss Manners feels that the "this is my day, so I can do WHATEVER I want and should get whatever I want" idea held by many modern brides is way out of line.
This book reminds you that weddings should be about marriage, family and friends. Everything else is really unimportant window dressing, and no, everyone that comes to your wedding is not obligated to bring a gift. Fun reading before a wedding, and perhaps mandatory should spending or expectations begin to get out of control!

She's got some pretty interesting--sometimes unbelievable--letters from readers to share, too.

I really enjoyed her points of view and all of her thoughts on having a wedding. I think it reminds a guest of what an honour it is to be invited to a wedding. It is a quick read and I would recommend this book to anyone.

My mother-in-law gave me this book prior to our wedding 27 years ago, and because of the timeless information it provides we found it very helpful in doing our part in planning for the 2007 wedding of one of our daughter's best friends! My daughter, husband, and I were responsible for writing, printing, & addressing the invitations & reply cards, and this was invaluable for sample invitations, correct forms of address, and lists of the appropriate way(s) to do things. (Remember, if in doubt err on the side of properness & tradition to keep those wagging tongues silent - for some reason everyone thinks your wedding is about THEM.) My husband was the official wedding photographer (with me as his assistant) and it was a godsend to have Miss Manners' suggested lists of photographs to be taken. Not only did it help us think of everything the bride and groom might want but it made us much more confident that we were not neglecting relatives, special friends, parents of special friends, etc.

What can I add to the glowing reviews left by other readers, except to say that I am so glad I read this before I even started planning my own wedding? It is a thoroughly enjoyable book, with plenty of laugh-out-loud bits that had me reading aloud to my roommates. Miss Manners is now helping me to maintain my sanity through the planning of my own wedding. Every time someone tells me something I "must" do, I have her to fall back on rather than panicking about the expectations of others. I've already bought a copy for my sister, and I'm thinking of buying more for my and my fiance's parents. I really cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Love, love, LOVE this book and Miss Manners! Lots of the basic questions that came up in planning my wedding were covered, but more important is the philosophy she espouses. After you read this book you will find it hard to flip through all those bridal magazines without rolling your eyes at the fuss they make over trivial topics. Miss Manners reminds you what's truly important. We had a lovely wedding that was universally described as "perfect" and no stress whatsoever in planning it. I give this book to all my friends as soon as they get engaged.

I PURCHASED FOR MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDSON. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE TO OLD FOR HIM. IT HAD A LOT OF WORDS AND YOU KNOW TODDLERS DON'T SIT STILL FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IT IS A GOOD BOOK BUT FOR OLDER TODDLERS.

well, as the title of the book suggests, this is a book about good manners, being polite and what not.
My 2 year old girl likes it already, although I think it would be even better for older children, they could follow more easily the stories with their favourite characters from Richard Scarry (great drawings!!!).
There are 7 short stories, each of them dealing with a particular topic: how to behave at parties, or with your parents asking for help, or in the street, or with neighbors. all of them are nice and funny. Both boys and girls will enjoy them, also thanks to the brilliant pictures!

Since it's difficult to get children to sit and read often, this book is a bit difficult without "real-life" situations and examples, so whenever I take my child out, I always try my best to make sure that she hears me say "please" and "thank-you" so she will learn those niceties as well as other cultural assistance that will make her a young lady throughout life even if life often doesn't accommodate. This book will be put up until she is ready for the harder concepts of visualization, until she can put reality together with the written word, but it is a WINNER!!!

This book represents a childhood favorite of both my children. It is no longer available in book stores, so I was delighted to find used copies available so that I can buy it for my new grandson. So far I have been telling him the stories just from memory, but the original is priceless. We especially adore the "Pig Will, Pig Won't" story which teaches kids to have a positive attitude. The Pig Won't character is a wonderful example of what NOT to be, and is also great fun to imitate while reading the story.

Who will buy this book? "I will," says Pig Will.

"I won't," says Pig Won't.

So Pig Won't will miss all the fun.

All four of my children had this book read to them many, many times when they were young, and I can attest to the fact that it all sunk in! In fact, now in their 20's, they still quote this book. I'm purchasing another today, for my second grandchild. I'm so glad it's still available! Great book! It gives really cute, friendly examples of the benefits of manners and helping others.

There is a great deal of fascinating and useful information in this volume. It will give one a fairly comprehensive idea of the things used for dining at whatever scale both of entertaining and personal choice. I feel like it contains that info needed for a background in the vast subject of dining equipment and use.
I most loved the historical material dealing with porcelain and pottery in a variety of cultures. Outstanding!

The word COMPLETE is accurate. This is the definitive guide to the various pieces of china, flatware, stemware, serveware, and linens, as well as how they emerged from the mists of history, how they are made, what the terminology surrounding them means, and how to use them. This is far more than a guide to how to set a table and how to behave at a table. This is an important, authoritative reference work for anyone with a serious, ongoing interest in the topics that this book covers.

The book teaches much about history: "The evolution of pottery begins in Neolithic times" (21), and this book guides readers through Egyptian pottery, Greek pottery, etc., up through European, English, and American pottery and porcelain, not neglecting Chinese and Islamic contributions. (The author covers flatware, stemware, and serveware in a similar fashion, including methods of manufacturing and terminology.) This book would thus be helpful to anyone seriously interested in collecting any type of tableware (china, silverware, or stemware). Another result of the author's breadth of historical knowledge is the explanations of many expressions that survive to the present day, such as "to whet the appetite": "The medieval host did not supply dinner knives" to his guests. "A whetstone was often placed by the entrance hall so that guests could sharpen their knives before a feast. Hence the expression `to whet the appetite' in keen anticipation of food" (178-179).

The book covers various meals, including formal and informal dinners, buffets, formal and informal luncheons, afternoon tea, and high tea. The author provides much information about menus, both foods and beverages. She covers wine, tea, and coffee.

The beauty of this book lies not only in its thoroughness, but also its unexpected tidbits. People who pride themselves on knowing of the existence of the cream soup spoon, the ice cream fork, the strawberry fork, the lobster fork, and the pastry fork may be surprised to learn that these pieces would never properly be used as part of a formal dinner. (The author explains why.) Miss Manners brushes aside the distinction between a teacup and a coffee cup by saying that your guests won't notice the difference anyway unless you place them side by side, but this author defines pieces used at an individual place setting: eleven types of plates (including which are made as part of a dinnerware set, such as a dinner plate and a salad plate, and which are not, such as a fish plate and a dessert plate), nine types of bowls, seven types of cups, seven types of knives, fourteen types of spoon, thirteen types of forks, and eighteen types of stemware.

On a few points, this author seems more old-fashioned than Miss Manners (Judith Martin). Miss Manners rejects the traditional rule for formal dinners that the number of male and female guests must be equal, as the result is to exclude single women, widows, and divorcées. However, this book must, in most matters, be regarded as definitive.

Beautiful pictures illustrate everything you wanted to know about the graceful table. This is a wonderful party planner's guide providing inspiration and fun ways to set your table and mood for dinner.

I was tempted to simply curl up on the sofa and read this substantial and well laid-out reference book, but the author's idiosyncrasies and the publisher's poor copyediting make me too uncomfortable to sit still.

Most sections start with a little rhyme or aphorism, many composed by the author herself. Unfortunately, her skill at coining a phrase does not rise to the level of her through research and fine organization. And since the editors can't even tell the difference between how to "lay" a table and what "lies" on it (for example), they apparently didn't consider reining her in. The sweetness of the information and the author's enthusiasm are made unpalatable by one cringe-inducing jingle after another and an endless, carbon-copied parade of etymology lessons. A few passages of text are so convoluted as to be indecipherable. Argh.

The good: Exhaustive information, drawings, and photographs of individual pieces of tableware (flatware and dishes), how to arrange them, how to select and purchase them, when and how to use them, and how to care for them; how to set for and serve formal and informal meals; how to select and drape tablecloths; how to decorate a table with flowers. Great information for collectors as well as hosts and guests. A handsomely set book that I've referred to again and again.

The bad: A publisher that didn't respect the author (or its customers) enough to edit her work with the same thoroughness she brought to the project.

The ugly: A book whose flaws keep it from rising to the author's vision of elegance, ease, and usefulness.

Do you love to entertain at home yet aren't sure of all the rules of etiquette? What is the correct place to put the butter knife? Is it necessary to put a different fork when serving fish? Should bread be buttered entirely or bite by bite? What is the difference between the various types of wine glasses?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced host, you'll find The Art of the Table a complete, invaluable guide filled with all there is to know about table setting, table manners, and tableware.

In spite of its length, the book is easy to follow and written in reader-friendly language. It is filled with interesting facts, as well as fascinating quotes and proverbs from famous people throughout the ages. In the middle of the book the author includes beautiful color photographs of various styles of table settings--formal, informal, eclectic, European, American, Spanish colonial, rustic, contemporary, etc.. All though the book, however, there are detailed drawings used for demonstration, offering the reader a clear idea of the author's how-to explanations.

The book is divided into nine parts, each encompassing several topics:

One: Dining Fundamentals
Two: Dinnerware
Three: Flatware
Four: Stemware
Five: Table Linens
Six: Serving Techniques
Seven: Dining Finesse
Eight: Menu Plan
Nine: Table Manners

The best thing about the book is not only that it demonstrates the "how-to" of table setting, but that it offers a lot of information about tableware. For instance, in Part Four, Stemware, the author gives a historical background of glass and crystal, the different decorative methods and styles, the different categories, their shape and purpose, how to place stemware, how to purchase stemware, and even how to care for it. The same is done in the other parts with Dinnerware, Flatware, Table Linens, etc.. Thus this book is, in every sense of the word, a complete reference book.

I really enjoyed going throguh this book for advice on dressing professionally. I knew alot of it in advance, but I'm bad at accessorizing and planning my wardrobe- this book has helped me begin a mission to create a wardrobe that makes getting ready for work easy while keeping your budget under control.

I work in IT, where a suit would make me very over-dressed. I'm always trying to figure out what the female equivalent of the male uniform is (button-down shirt, slacks, and dress shoes). This book was more helpful than "Dress for Success" (pictures and modern examples), but not as good as "Casual Power".

Common sense dress code. I read more informative book about dressing.

I have been purchasing various books on how to dress and this is my favorite book. I love how the information was presented. I bought both the Women and Men books and I have enjoyed both. These books are essential for me in improving my dress from my current wardrobe. I also really enjoy the travel tips, very useful. I dress both my boyfriend and myself from the great tips these books offer. GREAT BOOK.

My coworkers see a person destined for clerical glory when they interact with me. My wardrobe needs a serious makeover. However, my concern is not so much "the interview, succeeding in the job, and getting a better job". I'm starting a home-based business and I purchased this book to help me to kick up my image as a businesswoman. I didn't know how to put together a serious professional wardrobe until I purchased it. I love the pictures, the suggestions - I love everything about this book. I'm going to obtain the black, navy, gray, and beige suits in the high-quality fabrics recommended, as well as in a couple of other colors. I'm also going to follow pretty much all of the advice in here tweaked to my personal professional style. I most highly recommend this book.

Dogbert's Clues for the Clueless is perfect for every clueless person in need of guidence and the rest of us that laugh at them.
A definite must have.

In this 1993 book, Scott Adams' creation, Dogbert, sets out to teach the right way to do everything. Written with tongue firmly planted in cheek, this book teaches you everything you need to know, from how to talk with your mouth full, through relationships, children, pets, and on to the "S" word (as in, never say that this book is s____).

OK, as with all of Adams' Dilbert books this one displays that kooky humor that has made him famous. There is nothing serious in this book, and anyone looking for any lessons here should be tarred and feathered. Admittedly, this book moves the Dilbert characters out of the office and into many situations that they find everywhere, and they attack each situation with the same sense of pure cluelessness. So, if you are a fan of Dilbert, then I highly recommend this book to you. I loved it!

This seems like one of the first Dilbert books ever written, and as so, I don't think it's a very good read compared to the other currently available Dilbert books. This one uses much bigger frames for one; 4 frames per page, making the approximately 4 times bigger than the regular comic strips. This makes it seem like I'm a child reading a children's book, I must say; but this isn't the point.

My point is that there are newer and better Dilbert books available right now, and you should read those ones that are also more relevant to today's business world, than this outdated one (even though not that outdated, as I said before and will say again, there are newer ones that you should rather turn your eyes to.)

This is the book that got me originally hooked on Dilbert, and I still think it is Scott Adams' best work. The Dilbert strip, over the years, has gotten to be less about life as a well-meaning nerd, and more about the workplace, and I think a lot of very good humor has gotten lost. The humor here covers everything from dating etiquiette, to explaining why the extra fork is there, to dealing with insurance companies. Much more amusing than simply complaining about incompetent managers !

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, ok, i think you get the message

The first real Dilbert book I read, and one of the funniest things in the history of printed media. So much so that my boyfriend offers it to me to read if i'm feeling sad, cos it's guaranteed to cheer me up every time.

As all the other reviews say, it's true-to-life, with spot on observations about just about everything you could imagine. But, rather than repeat all that, i'll include some tempting insights into the best bits:

"Sitting On Them" - the subtlety of the opening cartoon had me chuckling for ages

"Death" - "I said 'Honey, don't moon the cheetahs, they look fast'"

And my personal all-time favourite, that never ever becomes less funny...Coping with people who spit when they talk - build a cone of dryness. You have to see this cartoon. Really. You'll not regret it!

Judy Allen is one of the best in the business. The Toronto based event professional has written a series of how to books for the event industry with lots of wisdom from her many years of experience. This referene book contains tactics, strategies, templates, advice, and concise case studies for anyone seeking to increase their skills and abilities quickly. While event planning requires a solid foundation of common sense the more technical aspects of it are covered in this book. A great professional manual for anyone who wants to know how one of the best does it.

This product is same as described in purchase. Delivery was very quickly and good conditions. I recommend this product and provider. Sincerely. Jose Pena

Being an avid reader of Event Planning literature, I must say that this book is alright.

It was very useful to me as I used it to brak into the wedding/event business. It presents a very corporate approach, yet it seems to uncover all kinds of secrets of the event world that are hidden to the public eye.

It is hard to tell who this book is geared towards. A novice should not take on any event that is as over their head; as most of the event situations that are listed in the book are. A professional would know from experience the answers to most of the questions or they would have the common sense to take care of any odd situation that arose. The book may be helpful to assistant managers or banquet captains, but most houses have their own way of doing things. Interesting read and a good refresher, buy used.

This was bought as a gift for a friend. we share a like for Hyacinth Bucket!

Hyacinth, Daisy and Rose are truly a delicious bouquet. Hyacinth's Book of Etiquette brings a smile to my face by just looking at the cover. Anyone who enjoys KEEPING UP APPEARANCES will find this fun book of delightful silliness a delicious echo of the series itself. A perfect coffee table entry.

IT'S BOUQUET!!! It certainly is (although it's spelt "B-u-c-k-e-t") and there is only one Hyacinth! (Thank God!) The superbly talented Patricia Routledge is everyone's snobby person you 'love to hate' but it doesn't stop there. A cast of superbly talented, not to mention hilarious and perfectly cast characters, make this a MUST HAVE series. The range of Ms Routledge's expressions alone not only has you in tears of laughter, but is also such a wonderful role model for any aspiring actor/actress wishing to see for themselves how it 'should be done'. Ex-Corrie actor Geoffrey Hughes' loveable slob "Onslow" (on slow - get it?) is wonderful as Hyacinths opposite; her more than laid back brother in law who pities poor "Dickie" (Hyacinths long-suffering husband "Rrrrichard") and has the ultimate laid-back view on life which he shares with his wife Daisy (Judy Cornhill) and Hyacinths other sister, the man-crazy Rose. Add to that the scatty and nervous "Liz" from next door, and it adds up to another classic comedy series.
It's a series my wife and I watch over and over again without tiring of it, and it falls firmly in the "Best of British" comedy catagory. We all know a "Hyacinth" and an "Onlsow", even a "Richard". Buy this set and see what I mean! Totally marvellous viewing!

A funny read. Hyacinth is always a pain to her hubby and neighbors, but what a funny pain she is.

This tastefully designed Book of Etiquette reveals the invaluable advice of Keeping Up Appearances Hyacinth Bucket who has waged "eternal vigilance against encroaching tides of indelicacy" to make her suburban district "one of the most sought-after postal codes in the land." The book is written in the voice of Hyacinth herself as she answers letters from her myriad of admirers. In this book, the aspiring hostess will learn how to organize a candlelight supper, from designing the proper, embossed, mantelpiece-worthy invitations and planning appropriate seating arrangements to maintaining high standards in the quality of one's bathroom linen. Other topics concern ways to deal with tradesmen, the proper use of the telephone, how to maintain a healthy body and mind, one's role in organized religion and charity work, what books and art to appreciate for a proper cultural education, and the importance of wearing the correct hat. The book is filled with scores of photos from the BBC comedy as well as many references to the many tricky situations Hyacinth encounters-and conquers, of course-in the show. I am removing a star from the score because much of the book is made up of recaps of episodes that most KUA fans have seen many times; however, fans will enjoy the extras tidbits offered here, such as Hyacinth comparing her sisters' personalities to their flowery names, and what attracted her to Richard. There is even a photo of Sheridan (well, sort of).

This book is very well-written and beautifully-designed and not the rush job a lot of these television related books tend to be. There is even an index of topics in the back. Clive Swift (Richard) even remarked on how impressed he was in the book during the Peppermill interview with Patricia Routledge (available as an extra on the DVD "Living the Hyacinth Life"). A must for any fan and remember "keeping up appearances is not the most important thing in life, it is the only thing."

This book was just OK. I was really looking forward to reading it so maybe I expected too much. It was really slow in the middle - almost like the author was trying to stretch the material. On the other hand, some parts were really entertaining and all too true.

I thought I liked her book about funerals and I did, but this is even better. I would recommend it especially to southern girls and women who no longer live in the south. I look forward to sharing it with my daughter who is in Denver.

This book is hilarious, and yet, so true. Reading the tales of women who are truely southern, and will remind you of it every day of their lives, is hilarious. The wedding stories are great, and filled with practical advice to pull of the perfect southern wedding. I absolutely loved this book.

Insightful, devilishly funny. Anyone who has any contact with the Mississippi Delta will see long lost friends on every page.

The authors of Being Dead Is No Excuse are back for another rollicking good time recounting the foibles and frustration of the Delta. Like Being Dead, this friendly tome wields its wit like a Union saber, slicing through the niceties of southern living and getting to the heart of the matter. "A Southern mother might be tempted to marry off her daughter to Jack the Ripper (who reportedly was a member of the royal family--so there) if it meant she could get out all her tea napkins." As the last vestige of decorum, pageantry, beauty, gallantry and, yes, good taste, the perfect wedding can be a backyard event or a multi-tent pageant, but it should never be tacky.

The South has more aphorisms than mosquitoes, and they are peppered throughout the book like crawdads in a burgoo:

* "By the time a Delta girl is eight years old, she knows more about wedding etiquette than a Yankee bridal consultant."
* "A Southern bride will write a gushing thank-you note almost before you get home from mailing the gift."
* "Southern mothers have a dictum: Even if it kills you, be nice."
* "You will smell (a genuine Delta bride) before you actually see her--we are a people of the perfume bottle, and other bottles, too."
* "A wedding announcement that begins, `Mr. Billy Wayne Garrett, 5, is pleased to announce the impending nuptials of his parents, Nelda Jean Akers and Billy Wayne, Senior,' has already said too much."

From the rehearsal to the reception to the wedding, authors Metcalfe and Hays lay out a beautiful buffet of tales involving funny and dysfunctional people you probably already know. One snobbish mother describes her daughter's disappointing fiancé--an elevator operator--as a "vertical engineer." Another plants trees and shrubbery when her daughter is born in anticipation of her daughter's nuptials and, twenty years later, has the magnolia flowers clipped on the wedding day when they are the exact shade of the gowns. The explanation of the term "shotgun wedding" includes one tale that involves an actual shotgun.

Each chapter is followed by several pages of recipes, and they all sound scrumptious (And, as with all really good things, they'll likely turn your blood into syrup). Somebody is Going to Die is warm and welcome like a fresh pecan pie. There is nothing to offend. Remember it when you are shopping for a nice remembrance or birthday gift; it will be enjoyed and shared for years to come.

You can count the days until the thank-you note arrives.

My husband and I lived in France for over three years, but didn't discover this book until we moved back to the States. Everything in the book is right on the mark - the French are SOOO different from anyone else. This isn't to say they're bad - they really are quite charming. But the main lesson I learned in France is this - If it isn't the French way, ce n'est pas normal!!! This fantastic book should be read by anyone going to France, has gone to France, or who has curiosity about the French culture.

Stephen Clarke puts into words what one feels when one lives or travels in France. It's really great to read so many truths about the French and have a little giggle! The photos are great in this book too.
I wish this book were a Kindle book because lately I'm allergic to the dust in books and can only read electronic ones. Please make this a Kindle book so I can finish it!

I love every one of Stephen Clarke's books. I have never laughed so hard reading. Looking forward to getting his newest. I wish these books would also go to the big screen. Hugh Grant?

Clarke provides an eerily accurate view into Parisian life. From inattentive waiters to constant strikes, you'll get an amusing take on life in France.

This is an excellent and funny guide to France and the French. Clarke has constructed his book around a series of commandments that the French supposedly obey: thou shalt eat, thou shalt be right, and thou shalt be ill, among others. "Thou shalt eat" obviously discusses French attitudes to food and drink, and the behavior around those attitudes. "Thou shalt be right" discusses French haughtiness, among other topics. "Thou shalt be ill" looks at how the French enjoy being sick, and enjoy getting suppositories when they are.

The book is fun to read, and I'd recommend it for its humor alone. However, it would also serve the more serious purposes of improving your cultural literacy if you are going to travel, work, or live in France. Clarke would give you a good understanding of why things work they way they do, and he often offers advice on how to get by in the face of frustrations. Many things that frustrate outsiders make sense if you wrap your head around them and understand them in their full cultural context.

Clarke even provides a "useful sentences" guide in each chapter. Some provide generally-useful vocabulary (how to ask a doctor, "Will it be refunded?") while others are just jokes ("What do I do with this suppository?"). These guides, along with the text in the accompanying chapter, would help you in the very serious business of asking pointed questions of a potential landlord or real estate agent, for example.

The book posts relentless fun at the country and its people. It would be tiresome if Clarke hated the French, but it's clear that he loves the country and this fondness makes the whole package work. Though Clarke is British, he has decided to make his home in France. Fortunately, he although enjoys poking fun at the foibles of his adopted country.

I dont know if this book has valuable information or not. It is as boring and dry as a communion wafer so I didn't make it past page 50. I'm a 100% non-fiction girl, so when I say it's boring, you can trust me, its boring!

I am not an assistant, but I still read this book and it was fab! It had some really interesting points and it really points you in the right direction for executive leadership. It points out great facts that all of us in an organization is an assistant to someone, even customers or clients. This book is great and worth the buy.

This book is very informative for the beginning Admin Asst. It has great ideas and shows the common sense approach behind everyday items that really make a difference. However, as I continued to read Joan's suggestions...I realized I WAS an Inner Circle Asst because I was already employing her techniques on a daily basis. It was empowering to know that my common sense approach was truly the way to become successful. (Granted, it's certainly helped MY career!) Even if you ARE an Inner Circle Asst already, this book is still a great read and it can confirm and remind you that you're on the right track! I would definitely recommend this to the aspiring Admin who doesn't plan on STAYING an Admin for her entire career. The ideas presented are very easy to incorporate successfully and are the foundation of any successful Executive! Because even if the word 'Executive' isn't in your title, you should still present yourself as one!

Although the book covers quite a bit in its 250-some pages, it lacks serious substance. While it motivates those in the administrative field to take charge and harbor an invincible positive attitude, it offers little direction or guidance beyond that. Noted in the Acknowledgements that the book was a 35-year work in progress, it shows. Many sections seem brief or entirely cut off with no direction or conclusion and the book flits through sections with no clear path. There's a lot of build up and no real answers to the questions that plague those in this profession. The entire book left me wanting to know more, but not giving me a whole lot I didn't already know.

I found the information in this book to be invaluable for those who are wishing to step up a notch in their role as an Executive Assistant. Easily set out, easy to read, and incredibly motivational - I highly recommend it.