21st-Century Etiquette: Charlotte Ford's Guide to Manners for the Modern Age

by Charlotte Ford, Jacqueline deMontravel

From high-speed communication to alternative lifestyles, modern life is rapidly rendering old etiquette rules obsolete. In this helpful guide, doyenne of decorum Charlotte Ford takes the mystery out of modern propriety with unstuffy, reliable advice on how to behave and skillfully solve every social conundrum. Ms. Ford tackles cell phone civility, dating and the single life, workplace propriety, dressing appropriately, entertaining, email and other correspondence, handling divorce and other life challenges; as well as everyday etiquette for the gym, smoking, tipping, and more. Readers will welcome Ms. Ford's useful advice, all of which originates in common sense and respect for others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2001

Reviews

[Christen]

As this book was published in 2001 some of the terminology being antiquated isn't a surprise. It wasn't bad, and did have some useful tidbits in it.

[Amber]

cute, sometimes helpful, but unfortunately beyond outdated. Some of the advice I'm doutbful was useful even when this was published.

[Larissa]

Like it well enough. What can I say, it passes the time when you're REALLY booored. The best part so far is the story about the man drinking out of his finger-bowl.I have finally given up on this book, the highlight of this book is still the part about the dude drinking out of the finger-bowl. Pretty sad if you ask me.

[Cinnapatty]

I have delved into the etiquette books for some reason. I find them fascinating. This book was OK. It became quite apparent that Mrs. Ford is from a much higher society status than myself, thus rendering much of her advice useless to me. However, manners are manners and most apply to everyone no matter what.

[Nicole Smith]

Maybe I've read too many books like this lately, but I was really bored reading this book. There were a couple good/ funny comments. Mostly though it seemed like common sense, or were things that just don't apply to me (like tipping they person who helps you pick a wine - I don't drink wine). Glad to have this one done, glad to be moving on to other books.

[Kt marshmallow Marsh]

Well I learned how much to tip to a hotel cleaning person, which I kinda already knew (but forgot last time I was at a hotel i think *** ), how to offer to pay for my meal when on a date, a slew of other guidelines for tipping and conducting oneself in regards to modern technology.

[Sarah]

I didn't read every page word for word, but more or less thumbed through it and read what interested me. Overall a decent book, but the author is definitely a social class (or two...or five...) above mine so much of the information was not pertinent to me.

[Steph]

I didn't find anything terribly new here; most of these tips are online at the Real Simple website, too.

[Lori]

Learned some things.. Need a more updated version and one for moms!!!! Good read , needed that extra boost!

[C]

Lame, stuffy and antiquated. I picked this up because it was next to a Kate Spade book on manners that I was checking out.

[Emily]

The anecdotes passed the time, like a jokes in Reader's Digest, and that's about the best you can say about it.

[Na'Tima]

Good for general tips...If you want more specific information maybe Emily Post would be good.