Everyday Etiquette: How to Navigate 101 Common and Uncommon Social Situations

by Patricia Rossi

The secret to self-confidence is to know and understand the rules of social engagement before you're in the middle of an uncomfortable situation.

Do you know how
Pick the right fork?
Shine at a networking event?
Write a Thank you Note?
Shake hands?
RSVP to an invitation? Say no to a request for a favor?Use social media with clarity?Behave at a sporting event?
Say the perfect thing at a funeral?Smoke a cigar in public?

Etiquette isn't just something you need on formal occasions. It's a blueprint for how to behave every day, in every situation, to make interactions between people smooth and pleasant, with no ruffled feathers, misunderstandings or hurt feelings. It helps you smoothly transition from college to corporate life, and from professional obligations to personal ones. Etiquette doesn't exist to add a layer of extra rules to life―it's there to guide us to treat each other with kindness and consideration in our personal and professional lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Business, Self Help, Psychology

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2011

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, this book covered a lot of situations, but the solutions were all very common-sense sorts of things. Be on time, say "please" and "thank you," be considerate of others, don't use slang or abbreviations. I suppose most of these books boil down to the same thing: stop being oblivious of others and acting like you're the only person who matters. Even when you ARE the only person who matters, it's still not nice to act like it.

I suppose what I was looking for was a book that addressed others' bad behavior, not how I can avoid behaving badly myself. Cause I don't. I'm pretty damn-near perfect when it comes to interacting with others. I gots MAD social skills!.....

Okay, maybe I should read this book again......

[Jennie Machines · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was actually rather disappointing. It was not very insightful and it seemed outdated even though it was only published in 2011.

[minhhai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it short, to the point and practical (if you prefer a full-length etiquette guide, maybe Emily Post's series are better choices). This book covers a broad range of everyday social situations in which you may want to pay attention to your manner. Although a large part of the book is common sense, it can be a helpful reminder.

Etiquette guide can be repetitive and boring. The author made it a fun to read by listing the rules and tips very briefly with a humorous tone (sometimes a bit too much).

However, some parts are too short. For example, you're not going to head out to your interview after reading one page of interviewing advice in the book. On the other hand, some are not relevant to etiquette, such as how to deal with your job loss.

Overall, it's a short, fun to read and helpful reminder of everyday manners.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this read because I feel that the fast-paced world we live in has become much too casual and relaxed when it comes to basic etiquette and manners. I wanted to readdress how relaxed I have become myself and make some improvements in this department. :) Some interesting insight and helpful tips for common and uncommon social situations, but the overall advice was pretty obvious (common sense).

[sjams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually kind of helpful. I'll need it again in case I ever go to a formal event, but for most things the advice "put someone else at ease" is the most important thing to take from this book.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary and helpful.