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carolynphillipsuk's review against another edition
4.0
I choose this book based on having enjoyed a couple of Danny Wallace books in the past, Yes Man and Join Me. The first thing to say is that in this book Wallace has definitely grown up, at least a bit. Whilst still employing his trademark good humour, this book has a more serious feel to it. Based around a single incident of rudeness, Wallace then investigates a modern epidemic of rudeness. He looks to find the causes and effects of rudeness as well as to see what can be done about it. Each chapter includes an exchange with an expert working in the field, as well as anecdotal encounters from members of the public in response to a survey he put out.
I found it a slightly heavier than expected read, but still quite light and whilst it isn't groundbreaking in its conclusions, there is some interesting data on both the effects of rudeness (Never, ever be rue to a surgeon!) and on our responses to it. Worth a read.
I received a free ecopy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found it a slightly heavier than expected read, but still quite light and whilst it isn't groundbreaking in its conclusions, there is some interesting data on both the effects of rudeness (Never, ever be rue to a surgeon!) and on our responses to it. Worth a read.
I received a free ecopy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
carolynphillipsuk's review against another edition
4.0
I choose this book based on having enjoyed a couple of Danny Wallace books in the past, Yes Man and Join Me. The first thing to say is that in this book Wallace has definitely grown up, at least a bit. Whilst still employing his trademark good humour, this book has a more serious feel to it. Based around a single incident of rudeness, Wallace then investigates a modern epidemic of rudeness. He looks to find the causes and effects of rudeness as well as to see what can be done about it. Each chapter includes an exchange with an expert working in the field, as well as anecdotal encounters from members of the public in response to a survey he put out.
I found it a slightly heavier than expected read, but still quite light and whilst it isn't groundbreaking in its conclusions, there is some interesting data on both the effects of rudeness (Never, ever be rue to a surgeon!) and on our responses to it. Worth a read.
I received a free ecopy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found it a slightly heavier than expected read, but still quite light and whilst it isn't groundbreaking in its conclusions, there is some interesting data on both the effects of rudeness (Never, ever be rue to a surgeon!) and on our responses to it. Worth a read.
I received a free ecopy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
dragonrider29's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating, insightful and extremely funny look into the rise of rudeness in the world. After a dreadful experience when purchasing a hot dog Danny Wallace sets out to discover why we are rude, how we are rude, what the consequences are of being rude and we should all just stop it. Whilst it is littered with hilarious examples of rudeness and Danny Wallace's usual erudite wit it doesn't fail to shine a light on the seriousness of our less pleasant behaviours and it made me much more inclined to try to be pleasant to everyone I meet and to really think about my behaviour towards my fellow man. Both a joy to read and an thought provoking behaviour changing book.
bioniclib's review against another edition
4.0
What do you get when a journalist waits over an hour for a hot dog only to be thrown out for having the nerve to ask where his lunch is? This book.
I was a little concerned a book about rudeness would come across as the weak-willed crotchety whining of someone who perceived they were wronged. But it didn’t turn out that way at all. He found that there has been academic studies and social experiments around the world that have tried to find out why people are rude. He wasn’t the first to tackle this subject and after reading the book, I’m sure he won’t be the last.
Some of what is considered rude is determined by the culture. When the cultures come into contact intentional rudeness occurs. How the French view Japanese tourists is a great example he gives. But even within a culture, there can be rudeness clashes. He also points to the lack of women in high positions of power. Those that made it are considered to have gotten ahead by being a bitch. Yet, if those same actions were performed by a man, he would be called “determined”.
There are many other facets of rudeness that he explores but I wanted to just mention two others: driving and Trump. Because, let’s face it, he had to. He makes really good points about both of them. He writing style is quick and funny. It’s a really good read about are really misunderstood topic.
I was a little concerned a book about rudeness would come across as the weak-willed crotchety whining of someone who perceived they were wronged. But it didn’t turn out that way at all. He found that there has been academic studies and social experiments around the world that have tried to find out why people are rude. He wasn’t the first to tackle this subject and after reading the book, I’m sure he won’t be the last.
Some of what is considered rude is determined by the culture. When the cultures come into contact intentional rudeness occurs. How the French view Japanese tourists is a great example he gives. But even within a culture, there can be rudeness clashes. He also points to the lack of women in high positions of power. Those that made it are considered to have gotten ahead by being a bitch. Yet, if those same actions were performed by a man, he would be called “determined”.
There are many other facets of rudeness that he explores but I wanted to just mention two others: driving and Trump. Because, let’s face it, he had to. He makes really good points about both of them. He writing style is quick and funny. It’s a really good read about are really misunderstood topic.
porcelainbluebird's review against another edition
4.0
A very British rant about rudeness. Full of interesting discussion points & facts from around the world. I always enjoy Wallace's writing style & this was as good as usual. Chapters are a good length, making it easier for this new Mum to fit in short reading 'bursts' too
saucydoorhandles's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This was a really interesting book to read. I now know why my brain refuses to tune out of phone calls on speakerphone despite doing my best attempt to ignore the sound. It talks about a lot of fascinating experiments around the subject matter. I didn't know about a lot of them so it was eye opening. I mean, the fact that your surgeon could be effected by the rudeness of a stranger is scary. It made think about those times that we had stuff going on and might have come across as rude to others without meaning to do so. Or we know that person who has a habit of taking their bad mood onto people who never deserve it. I mean, just go into a shop and stand by the tills. You will see a lot of horrible human behaviour. It's like the old saying "We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions", which is very true for a lot of people including myself. I do wish there were more chapters about rudeness on the internet as that is becoming a huge problem. So I would've loved to see if there were more research in that area. But I enjoyed the book neverless and I would reccomend it.
This was a really interesting book to read. I now know why my brain refuses to tune out of phone calls on speakerphone despite doing my best attempt to ignore the sound. It talks about a lot of fascinating experiments around the subject matter. I didn't know about a lot of them so it was eye opening. I mean, the fact that your surgeon could be effected by the rudeness of a stranger is scary. It made think about those times that we had stuff going on and might have come across as rude to others without meaning to do so. Or we know that person who has a habit of taking their bad mood onto people who never deserve it. I mean, just go into a shop and stand by the tills. You will see a lot of horrible human behaviour. It's like the old saying "We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions", which is very true for a lot of people including myself. I do wish there were more chapters about rudeness on the internet as that is becoming a huge problem. So I would've loved to see if there were more research in that area. But I enjoyed the book neverless and I would reccomend it.
helenfrench's review against another edition
4.0
A book about rudeness that really shouldn't need the F*** You title to get attention.
I enjoyed this slightly rambling foray into the psychology of rudeness. Wallace's 'inciting incident' - a server yelling at him about an hour-long wait for a hotdog - is both mild and rude enough to evoke sympathy and help readers 'get' what the book is about, ie not only why people are rude, but why we can't help but react emotionally - and while we can carry about feelings of anger about rudeness for so long.
Rudeness is contagious, he says, and I can see that for myself. One act of rudeness leads to someone feeling mistreated, who goes on to be rude to someone else and so on. But does anyone feel better afterwards? Unlikely.
I particularly liked the story of Wallace coming face-to-face with a Twitter troll - who hasn't dreamt of revenge upon someone who was WRONG ON THE INTERNET?
I enjoyed this slightly rambling foray into the psychology of rudeness. Wallace's 'inciting incident' - a server yelling at him about an hour-long wait for a hotdog - is both mild and rude enough to evoke sympathy and help readers 'get' what the book is about, ie not only why people are rude, but why we can't help but react emotionally - and while we can carry about feelings of anger about rudeness for so long.
Rudeness is contagious, he says, and I can see that for myself. One act of rudeness leads to someone feeling mistreated, who goes on to be rude to someone else and so on. But does anyone feel better afterwards? Unlikely.
I particularly liked the story of Wallace coming face-to-face with a Twitter troll - who hasn't dreamt of revenge upon someone who was WRONG ON THE INTERNET?
daviddevaal's review against another edition
3.0
Leuk boek, ook al omdat het me gelijk geeft in mijn ergernis over mensen die zonder iets tegen de kassaman/vrouw te zeggen hun boodschappen inladen en vertrekken. Grappige (maar minder dan blurb beweert) verkenning van onbeleefdheid, met een meer uitgebreide bibliografie dan ik verwacht had.