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zoefruitcake's review against another edition
4.0
Like most people I am pretty polite and considerate about 98% of the time but some days I can be incredibly rude. After a rude encounter Danny Wallace investigated rudeness today and shows how every tiny bit of rudeness troubles us all
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
This was a departure from Danny Wallace's previous books. Others (aside from his fiction work) had been mainly personal memoirs with interviews and exploration sprinkled throughout. This new book is more in the vein of Jon Ronson or Malcolm Gladwell, in that he is researching multiple aspects of an idea and exploring its heritage. That idea is rudeness.
When I began the book, I thought it was the small, intangible idea to be researching but Wallace proved that to be an unfounded idea. With his humour, strong research ability, and curiosity, he has shown that, not only is it a topic worth discussing, but that he is the man to lead the charge.
I found it had me reconsidering the rudeness around me and looking at it from different angles. It was an interesting read and I think for anyone who is a fan of Ronson or Gladwell, you'll enjoy this book.
When I began the book, I thought it was the small, intangible idea to be researching but Wallace proved that to be an unfounded idea. With his humour, strong research ability, and curiosity, he has shown that, not only is it a topic worth discussing, but that he is the man to lead the charge.
I found it had me reconsidering the rudeness around me and looking at it from different angles. It was an interesting read and I think for anyone who is a fan of Ronson or Gladwell, you'll enjoy this book.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating look at rudeness - very funny and had me pondering
We've all done it - not let another driver in, wished ill on somebody who didn't open a door for us - rudeness is all around us and nobody is immune from either giving or receiving it.
Danny Wallace has here done his own 'study' in the wake of a rather brutal encounter with a provider of hot meat products (hot dog seller) and examines both hers and his own behaviour in the light of his findings, as well as including facts and stories from around the world, situations we'll all find familiar.
It's a truly fascinating read, and Wallace has is deft touch with a comic turn of phrase.
"As a man myself, I'm not sure how my testes compare to the national average, but I'd say all three are perfectly normal." Yes, there's a little bit of swearing and fruity language, but those familiar with Wallace would expect no less.
Situations he mentions are brought up again later and in doing so, the reference raises many a chuckle.
It's bang up to do date as well, talking about Donald Trump's election as US President: "rude people get ahead". He doesn't hold back from his own opinions and I found this very refreshing, the target was well-aimed and chosen.
I certainly examined my own behaviours and habits as I went along and do agree with the author that
"we need politeness because it is right" and that "the important thing to realise is that civilisation involves being civilised."
You are likely to read this and form a resolution or two, one of which may involve avoiding a particular fast food seller, another to do with being nicer and more patient with people.
A very witty and erudite book, one we could all do with reading.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy, provided for review purposes.
We've all done it - not let another driver in, wished ill on somebody who didn't open a door for us - rudeness is all around us and nobody is immune from either giving or receiving it.
Danny Wallace has here done his own 'study' in the wake of a rather brutal encounter with a provider of hot meat products (hot dog seller) and examines both hers and his own behaviour in the light of his findings, as well as including facts and stories from around the world, situations we'll all find familiar.
It's a truly fascinating read, and Wallace has is deft touch with a comic turn of phrase.
"As a man myself, I'm not sure how my testes compare to the national average, but I'd say all three are perfectly normal." Yes, there's a little bit of swearing and fruity language, but those familiar with Wallace would expect no less.
Situations he mentions are brought up again later and in doing so, the reference raises many a chuckle.
It's bang up to do date as well, talking about Donald Trump's election as US President: "rude people get ahead". He doesn't hold back from his own opinions and I found this very refreshing, the target was well-aimed and chosen.
I certainly examined my own behaviours and habits as I went along and do agree with the author that
"we need politeness because it is right" and that "the important thing to realise is that civilisation involves being civilised."
You are likely to read this and form a resolution or two, one of which may involve avoiding a particular fast food seller, another to do with being nicer and more patient with people.
A very witty and erudite book, one we could all do with reading.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy, provided for review purposes.
philippakmoore's review
4.0
A rallying cry for a return to basic courtesy and human decency, this is a book that is funny, well written and very educational. The Hot Dog Incident, which started Wallace's fascination with the rise of rudeness, is an extreme example of the kind of interactions nearly all of us have regularly, mostly with total strangers. Wallace examines this through research, observation and a light touch. If you despair for humanity sometimes, reading this book will make you feel less alone and also encouraged to be less tolerant of rudeness when you encounter it (and how to combat it). Because it's not your imagination - people are ruder than they used to be. And this book goes some way to explaining why, and why it is a contagious, vicious circle we must work harder as a society to break. Well worth a read.
wednesday_mouse's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
readily_reads's review
4.0
Interesting book of rudeness not sure he really explored what we can do about it though.
craftyemma's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Reading the blurb I thought this book would truly explain the psychology behind rude ess and give some real-life examples of people's experiences.
However, it is born from one incident in the author's life that he just can't let go of and it comes up multiple times in the book. I had to skim read, just stopping for the case studies, as I got very bored of him going over the same conversation he had with one woman some years ago.
However, it is born from one incident in the author's life that he just can't let go of and it comes up multiple times in the book. I had to skim read, just stopping for the case studies, as I got very bored of him going over the same conversation he had with one woman some years ago.