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lijon's review against another edition
2.0
This was ok. There was a very funny section about buying an odd number of bananas in Japan, but other than that, meh.
marziesreads's review against another edition
3.0
Not really a book about manners, Alford's work is more about culture. It is amusing in places and basically, it's a diverting occasional read. It took me weeks to finish it because its not that compelling (not that every book should be) but the humor of some of his stories sticks with you.
moreadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I'm going to go with ironic on this one, since Alford is trying to school us on manners and yet he seems like a real jerk.
lutheranjulia's review against another edition
3.0
Very funny and a witty concept. The book is informational and conversational in tone.
saralynnburnett's review
3.0
This book was a quick, fun read. Henry Alford is very funny and I found myself chuckling throughout. I especially enjoyed the beginning of his journey through the ins and outs of modern day manners because he went to the (as he calls it) 'Fort Knox of manners' - Japan. After this, he delves into all sorts of American social situations movie theatre "sushers," unresponsive party guests, play dates for your children, wedding invitations, vegetable trading (for real), reverse apologies, false compliments, and so on and so forth... but one area I found lacking that I wish he would have had more to say about was social media. To de-friend or not to de-friend, to block or not to block, do you point out inaccuracies on facebook or 'save face' on facebook? Or what about those friends who seem to enjoy your company when you invite them out, but yet have never once invited you out? Is that a hint, or cluelessness? Or digital family drama? - can you de-friend your uncle without causing a rift or do you sit back and let him prattle on all over your post? I would have liked more of his hilarious commentary on that end.
Anyway - it was a throughly enjoyable read though it didn't really present anything new or thought provoking - mostly a lot of laughs, which fit the bill for a lazy Sunday.
Anyway - it was a throughly enjoyable read though it didn't really present anything new or thought provoking - mostly a lot of laughs, which fit the bill for a lazy Sunday.
hcq's review
2.0
Very uneven. I'm always up for a new sense of perspective: "People are always saying how manners today have hit rock bottom, but have you ever read about the things that were considered perfectly normal to do in public three hundred years ago? My God!"
I also liked his musings on etiquette columns, why they interest us and how hard they are to write (including a mention of Umberto Eco, comparing the appeal of etiquette columns to the appeal of lists).
But, I hated, hated, hated his game of Touch the Waiter (as does everyone, apparently; it was mentioned with a sort of horrified fascination in every review I read, and even my husband commented on it). So creepy! I can't imagine the horror of going out to eat with this author. It's bad enough on its own, but then to encounter it in the context of a book on manners?
I simply cannot imagine why the editor of this book allowed that bit to stay. It was like a pickle on a sandwich plate; its icky juice poisoned everything it touched.
I also liked his musings on etiquette columns, why they interest us and how hard they are to write (including a mention of Umberto Eco, comparing the appeal of etiquette columns to the appeal of lists).
But, I hated, hated, hated his game of Touch the Waiter (as does everyone, apparently; it was mentioned with a sort of horrified fascination in every review I read, and even my husband commented on it). So creepy! I can't imagine the horror of going out to eat with this author. It's bad enough on its own, but then to encounter it in the context of a book on manners?
I simply cannot imagine why the editor of this book allowed that bit to stay. It was like a pickle on a sandwich plate; its icky juice poisoned everything it touched.
julieputty's review
4.0
It made me laugh out loud a few times, which is unusual for a book. If you're looking for a real guide to manners, this ain't it.
marziesreads's review
3.0
Not really a book about manners, Alford's work is more about culture. It is amusing in places and basically, it's a diverting occasional read. It took me weeks to finish it because its not that compelling (not that every book should be) but the humor of some of his stories sticks with you.
karend's review
3.0
Despite the subtitle, this isn't a manual. It's more like an etiquette-focused memoir. The index is worth reading for laughs; this is no reference book.
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