A Guide to Australian Etiquette

by Ita Buttrose

'Good manners give a person increased self-confidence and the ability to be at ease in most situations. Good manners mean being kind and thoughtful to others, making allowances for their shortcomings, and being considerate about their feelings.'

Ita Buttrose has been an inspiration to generations of Australian women. In the course of her phenomenal media career she has seen how important etiquette is in every aspect of life, from the personal to the professional. Correct etiquette not only ensures that a meal will be pleasant or a wedding will run smoothly, it can also make or break a career.

If you want to know how to:

* organise a wedding, from choosing a dress to deciding who sits where
* arrange a funeral
* prevent 'trolley rage' at the supermarket
* get in and out of a lift without it turning into a football scrum
* be the perfect guest at a dinner party
* host a business lunch
* carve a roast
* make a speech
* behave in a mosque

Ita is the woman to ask

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Asiuol K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the information was obvious. The kind of people who need to read the book (and you know who they are) will probably not even pick it up.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ita Buttrose is known within Australia as being the expert on ettiquette. Her appearances on television always show her to be a humour person with impeccable manners.

This guide to Australian ettiquette covers everything from how to carve a roast to defriending someone on facebook (never do so without explaining why). The book has plenty of great information for social occasions explaining the nuances of dining out (it's okay to read a book if you are alone), having company (start the meal if the guests are an hour late) and toilet breaks at the cinema (don't put your bottom in their faces).

The book is perhaps a little heavy on wedding ettiquette (with over one quarter of the book dedicated to it) and her attitude towards children while in public is very much that they should be seen but not heard.

Written by the Australian expert on ettiquette this book is full of practical advice on everything from eating utensils and mobile manners to the difference between formal and semi-formal. She even details the correct etiquette for hanging up on somebody!!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to think everyone should read at least one etiquette book. This one is a lovely one to read. It's quite entertaining and well set out with headings throughout. A little heavy on wedding etiquette I suppose, and it tends to be a "guide to tough situations" toward the end (what to do when someone dies, speech making) but I don't think the book is worse for it. I especially liked the sections regarding dining/ceremonies and other cultures and religions. It can always be a bit awkward to know what to bring/how to act - this book covers those situations succinctly. Now I've read it I'm sure I'll refer back to specifics. My favourite bits are where she really lays down the law - phrases like "don't do it", "it's uncivilised", "revolting" and "equally unacceptable." Hear, hear!

[Steve Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ita's etiquette books, but who knew (with several chapters dedicated to this topic) that weddings were so complicated? I learnt lots in reading this... which probably says more about me than I should be sharing publicly.

[Bronwyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Focuses a lot on the etiquette involved in organising and running events, rather than ow to behave when attending them.