Here are hundreds and hundreds of real people's most common complaints and the proper responses to them. Written by an eminent etiquette expert, it is a guide to how to behave well and, more importantly, how to respond to bad behavior. What are the right rules for the coffee machine at work? Why do husbands always drink from the milk carton? Why are so many retail clerks rude? This book answers all—and, more importantly, explains the proper responses to all the most common irritations. Whether you are the matriarch of an unruly family trying to keep order, or an office worker just trying to figure out how to deal with pushy or messy colleagues, this is a book for you. It's as funny as it is useful.
Who knew people were annoyed by so many things? Some of the advice that Cynthia Lett gives is very useful, although I don't really see this as an "etiquette" book. I think the book would have been more informative if she had concentrated on fewer issues that actually involve etiquette, instead of every peeve sent to her.
You know what is so annoying? An author who suggests things as a solution when those things apply to reasonable behavior by the annoyer and a willingness to change. If it were that easy we would not need any help. The author acts as if the reader is a moron and hasn’t even tried to discuss the situation rationally, hasn’t nagged, hasn’t said anything to the other person. Lett wants us to “explain to the other person that…” oh my gosh. I sure am glad I didn’t pay for this book. If they gave zero stars I would have done that.
very annoying. some of the examples that lett gives to tell other people to stop that annoying habit will get you labeled as an uptight, my-sh*t-don't-stink control freak, which is also annoying. quick read.