What do you think?
Rate this book
Rules for Modern Life: A Connoisseur's Survival Guide
Do gentlemen wear shorts? What are the rules regarding interior decor in a high-security prison? Is it ever acceptable to send Valentine's cards to one's pets? The twenty-first century is an age of innumerable social conundrums. Around every corner lies a potential faux pas waiting to happen. But if you've ever struggled for the right response to an unwelcome gift or floundered for conversation at the dinner party from hell, fear help is at hand. In Rules for Modern Life, Sir David Tang, resident agony uncle at the Financial Times, delivers a satirical masterclass in navigating the social niceties of modern life. Whether you're unsure of the etiquette of doggy bags or wondering whether a massage room in your second home would be de trop, Sir David has the answer to all your social anxieties - and much more besides.
- GenresHumorNonfiction
215 pages, Hardcover
Published November 3, 2016
78 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 7, 2019
I am not surprised to see varying ratings, yet I am surprised to see how little reviews there are from those who have awarded the book 4 or 5 stars.
Though, it is indeed hard to write/ pinpoint what exactly is so good about this book, and why I have been so entertained. So instead my review will be a half-response to the reviews from the 2-star or 3-star reviews, so that one might have a different point of view before deciding to purchase the book or not.
Sir David Tang has class. As stated in the title, it is a conoisseur’s view towards life (whether it is meant as a joke or not), and hence of course it will not be something quite a huge percentage of the world’s population can really fully comprehend. But it is a good way to glimpse into how a certain class functions. Furthermore, his tips are not completely impractical - such as his advice against placing a white grand piano in the living room, since a piano is primarily for playing. Or not wearing something completely new when going hunting - it actually is common sense, upon deeper reflection, and even those who do not hunt probably can imagine that it is muddy. (I, for one, do not hunt.) Furthermore, there are tips which are pretty good - such as sitting at a station with a cornish pastry and a diet Coke on a Valentine’s Day and identifying the Seven Ages of Man on passer-bys - to pre-empt the complaint that a lot would not have the privilege to be educated in a British boarding school and hence would not be acquainted with Shakespeare, Sir David has provided the author’s name, and everything else is readily available on Google. As Sir David has pointed out towards the end of the book, he first arrived the United Kingdom not knowing much English - this is actually an inspiration to those aspiring to taste. At least the more accessible ones, I am not talking about the portraits he would have hung at home, or the brands he would normally have worn, or the people he usually would consort with when he was alive.
Furthermore, what impressed me the most was his reaction - there were some questions which sounded very much a challenge. His responses demonstrate somebody with a lot of wit, and at the same time not losing dignity. Now this, is really the manifestation of a true connoisseur.
May Sir David rest in peace.
Though, it is indeed hard to write/ pinpoint what exactly is so good about this book, and why I have been so entertained. So instead my review will be a half-response to the reviews from the 2-star or 3-star reviews, so that one might have a different point of view before deciding to purchase the book or not.
Sir David Tang has class. As stated in the title, it is a conoisseur’s view towards life (whether it is meant as a joke or not), and hence of course it will not be something quite a huge percentage of the world’s population can really fully comprehend. But it is a good way to glimpse into how a certain class functions. Furthermore, his tips are not completely impractical - such as his advice against placing a white grand piano in the living room, since a piano is primarily for playing. Or not wearing something completely new when going hunting - it actually is common sense, upon deeper reflection, and even those who do not hunt probably can imagine that it is muddy. (I, for one, do not hunt.) Furthermore, there are tips which are pretty good - such as sitting at a station with a cornish pastry and a diet Coke on a Valentine’s Day and identifying the Seven Ages of Man on passer-bys - to pre-empt the complaint that a lot would not have the privilege to be educated in a British boarding school and hence would not be acquainted with Shakespeare, Sir David has provided the author’s name, and everything else is readily available on Google. As Sir David has pointed out towards the end of the book, he first arrived the United Kingdom not knowing much English - this is actually an inspiration to those aspiring to taste. At least the more accessible ones, I am not talking about the portraits he would have hung at home, or the brands he would normally have worn, or the people he usually would consort with when he was alive.
Furthermore, what impressed me the most was his reaction - there were some questions which sounded very much a challenge. His responses demonstrate somebody with a lot of wit, and at the same time not losing dignity. Now this, is really the manifestation of a true connoisseur.
May Sir David rest in peace.
July 12, 2023
Sir David was without a doubt an amusing author. He clearly lived quite the colorful life.
However about a good chunk of his advice is simply bad. If one were to attempt to live their lives based on this book, one would be a very confused person. Sir David was definitely a hypocrite who demonstrated it by frequently contradicting himself throughout this book. This becomes even more apparent when you notice he's rather repetitive at times, doling out the same contradictory advice over and over and over again. In addition the incessant name dropping is quite obvious and his seemingly random attacks on the submitters are rather odd.
The reason this book earned a 3/5 instead of say a 2 or 1 is two fold: 1) I suspect Sir David knew he was combative and hypocritical and much of his advice was rather useless (he somewhat acknowledges this in the introduction) but his simply doesn't care, which I respect. 2) Despite all of this he was still a highly entertaining author.
Sir David's writing is a bit like the old TV show "Pimp My Ride": Would you want to drive that car? Hell no. Was it still fun to watch? Yes.
However about a good chunk of his advice is simply bad. If one were to attempt to live their lives based on this book, one would be a very confused person. Sir David was definitely a hypocrite who demonstrated it by frequently contradicting himself throughout this book. This becomes even more apparent when you notice he's rather repetitive at times, doling out the same contradictory advice over and over and over again. In addition the incessant name dropping is quite obvious and his seemingly random attacks on the submitters are rather odd.
The reason this book earned a 3/5 instead of say a 2 or 1 is two fold: 1) I suspect Sir David knew he was combative and hypocritical and much of his advice was rather useless (he somewhat acknowledges this in the introduction) but his simply doesn't care, which I respect. 2) Despite all of this he was still a highly entertaining author.
Sir David's writing is a bit like the old TV show "Pimp My Ride": Would you want to drive that car? Hell no. Was it still fun to watch? Yes.
January 8, 2017
Initially entertaining, but 200 pages of trivial and usually pretentious tidbits becomes uninteresting. While SDT's obnoxious and old school style can be fun to read, it's best digested in its short FT column format.
February 12, 2017
Awful book. The middle class satire is lost on my working class roots. Contrived and snobbish and lacking any relativity to 99% of the world's population and their everyday lives. What it would be to live with such 1st world problems.
May 10, 2020
A gem. For Sir David's fans only. Otherwise, don’t bother.
April 30, 2021
It's full of observation and sarcasm, rude when the joke is applicable to you, but everything else, it's entertaining as hell.
June 24, 2018
Droll account of how to lead life from the master of ironies and irreverence. More gently humorous rather than a how to book. Makes it rather readable. But more applicable for the male connoisseur.
September 22, 2022
It's a journey of learning ideal behaviour through his eyes that is amusing and entertainment in equal parts. Some of it is unrelatable like shooting dinners that I never have been unless you are very well to do I imagine but most of it is at least somewhat relatable for us peasants. This is in a Q&A format but don't let that put you off as it is definitely worth a read for the entertainment alone. There are so many little situations in each major topic Mr.Tang discusses, it's hard to remember all of it. His honesty and no BS shines through in his opinions which makes it a more pleasurable read. Learning a few words I didn't know in the English language that he or his readers who ask him, repeat throughout the Q&A, is a bonus.
April 25, 2018
The book is comprised of questions, sent by readers to Sir David Tang’s column in Financial Times. The subjects range from fashion to relationships to good conduct in various situations and the authors opinion on a number of issues.
At its best, this book is funny, witty, and entertaining. Memorable even. Sadly, most of it is tedious, snobby, and lazy, often avoiding the subjects with self-important drivel, making the author come off as obnoxious and contrived rather than urbane and deadpan - which I assume was the aim.
I was disappointed as it came recommended in more than one list of “must read" books. Overrated and insipid.
At its best, this book is funny, witty, and entertaining. Memorable even. Sadly, most of it is tedious, snobby, and lazy, often avoiding the subjects with self-important drivel, making the author come off as obnoxious and contrived rather than urbane and deadpan - which I assume was the aim.
I was disappointed as it came recommended in more than one list of “must read" books. Overrated and insipid.
April 5, 2020
"If you were to let out a loud burp towards the end of a repast, I would hope to do so among Chinese or Indians, who wouldn't care, rather than among the English or the French, who would regard it as rude"
September 27, 2020
An anthology of honest, hearty and witty replies and retorts. Not meant to provide serious solutions to every question. An exceeding good read for those who cherishes great English writing and humours. Irrelevant or offensive for the practical minds and those who support political correctness.
December 9, 2025
I mean, rest in peace Sir David Tang, we love you over here but these advices tried so hard it’s a bit cringe really. I mean, how is Scriabin erotic and look everybody knows Scriabin it’s not impressive or witty or anything to name drop Scriabin randomly, uncle.
August 28, 2018
Read as satire, and you will enjoy this book. Not to be taken too seriously, and don't get offended when the author comes off as a bit of a toff.
March 31, 2022
The author reminds me of Poirot and I really like when Poirot is condescending, but the thing is... Poirot is a fictional character, and unlike the author, he doesn't name drop in every paragraph.
December 31, 2022
Often nonsensical and strained attempts at cleverness. I like the idea of David Tang, but the product is a bit disappointing.
June 15, 2018
I will certainly read this book again when I want some fresh ideas or simply laugh out of a boring routine life.
Read
September 11, 2018Loved it.
A joy to read
A joy to read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews