English Etiquette: The Motivation Behind the Manners

by The Darling Academy, Alena Kate Pettitt

How to be really very nice indeed, just like the English! Learn the ins and outs of British behaviour, how to dress like a lady or a gentleman, and why the use of the correct fork really isn't the be all and end all of good manners, despite what others would have you believe.

From the back cover:

This is not another etiquette book detailing the antiquated, excruciating, and frankly confusing minefield of rules lauded by traditionalists. Let’s face it, many of us will never need to know which side a snail fork should be placed at the dinner table, nor are we likely to ‘take tea’ with the Queen. Yet we could all do with a little help in perfecting our manners, self-confidence, and social graces for everyday living.

English Etiquette details everything the English know about why etiquette matters, in a modern, understandable, and unpretentious way – while teaching you how to cultivate a traditional and charming countenance to rival any royal.

Covering topics such as gallantry and grace, common decency, lifestyle choices, the quintessential English wardrobe, and behaviour in the home, you will learn how to shoehorn a little English gentility from this practical field guide into your daily life.

So pull your socks up ladies and gentlemen, pour yourself a cup of tea, and join The Darling Academy as we return to a culture of good manners, civility, and chivalry the world is longing for.

A proper, polite, and graceful way of living is making a comeback. Long may it prevail.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development

268 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2019

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all could use a reminder of good etiquette.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have rated English Etiquette 2 out of 5. The book could’ve been shorter in length. I don’t think any man is going to read English Etiquette, so I don’t think A Gentleman’s Wardrobe chapter was required. In fact the ladies chapter was shorter than that for the Gentleman!

I also found the section on Woman’s Grooming to be a little chemical phobic. In recent years the press have instilled a sense of fear when it comes to parabens and synthetic ingredients. In fact there is more strategic testing when it comes to these products than a so called natural alternative.

Alena has since posted on social media that she uses conventional products and not the so called clean beauty she advocates in her book.

My advice is to not take the recommendations of products or brands as the be all and end all. Do your own research, find your favourites and stick with them.

[ajj406 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I loved this more than Ladies Like Us. Some of the information in the two books was the same with regards to responsible alcohol consumption and proper posture for women. This made it easier to read through the book since the information wasn’t new. But I did love the focus on clothing, homekeeping, and diet. I also loved the focus on proper etiquette being kind and considerate to others so a specific set of detailed rules.

[Allison G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was obviously self-published and really could have used an editor. There were numerous grammatical errors and waaaaaay too many pages on over-imbibing. I mean, a ridiculous amount of space on the subject of drinking. I didn’t find much that was particular to England either, which was a disappointment.

[Marcole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit long at times, but enough little gems of wisdom to make me glad this is on my shelf and to pick it back up for some occasional "etiquette refreshers". And couldn't we all do with that from time to time?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book with many excellent reminders.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the majority of this book. It reads in a similar way to a conversation with a close friend. It’s honest, corrective and at points does go off on a little tangent. I feel this adds to the charm and subject of this book. It is packed with some fantastic reminders about what good manners look like, asides from the obvious ‘please, thank you’. As a new mother it has made me asses what I want the respect and everyday manners to look like in my home. One that will definitely be practiced until it’s embedded into our nature is knocking on closed doors. So simple, so respectful to everyone’s boundaries.
However, I found the two sections dedicated to clothing (gentlemen’s and a ladies wardrobe) went on a bit too long for my personal liking and took focus away from the rest of the book which I loved.

[KathleenB · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is little actual history or real exposition behind the why beyond 'that's just how its done' . The assumption is that the rest of the world follows the same rules, which is not true. Even though it pretends to be modern, it's very much not.