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How to Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged
Is there any polite way to shush a chatty person at the movies? Should roller bladers be passed on the left side or the right side? When is it unacceptable to answer your cell phone? And why doesn t anyone in your grocery store seem to understand the basic rules of shopping cart navigation and right-of-way?
If you ve ever pondered these kinds of questions, How to Behave is the book you ve been waiting a hip, irreverent, but entirely practical guide to proper behavior in the twenty-first century. Here are dozens of fascinating skills that Emily Post wouldn t even think to mention like the best ways
Share elbow space on an airplane armrest
Contend with road rage
Position yourself when boarding a crowded elevator
Observe basic e-mail etiquette
Speak on a cell phone without enraging others
. . . plus dozens of other essential survival techniques. Much more than a simple etiquette book, How to Behave is a real-life guide to living in the real world.
If you ve ever pondered these kinds of questions, How to Behave is the book you ve been waiting a hip, irreverent, but entirely practical guide to proper behavior in the twenty-first century. Here are dozens of fascinating skills that Emily Post wouldn t even think to mention like the best ways
Share elbow space on an airplane armrest
Contend with road rage
Position yourself when boarding a crowded elevator
Observe basic e-mail etiquette
Speak on a cell phone without enraging others
. . . plus dozens of other essential survival techniques. Much more than a simple etiquette book, How to Behave is a real-life guide to living in the real world.
- GenresNonfictionSelf HelpHumor
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
11 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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February 19, 2016This book is bizarre. I have read a lot of random things but do not often feel compelled to review them. This one, though. I thought it was going to be tongue in cheek but unless I'm missing something, it borders the line. There are some parts that seem to be suggestive of it being satire, others not so much. Either way, low stars for the stress this book has given me and the idea that some people actually think this way. She wrote a book on wizards so perhaps my second reaction was incorrect.
Some of the suggestions are fairly straightforward. Other tips are perhaps are gestures I would consider to be all irony. They are westrocentric, sort of selfish and fairly passive aggressive. Signs of being intolerant. There are tips that one might do in secret but really you should be ashamed of, but Caroline Tiger wrote them all down. The tips to get your arm space on a flight are amusing and slightly manipulative; though things that are useful when you're small and in a middle seat on a flight between two men who don't seem to think you deserve to take up any space. Stand your ground soldier.
If you can help it, Tiger says, avoid being the first one in a relationship to say I love you, you want to be the one with all the power. Next tip, don't say it just for sex. But not saying it so you don't look vulnerable, that's super healthy and so much better, right?
Sometimes there's that dude on the subway that is playing really loud music, with an artist that "you" hate and it is annoying. Sometimes you're that dude. This book suggests some "final extreme measures" but...not as a joke. 'Look at them, dance and mouth the words suggestively so they know how ridiculous they look.' No, lady. Don't do that. Maybe everyone else is enjoying the music. If they're not, if you really can't handle it for five minutes, be like, broseph, you're going to get tinnitus and I don't know how to chill, so do you mind turning that down. I recommend trying to calm yourself. Let go. So every minor life thing doesn't turn you into the type of person that bothers you. Perhaps, be kind. Read a book on mindfulness.
If you're reading this and agree with these methods; or you are Caroline Tiger (and this isn't just in jest) girl, I recommend therapy, yoga amd reading a whole series attachment issues and passive aggressive behaviour. And xanax.
Some of the suggestions are fairly straightforward. Other tips are perhaps are gestures I would consider to be all irony. They are westrocentric, sort of selfish and fairly passive aggressive. Signs of being intolerant. There are tips that one might do in secret but really you should be ashamed of, but Caroline Tiger wrote them all down. The tips to get your arm space on a flight are amusing and slightly manipulative; though things that are useful when you're small and in a middle seat on a flight between two men who don't seem to think you deserve to take up any space. Stand your ground soldier.
If you can help it, Tiger says, avoid being the first one in a relationship to say I love you, you want to be the one with all the power. Next tip, don't say it just for sex. But not saying it so you don't look vulnerable, that's super healthy and so much better, right?
Sometimes there's that dude on the subway that is playing really loud music, with an artist that "you" hate and it is annoying. Sometimes you're that dude. This book suggests some "final extreme measures" but...not as a joke. 'Look at them, dance and mouth the words suggestively so they know how ridiculous they look.' No, lady. Don't do that. Maybe everyone else is enjoying the music. If they're not, if you really can't handle it for five minutes, be like, broseph, you're going to get tinnitus and I don't know how to chill, so do you mind turning that down. I recommend trying to calm yourself. Let go. So every minor life thing doesn't turn you into the type of person that bothers you. Perhaps, be kind. Read a book on mindfulness.
If you're reading this and agree with these methods; or you are Caroline Tiger (and this isn't just in jest) girl, I recommend therapy, yoga amd reading a whole series attachment issues and passive aggressive behaviour. And xanax.
February 1, 2018
It was okay. What other rating can you give a book on etiquette? I read this one to fill a reading challenge blank for a book about etiquette. Sometimes this little book is helpfully serious and at other times it is humorously snarky. I'm not sure those in need of advice on manners would be able to recognize the snarkiness of some advice and maybe take it seriously.
December 31, 2018
Wow the review are so mean for this book? I thought it was tongue in cheek funny, good but not great. Solid 3.
October 31, 2023
😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
May 5, 2016
Really, I'd give it a 2.5. It was funny, but not hilariously so. It wasn't that helpful, but it was written tongue-in-cheek, so I didn't expect it to be. Plus, my version is a 2002 model (I've probably had it about that long), so it was a bit dated. Texting & social media is never mentioned (I'd be curious to hear what she would have to say about that) but email is expounded upon. I was glad to read that for America, personal space is 18". Close friends are comfortable from 18"-4', & acquaintances is 4-10'. Interacting with strangers is 10'-25'. I wish everybody knew this. People are constantly invading mine, making me wish I was a porcupine. Or a cactus. It's amazing that so much stuff needs to be spelled out for people. And I'm very thankful I don't live in the city, having to deal with issues on the subway & crammed sidewalks. But the truest line of all: "Fine manners need the support of fine manners in others."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
December 20, 2011
I borrowed this book after reading it in the newspaper. I didn't realize there were two editions and got the 2003 one. Which contains tips on using NYC subway tokens and walkmans.
Most of the tips were obvious, but it was a short read and I was entertained. I did like how it was NYC specific like with the subway and apartment building laundry room. Another NY example is that people go to the supermarket to shop and not meet people (unlike dating books which suggest otherwise.)
Most of the tips were obvious, but it was a short read and I was entertained. I did like how it was NYC specific like with the subway and apartment building laundry room. Another NY example is that people go to the supermarket to shop and not meet people (unlike dating books which suggest otherwise.)
January 8, 2015
Clever little book! I love things in this style of lists and witticisms. The writing is very funny and amusing, but the topic itself was kind of uninteresting to me. Cute book, but I wish it would've been about something else. I appreciated the sarcasm and wit, but overall I didn't love that it was about the subject of manners. I did like it, and would recommend it for light reading, but it just wasn't my favorite.
October 11, 2013
Coming from Quirk, I though this was going to be a lot better than it was. At points, it was very witty and entertaining, but at other points, some of the advice seemed pointless or a lot more serious than it ought to be. I struggled trying to grasp whether she was kidding or serious about certain aspects.
Overall, it was a lot less than I had hoped for although I do feel that Tiger has decent comedic potential.
Overall, it was a lot less than I had hoped for although I do feel that Tiger has decent comedic potential.
July 17, 2012
This is a great book. Not only does Caroline Tiger explain how to behave in everyday situations, but she also does a great job of explaining how to confront those who are not following these rules. I love the humor that she throws in as well!
May 30, 2016
more of a 2.5 than a 3. only had thr patience to skim it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews