21st-Century Etiquette: Charlotte Ford's Guide to Manners for the Modern Age [Paperback]

Charlotte Ford (Author), Jacqueline deMontravel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2003

From high-speed communication to alternative lifestyles, modern life is rapidly rendering old etiquette rules obsolete. In this helpful guide, doyenne of decorum Charlotte Ford takes the mystery out of modern propriety with unstuffy, reliable advice on how to behave and skillfully solve every social conundrum. Ms. Ford tackles cell phone civility, dating and the single life, workplace propriety, dressing appropriately, entertaining, email and other correspondence, handling divorce and other life challenges; as well as everyday etiquette for the gym, smoking, tipping, and more. Readers will welcome Ms. Ford's useful advice, all of which originates in common sense and respect for others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Ford instructs on how to maintain civility in our fast-paced, high-tech world." -- Publisher's Weekly, August 13, 2001

"...Ford leaves no subject untouched..." -- Hour Detroit, November 2001

"...all about manners for the modern age." -- New York Post, October 31, 2001

"...an expert on social graces and all that sort of thing." -- WWD WEDNESDAY, November 14, 2001

"Ford deals with the changes in society...but points out that good manners and kindness transcend the ages." -- Detroit News, November, 19, 2001

"Now, that's etiquette for the 21st century. Goodbye, greedy life." -- Gotham, November 2001 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

What's the proper way to address a business colleague over email? Is it a social faux pas to use one's cell phone on a commuter train? What's a polite way to get out of a second date? Nowadays it seems the old rules of etiquette are changing faster than we can keep up with them. Technology that accelerates communication; alternative lifestyles and family arrangements; tele-commuting and other unconventional career situations all conspire to render many of the rules of generations past obsolete. Amidst such changes many of us are at a loss for how to behave with good manners and grace. In 21st-Century Etiquette, Charlotte Ford, a doyenne of decorum in her own right, takes the mystery out of modern propriety and reminds us that polite behavior comes down to a simple matter of common sense and treating others with respect. Never stuffy and always direct, she offers reliable advice for every area of contemporary life and every conceivable social conundrum including: cell phone civility; dating and the single life; modern marriages and alternative lifestyles; propriety in the workplace; dressing for all occasions; entertaining from easy to extravagant; correspondence including email, invitations, and condolence cards; handling divorce, illness, and other of life's challenges; everyday etiquette concerning the gym, smoking, tipping, gift giving, and more.Peppered throughout with personal essays from some of today's most poised and successful communicators, including Cokie Roberts and Helen Gurley Brown, as well as helpful lists of etiquette "do's and don'ts," 21st-Century Etiquette is a delightfully readable and immensely useful guide that is sure to set the standard for a brand-new century of civility. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 304 pages, illustrations)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (April 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142003123
• ISBN-13: 978-0142003121
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,608,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The lost art of manners..., January 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Twenty-First-Century Etiquette (Hardcover)

In today's world it seems the last thing on everyone's mind are manners and civility.

This book touches on all facets of modern manners, everything from cell phone etiquitte to appropriate wardrobe for funerals.

An especially helpful section in the book which deals with removing one's foot from one's mouth. This was the most helpful section of the book. You will be able to recover with some grace and diginity if you ever say the wrong thing.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money, July 8, 2002

By 

Lindsay R (Minnetonka, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twenty-First-Century Etiquette (Hardcover)

Unless you are a total jerk, you probably already know 90% of what is written in this book. Of course, most jerks aren't interested in reading about etiquitte, so this book is rather pointless. For me it was mostly common sense. There were a few good tips, but I wouldn't recommend buying the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Mod Etiquette Book !!, March 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: 21st-Century Etiquette: Charlotte Ford's Guide to Manners for the Modern Age (Paperback)

A very nice complement to my Emily Post Etiquette book. I use Emily's guidance for more formal matters and use Charlotte's for situations that are more current. I had the sad occasion to write a sympathy note recently. I didn't even know how to begin. Charlotte's book was so helpful, it got me started and then guided me how to personalize my sentiment.

It's also just a plain, old fun read!