Customer Reviews

Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book Etiquette and Modern Manners by John Morgan, who died much too young in a tragic accident in 2000, is published by the British publishing house Debrett's, publisher of many authoritative social reference guide books. Some advice you might find overdone. However, if you follow the suggestions when in doubt you can hardly go wrong. This guide covers many things, such as entertaining, dressing or writing letters in correct style. For example, this book informs you about the correct way to address people with titles and what to do if you are invited to a shooting party. We like John Morgan?s style as he always tries to explain why an etiquette would make sense. For some it might be an old fashioned thing of the past, but if you would like to be prepared for that social occasion, this book will give you some reliable advice.

Author John Morgan has successfully compiled modern changes and adaptations to the traditional code of civilized behavior in the form of "Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette & Modern Manners: The Indispensible Guidebook."

Morgan covers nearly every social situation imaginable and offers the very best of tradional standards with the latest rules of grace and etiquette.

The text is divided into two parts. Part I, "Rites of Passage," of the volume advises on situations from Births and Baptisms; Weddings, Separation and Divorce, Remarriage, and Deaths and Funerals. Part II, "Social Life," advises on proper form at Royal, Diplomatic and Other Formal Occasions; the Written Word, the Spoken Word, Perosnal Relationships, Manners, Entertaining, Business Manners, Dress, and more.

Suffice to say that any text offering advice upon the topics of form, decorum, manner, address, etc. has much to offer to and is thus worth much to society. Without reservation a five star rating.

This book is an excellent resource for tips on manners from mobile telephone and internet etiquette to throwing a party for the Queen. Almost all of the tips are correct - though I have my doubts about the suggestion that a man help a lady into a taxi and then follow her in through the same door (forcing her to slide along the taxi seat).

The biggest problem I found with this book was the author's occasionally affected style of writing and the frequent use of non-English phrases (which is considered extremely bad form in written English). I was very surprised that the master of modern manners would be lacking in knowledge of the rules of good English writing.

Despite its shortcomings, this is still an essential book. I give it four stars because its content is so useful. It loses a star because of the affectation and poor English style.

I found this book most amusing. First of all it is, for me, quite intriguing to compare the do's and don't's in UK with the same in Sweden. I have actually used some of the examples in the book in some of my courses in Sociology in terms of transcultural sensitivity and intercultural encounters. Secondly it is a bit amazing to get a glimpse of British upper as well as upper-middle class and their "stiff upper lip". Whatever the splendid author says in the introduction in terms of "classlessness" he is nevertheless concentrating/focussing - for obvious reasons - on this. To some of my friends I have said something like; read it, ponder about it, and weep!

This book is full of information on how to steer your way through most social situations. At times, it is very amusing and entertaining as it seems a bit over the top but the information is invaluable if you are attending high end social events or just want to know how to behave in a more refined fashion.

I recommend this book for individuals who are at least part-time residents of the UK. The book primarily addresses UK etiquette, and when there's room something about "America" is thrown in. Much of the book is useless to an American citizen on a practical level, but perhaps a fine reference of another culture nonetheless.

Some people read cook books. Some people read garden tips. I read etiquette books, old and new, domestic and foreign. I like this about one, or that about another. This wonderful book is delightful. It is in many fewer sections than the Vanderbilt or Post. It sort of heads things out in the universal take (with something of a more Anglo sensibility than Post is say "American" but it works in the writing style) then with the slight variations for subsets of areas of difference (religion or regional et cet) The author has a very droll sense of style and humor that is appealing. I know that I haven't mentioned how it is as a reference book- it is good. Granted, I haven't received my invitation from the palace yet, but should I -- it lays out exactly what one should and should not do. Highly recommended, highly enjoyed.

This book is an absolute waste of good money.
I know now, how to address the eldest son of a Scottish peer at the Henley Regatta, but not an ambassador or a Consul at a much more frequent dinner party!

That the bottle of Port should never be handed clockwise may be a nice tradition we should hold on to, but where do the hands belong at a table when they are not busy eating? Where does the left one remain when drinking? etc. etc. etc.

I would have expected a Guide for the 21st Century.

Any offers for a second hand issue..... just kidding I wouldn't want it on my concience.

I purchased this book in error. When I ordered it, I did not appreciate that it is considered "BRITAIN'S most authoritative etiquette guide". I was looking for some guidance on U.S.manners and etiquette. Amazon's write up does not make it clear that this book addresses British etiquette. I'm sure its a great book for what it is, i.e. if you are travelling or relocating to Brittain. For good ol' American do's and dont's you'd best stick with Miss Manners. I mistakenly purchased this book because I wanted to update my 20 year old edition of Miss Manners.