Outclassing the Competition: The Up-And-Comer's Guide to Social Survival [Hardcover]

Jan Darling (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 330 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (March 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312591276
• ISBN-13: 978-0312591274
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,602,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the Best, July 29, 2006

By 

Mark Raclin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outclassing the Competition: The Up-And-Comer's Guide to Social Survival (Paperback)

Good manners never go out of date and neither will this book. And looking and feeling comfortable in new situations is a skill of ongoing value. For 20 years I have given this book to my kids and hundreds of their upwardly mobile friends because it is the single best guide to "high-class" behavior and etiquette ever published.

If you know every thing in this book, it is still a good refresher. If you don't, it might well save your life! Remember, kids, the faster you are moving upward in this world, the more "pop quizzes" you will take on this material every day for the rest of your lives!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but still valuable!, December 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Outclassing the Competition: The Up-And-Comer's Guide to Social Survival (Hardcover)

I can't say I was fully suprised when my local library finally took this book from the shelf due to its age. What really suprised me was that I had to come here to actually buy it! Most etiquette books are usually the type to sit on a 'For Sale' rack until nearly eternity.

'Outclassing the Competition' is a bit dated but the advice is invaluable to anyone who would seriously wish to advance themselves socially and be seen as having more manners than most of the general public. Even a slight usage of the techniques in this book would set a reader above a great number of the general public these days. Ranging from pronunciation of words and use of terms, to cooking and entertaining this book has nearly all of what most would want to find out and apply to the 'better' situation life has dealt them.
My only wish would be for Ms. Darling to come up with an updated, revised version of this wonderful work. Simply because while 'class' never goes out-of-fashion, times do change.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Timely After nearly 20 Years!, July 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Outclassing the Competition: The Up-And-Comer's Guide to Social Survival (Paperback)

I have been referring to this book for nearly 20 years ! As I have risen in the ranks of Corporate Events, I have leaned heavily on Jan Darling's knowledge to make both my client and me look good. Yes, some of the suggestions are a little dated ( Godiva chocolate is not the status purchase it once was) but knowing how to behave in unfamiliar situations, knowing what to say and displaying beautiful manners never, ever go out of style. And,no, I am not selling my copy for love nor money - would love for Ms. Darling to issue an updated edition, though!