That's So Annoying: An Etiquette Expert on the World's Most Irritating Habits and What to Do About Them [Paperback]

Cynthia W. Lett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2009

The first etiquette book ever to look at what really annoys us and why, and what to do about it! Here are hundreds and hundreds of real people's most common complaints and the proper responses to them. Written by an eminent etiquette expert, it is a guide to how to behave well and, more importantly, how to respond to bad behavior.
What are the right rules for the coffee machine at work? Why do husbands always drink from the milk carton? Why are so many retail clerks rude? This book answers all--and, more importantly, explains the proper responses to all the most common irritations. Whether you are the matriarch of an unruly family trying to keep order, or an office worker just trying to figure out how to deal with pushy or messy colleagues, this is a book for you. It's as funny as it is useful.
75 Color illustrations

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cynthia W. Lett is a Certified Etiquette Professional (CEP) and Certified Protocol Professional (CPP). She is a seminar speaker and business consultant and is a regular on-air contributor to Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Retirement Living Channel, and various radio talk shows nationwide. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (July 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602393087
• ISBN-13: 978-1602393080
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Lett (1957 - ) was raised in Bethesda, Maryland where she learned international and Washington, DC diplomacy by observation and participation. After earning degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Public Relations from Purdue University, she earned a master's degree in legal studies from Antioch School of Law. In 1983 she developed an international meeting planning consultancy which took her to 102 countries planning United States participation in world congresses and other international meetings for corporations and government. She used her gained knowledge of protocol and etiquette as Protocol Chief for MCI Telecommunications and Director of The Lett Group. In 2005 she started and continues to run the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals which is the only international certification provider in the industry. She taught Business Protocol at The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs for 7 years. She continues to teach seminars and speaks on the subjects of business and social etiquette and international protocol.
Her first book was "America's 50 Best Inns" (Agora Publishing,1985) followed by "Great Inns of America" (Knapp Press,1987), both written while she was Director at Great Inns of America (Annapolis, Maryland).
In 2007 she was honored by Purdue University as a Distinguished Darden Professor.
Ms. Lett lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and son.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is fun to read - and not annoying at all! September 7, 2009

By Cory R. Lupinacci

Format:Paperback

After hearing about the publication of the new book "That's So Annoying" by Cynthia Lett, I decided to purchase a copy. Maybe it was the enticing title; or possibly it was curiosity about whether I would agree with everyone else about specifically which behaviors would be characterized as "annoying." In other words, to some degree I was wondering if my level of irritation at all those annoying people was normal. Regardless of the motivation, I purchased the book, read the book, and had a great time in the process. However, there were a few surprises.

What was not surprising was the confirmation that I shared many of the same opinions as those described in "That's So Annoying." Of course, it was inevitable. Who does not get annoyed by the person conducting an excessively loud cell phone conversation within your personal space? The list of annoyances included unruly children, poor personal hygiene, aggressive drivers, and various rude behaviors regarding eating.

One aspect of the book that I enjoyed was to see both sides of an issue. For example, every restaurant patron can relate to the annoyances associated with rude and inattentive waiters / waitresses. However, the author also presents the other side of the coin: from the waiter's perspective, the annoyances associated with the rude and inconsiderate restaurant patron.

There were initially two aspects of "That's So Annoying" that I found a little uncomfortable. First of all, I was surprised to find some of my own behaviors described as "annoying." Is it possible that people would actually become irritated when I eat pizza with a fork and knife? Well, since I do not think that I am hurting anyone with that behavior, I will probably keep on doing it. Though, perhaps I will be a little more humble when I request the missing utensils, recognizing that I may be the odd one in this instance.

The other aspect that was uncomfortable was the number of times that the author's "Solution" to other's annoying behaviors was to ignore it, walk away from it, or just get over it. Initially, those did not seem like satisfactory solutions. What about getting all those annoying people to change!?! However, Cynthia Lett's wisdom becomes clear: you cannot change all those other people. You can only change yourself and the way that you react to the world around you.

So, that is probably the most important lesson offered by "That's So Annoying." But the most important thing for you to do is to purchase the book, read it, and enjoy it. Do not let the word "etiquette" on the cover scare you away. This is really about understanding and communicating with other people. Have fun with it, and try not to be so annoying!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Etiquette Book for the REST OF US October 7, 2009

By David Newman

Format:Paperback

True confession time - I hate the topic of etiquette and I hate etiquette books. They're preachy, academic, and not relevant to me in my day to day business...

...EXCEPT this one.

"That's So Annoying" is the ultimate guide for the rest of us - folks that live in the real world who are savvy business pros. This book is 100% aimed at YOU if your success depends on the way you speak, listen, act (and react), communicate, and behave in your day-to-day dealings of business and life. (And trust me, it DOES!)

The book's content is engaging, smart, funny, and incredibly useful and relevant to any level of professional in any industry. With well over 100 different topics, this book is a quick and easy read cover to cover AND it's also a great start-anywhere reference guide that's well-organized and even features a fun 5-point "Annoyance Rating System" to give you a sense of what's a minor infraction vs. a major gaffe.

The book's format is also engaging - full color, big photos and fun graphics throughout. Well-highlighted sidebars and tip lists make the content come to life (See p. 106 for 9 Key Complaints about your Voice mails, p. 57 for 20 Common Issues with Cubicle Mates plus 20 solutions, p. 102 for 9 Tips to Consider About Your Next Email, p. 53 for the top 10 Offenses Deemed Unacceptable by Senior Managers)

The physical book is also beautifully produced - heavy glossy paper, great design, and a solid "feel" all make this a business reference that you'll be proud to display on your shelf - but chances are greater that you'll want to keep it closer by on your desk and refer to it often.

Frankly, buying a copy for everyone on your team might be the cheapest and most painless way for you to make sure you never have to find yourself in a situation saying, "That's So Annoying!!"

3 cheers and 5 gold stars to Cynthia Lett for hitting a home run with this terrific resource. Grab your copy now - you'll thank me later.

-- David Newman, author of Do It! Marketing: 77 Instant-Action Ideas to Boost Sales, Maximize Profits, and Crush Your Competition
Do It! Marketing: 77 Instant-Action Ideas to Boost Sales, Maximize Profits, and Crush Your Competition

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We Can Use ALL the Help We Can Get! October 25, 2009

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I came across "That's So Annoying" because of an interest I have on the subject of etiquette. I was very happy to see I could purchase it immediately on my Kindle. It was an easy read and quite enjoyable. It was also refreshing to see common real issues addressed - it's down to earth and realistic.

The author wrote "That's So Annoying" it in a format where a person would ask a common question and the answer would follow. I found myself reading the question and before reading the answer I wondered what I would do if I was in that situation. I still don't understand though why men don't get how much more sexier their wives would think they were if they just took out the garbage!

Reading it reminded me of my own annoyances and I didn't realize I had so many of them (laughing). This book is perfect for anyone - really. I think the earlier in life someone can read about how to go through life being a gentleman/gentlewoman, the better. Someone graduating from high school, a birthday gift, or just a fellow colleague would love this book!

They say that the generation coming up is the rudest in history (thanks to the likes of Simon Cowell). Who would have thought that how someone acts would be an asset rather than the norm?

Great Book -