Excuse Me, But I Was Next...

November 15, 2006
Post, great-granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post and author of at least a dozen books on etiquette, is recognized as America's reigning etiquette doyenne. In this easy-to-read guide, she offers "scripts" and rules of engagement for dealing with what she considers the top 100 rude, thoughtless, and obnoxious situations one might encounter at work, at home, and in social situations. Most of Post's advice is born of good, plain common sense, but every reader will discover a means of getting out of at least one jam where he or she didn't know what to do. Here are solutions for the art of small talk, retorts to the top ten nosy questions, ways of finessing "name amnesia," and adoption etiquette, in concise Q&A format. The best news of all: it's ok to wear white 365 days a year. Although much of this ground (and more) is covered online in Post's "Etiquette for Today" column (www.goodhousekeeping.com/etiquette/peggy/) and in "Good Housekeeping" magazine, the focus on universal real-life situations makes this book a classic for most etiquette collections.Deborah Ebster, Univ. of Central Florida Libs., Orlando

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.