The New Basic Black: Home Training for Modern Times

by Karen Grigsby Bates, Karen Elyse Hudson, Karen E. Hudson, et al.

A newly revised modern manual of manners and etiquette that has become an African American classic. Unlike the more traditional etiquette books that many African Americans may find stodgy,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385516266
• ISBN13: 9780385516266
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 523 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A must read for maturing black ladies and women

I found this book in my library and was stunned to see that I was the first person to check it out. The book stamp was 2006. I was fortunate to have a mom that taught me a lot about matters and such. I still read it because my husband and I are about to start having children, and I wanted to read up on some of things I may have missed along the way. I recommend this book to all mothers and women especially those with or who care for bi-racial or black children. WE have to set the standard. BTW... I love Emily Post as well.

The Perfect Coffee Table Book.

I bought this book so long ago, but never reviewed it... basically it has all your basics for proper etiquette. I purchased it for my boyfriend who was, let's just say- not trained in manners. Many of the people in life, pre-college, were people with a "hood-mentality". We're totally opposite, as my mom taught my sisters and I how to act when we go in public, how to be proper etc etc... and what happened was that my boyfriend would sometimes do things that were, lets just say... embarrassing. Once at a ball event, we entered a room and were going to our purchased seats, the people at the table greeted us, and I thought that my boyfriend was going to pull back the seat I was eyeing so that I could sit-down... instead he pulled it back then SAT DOWN HIMSELF. It was soooooo embarrassing because everyone was looking- any they all had the "omg" face. Anyway I decided to get this book for him after that... I gave it to him, wrote a nice message in the front cover, and hoped that he'd read it. And well, we're broken up now... I'm not sure if he ever really read it, but I know he has skimmed it. My suggestion would be to read a passage weekly with your significant other, or whomever you purchased this for. Overall its a nice book and I plan to purchase another just to have as a reference book. If you're a mom or someone buying this for your daughter or for yourself to have around, I would also purchase: The Modern Girl's Guide to Life. This is a cute book to have as well that will help you to know what to do, or what to do properly in certain situations like- throwing/planning a dinner party, what to bring when attending a dinner party, etc. Plus this book is so inexpensive now on here opposed to when I bought it, so if you're thinking of whether or not to get it- for $4.40 plus shipping why not?

Mind Your Manners

This book is a must for people who are moving up. It is unfortunate. Many people do not know basic etiquette. Who should be tipped? What is a proper wedding gift or baby gift? This book helps out the reader. Read it. Many people will learn things that they will not know.

What to do When and Where

This is a great book to answer those questions that your mama and grandmama can't help you with. Anything and everything related to social situations that are part of the African-American community are in this book, as well as, what good manners are.