Town & Country Social Graces: Words of Wisdom on Civility in a Changing Society

Book Overview

For more than 150 years, Town & Country has stood for quality and refinement. So who better to offer sound guidance on leading a civilized life in a world of eroding social graces? Here, 50 of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1588160807
• ISBN13: 9781588160805
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Hearst
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 1.3" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining, delightful, instructive, and clever

A wonderful collaboration by a group of talented men and women that would make an excellent gift for most everyone. I will begin this review with notes on the introduction and all nine chapters and bring it to a conclusion with a bit of fanatical gushing. The introduction of `Town & Country's Social Graces' is a cleverly written and well thought out piece written by the Editor in Chief of the magazine, Pamela Fiori. It first details why the Social Graces department was created in 1995. Then it goes on to describe some of the subjects that the article addresses. For example, some of the issues faced were about the "flagrant use of cell phones in public by people who simply cannot keep their business to themselves" and "the arrogance of certain individuals who, once in the driver's seat (literally), believe they have `The Right of Way'". It is clear by this introduction alone that the essays that fill this book are abundant with intelligence, wit, and acuity. Chapter one comprises eight essays that focus on the subject of `Modern Times'. The first essay, `Privacy... or What's Left of It' by Jay McInerney, is about just what the title leads you to believe, privacy or lack thereof. It's told with a sense of humour but don't let the jokes fool you into thinking that the author isn't serious about humans' dwindling respect for privacy, both their own and others'. The fifth essay, `The Sound and My Fury' by William Norwich is perhaps my favourite out of the chapter because I can relate to it so well. It's about how rudely people can react when politely asked to speak more quietly when out in public, to silence their dog's incessant barking, or to take a break from playing a loud instrument in the next apartment over. A few other interesting essays that can be found in this chapter are `On Accountability', `The Etiquette of E-Mail', and `Smugly American'. Chapter two comprises five essays written about how `Little Things Mean A Lot'. The very first essay in this chapter, `On Being a Gentleman' by David Brown, was my personal favourite. The author not only gave examples of true gentlemen and what made them so worthy of the title, but he also included a list of rules to live by. If more people were able to find it in themselves to follow at least one, two, or, even better, three of these rules on a daily basis their good attitudes would spread out like the rippling effect caused by a stone tossed into a body of water. Just imagine the possibilities. A couple other interesting chapters are `Respecting Our Elders' and `Say "Thank You"'. Chapter three comprises seven essays written on the subject of `Family Affairs'. My favourite essay in the chapter is `Missing the Point' by Patricia Beard, which is about how adults should treat children with the same courtesy they would treat their spouse or friends. Other interesting essays are `Nagging Habits', `A Single Parent's Say', and `With All Due Respect', the latter of which concerns those irritating, though

Do you take this woman to be.....RING...RING....

If you or someone you love has ever had their cell phone ring during a performance, church service, wedding, movie, etc....YOU or they need to read this book. It's not about stuffy manners. It's about consideration of your fellow man.Whether it's not sending thank-you notes, cell phones ringing inapropriately, self-centered children interrupting or any of the subjects contained in this book, manners matter. No one is asking anyone to wear white gloves or to place a salt cellar at your dinner plate. It's about greasing the gears of civilized society.One hilarious chapter deals with Politically Correct Americans making a HUGE ruckus over Europeans smoking. Throwing a massive tantrum over someone smoking in a French or German Restaurant will only identify you as a boorish American, and get you nothing more than a sideways glance and a shrug...while asking someone kindly if they would mind not smoking around you might just get the desired effect.Another favorite chapter of mine was close to home, as I sometimes feel that the Tattoo Fairy has visited me in the middle of the night and inscribed "Tell me about your SEX LIFE" on my forehead. People just love to tell me their most intimate details which I do not seek and have not asked for. Evidentially, it is at epidemic stages and I am not alone in this observation.This is a perfect length for a plane trip or a car trip, and you will nod in recognition and laugh out loud at some of these situations which require that we all brush up a bit on our manners.