etiquette

I have 2 words for all those EGs bashers - Lighten Up! This book is supposed to be light and humorous, while at the same time provide its readers with simple solutions for everyday etiquette quandaries. Yes, the EGs are sometimes harsh in conveying their frustrations about the rude people in our society, but this is all meant to be tongue-in-cheek. As someone in their mid-20's, I find that my generation has grown too lazy and "comfortable" to follow any type of rules, let alone rules of etiquette and I believe that this book should be incorporated into every high school's reading requirements. It is funny enough for teens to enjoy, but more importantly, it is very informative. It is a light-hearted description of silly things we've all done and are ashamed to admit. I mean, common, you'd have to be a rock not to laugh at the EGs' descriptions of some of the vehicles one encounters on the road - collections of beanie babies on the window, or all those annoying bumper stickers. I think the book is hilarious and I encourage everyone to read it.

Who would have thought it was possible?

As a fan of the Etiquette Grrls' website I've been familiar with their style of advice, dishing out humor hand in hand with etiquette advice for some time. Indeed they helped me by answering my questions about some sticky situations that arose when I was planning my wedding. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their book from the day I preordered it last spring. It finally arrived a little over a week ago and I wasn't disappointed.

Here is the perfect etiquette book for the younger generation, my generation. Yes, the tried and true etiquette books have a lot to teach us, I myself enjoy my 1952 edition of a venerable book on the subject, but the Etiquette Grrls bring etiquette to the twenty-first century. Cell phone and email etiquette (at last!). How to dress for a job interview, how to be fashionable without merely being trendy and "subversive" nail polish colors, are all covered.

My one (very small) problem is one the Grrls themselves seem to recognize, they're From New England (see the entry in the glossary regarding this term for a giggle) where some things, indeed a great many things are done more traditionally than in other parts of the country. Because of this they have a slightly different background and outlook from those who are not "From New England". However this background is what gives the Grrls the knowledge of what all those forks are for, or when to wear white shoes and a multitude of other every day dilemmas.

I know I thoroughly enjoyed the conversational tone of the book, the amusing etiquette examples and stories. The glossary is a highly amusing feature, especially for those who follow their website. A light, yet informative read that explains things well, "Things You Need to Be Told" has earned its place on my bookshelf.

Wow. I am astonished by the number of EG Bashers. Okay, if you have a literary criticism of their book, fine. But to critcize their looks? Their background and/or education? How inappropriate. Sounds like a case of the pea-greens to me. Why doesn't Amazon pull these personal attacks on the authors that have nothing to do with their book? In a recent review from Karen from Chicago, she takes umbrage to the EGs' fondness of Urban Decay nailpolish. What the heck? So what if that's their preferred brand? What's that got to do with the quality of the book? She also criticizes the Grrls' section on how to (kindly) treat The Help. This IS how you refer to the people who work for you. "Servants" is demeaning, especially toward people like The Help in places like your college dormitory, which is who they focus on -- in no way do they assume that anyone has an unrealistic huge "Upstairs, Downstairs"-like staff. What does she suggest they be called? Slaves? I found TYNTBT to be usuful and great fun. Emily Post is good for how to word your wedding invitations perhaps (although I much prefer my 1940 version to the current one), but the EGs dish the dirt on situations we all (especially young people) find ourselves in, and are flummoxed about -- and they make it an enjoyable read. I suggest if all these people think that the EGs' books and websites (www.EtiquetteGrrlStyle.com and www.EtiquetteGrrls.com) are such garbage that they be used as toilet paper (as another reader suggested) that they try to write their own series of books and maintain two popular websites. Maybe they think that the EGs are "snobs," but sour grapes are even less appealing.