Customer Reviews
Table manners - By: Mrs. P. Rogers, 23 Feb 2008 
It is all very well telling us how to eat a grape,what I needed was how to position the cutlery before, during & after a meal especially with regard to the tines (prongs) of a fork at the end of a meal to indicate that you have finished & the waiter can remove the plate.
All of you are right ! - By: Doods, 18 Oct 2006 
There seems to be a needless dispute going on here.
This book is both a helpful guide to both the hazards of etiquette for those of us baffled by place settings & such AND it is a work of comic genius describing, with the barest flicker of irony though the author clearly subscribes to them, the more lunatic codes of a pampered class.
I have always felt that manners are to do with courtesy & making your fellow man or woman feel at ease, whereas etiquette is more to do with putting the other person on the back foot, but this volume will help you with both : alerting you to the needs & perceptions of others as well as protecting the unwary from seemingly impenetrable social obstacles.
If you are one of those people who keep small volumesin their smallest room then this is far more valuable & browseable than most of the "novelty" books you will end up getting as Christmas presents.
A GUIDE! not etched in stone from the Almighty! - By: BC, 16 May 2006 
An insight to proper conduct, unfortunately lackingin certain circles these days with the loss of disciplinein schools & many parents happy to allow their offspring to run riot wherever they go.
There are many 'common sense' subjects which one would expect people to know but if you have NEVER been informed of the situation you may not have an understanding. Many areas are covered, some with a humourous slant on occasion, but I feel certain reviewers are taking it too seriously.
This is a GUIDE to modern etiquette & i dont expect many readers will have housemaids, butlers, etc, neither do I anticipate persons demonstrating formal event protocol down the local Mcdonalds; (why anyone would want to dine there is beyond me anyway).
These seems to be far too much emphasis on the 'PC' flooded tripe that is constantly rammed down our throats, & this book will be frowned upon by the brainwashed, as the staff are referred to as 'servants', also there is an emphasis on 'HE' as the main desision makerin society which they will find sexist. But WHO CARES!!! Lighten up & enjoy it.
Insight into bizarre tribe - By: , 11 Mar 2005 
The English upper classes are the tribe that thinks it's the only onein Britain. The only references to the teeming millions they share this landmass with are the odd mention of people who might be less-than socially acceptable. It's OK to have sex with them, old bean, but think twice before introducing them to your FRIENDS. As someone else has said, the dating advice is down to earth & a lot more useful than vague, utopian therapy speak. The Tribe like to hang outin places & at events that exclude the rest of the world. If you want to avoid them, give Rockin Cornwall, North Norfolk, Fulham, Chelsea & the Cotswolds a miss. They are fewin number & don't take up much space & we really don't need to worry about their quaint customs. Unfortunately they still own a whopping proportion of this country's wealth & land. Drat! Their concern with good manners is one of their few redeeming features.
A book of common sense - By: Katrina Siddiqui, 04 Mar 2004 I found this book utterly vague & full of common manners that no one is without. I had hoped that this book could give me a taste of the british manners I lacked since moving here from America. However, I found this book a vague overview of manners & addressing others rather than informative. It is felt that one could have been more detailed about how to handle uncomfortable situations. It is either that or the writer, John Morgan, views most people as not having enough common sense to say please & thank you.
Overall, this was a well written & easy to read book. The section about table manners was helpful to me ... just a bit. However, I have read other books on etiquette that I feel were better suited to teach about manners than this book. I would not recommend buying this book brand new unless, of course, one has a complete lack of common sense.
