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"This crazy redhead is on to something. Her pink Rambler story alone is worth the price of the book." — Elmore Leonard
"Amy Alkon is intellectually promiscuous—and funny as hell." — Paleopsychologist Howard Bloom, author of The Lucifer Principle
We all just suck it up every day. You leave the house for a latte and somebody'll flip you the bird on your way and force their loud cellphone conversation on you once you're there.
It doesn't have to be that way, says award-winning syndicated columnist Amy Alkon. Her hilarious stories of her in-your-face encounters with rude people and businesses will inspire you to stand up to the boors in your own world.
Alkon not only gives the offenders a taste of their own medicine, she delves into anthropology, psychology, and behavioral science to figure out why we're rude and how we can stop all the intruding, shoving, and shouting. She ensures that all these rude people get their comeuppance:
-Lax parents
-Internet bullies
-Rude drivers
-Negligent businesses
-Telemarketing executives
-Car thieves
-Parking space hogs
-That loud jerk in the drugstore line
In this funny, ferocious and freewheeling expose, Alkon gives you the tools you need to confront these abusers and restore common courtesy, respect and good manners to society...one chastened cellphone shouter at a time.
1 Rude Awakening 1
2 Let the Shun Shine in 21
3 It all Started When Fred Lopez Stole My Pink Car 37
4 The Mobile Savage 55
5 The Business of Being Rude, Part 1 73
6 The Business of Being Rude, Part 2 103
7 The Underparented Child 115
8 It's Only Free for Telemarketers to Call You Because You Have Yet to Invoice Them 139
9 Modems Without Manners 165
10 It's Nice to be Nice 193
Acknowledgments 211
MarkNYCMB
Posted February 1, 2010
I bought this book mainly because I can relate to it. I live in New York City and encounter jerks yapping away on their cell phones or to each other several times a day on public transportation. I figured it would be nice to feel that solidarity with the author. But what I discovered is that, aside from goofy stories about rude people, it contains a very well-thought out analysis of why people act this way, why others SHOULD speak up (she gives a very convincing argument for this), and some counter arguments to those who think it's no big deal and we should all just live with it. Most interesting to me was to see how well-researched this book is (see Dunbar's workable human group size theory, page 13...), so much so that I found myself taking out a highlighter. You wouldn't know it by the goofy cover featuring an attractive redhead tossing people around (is that the author? she's cute!), but this is a really important book for society and, sorry to go cliche, but...should most definitely be read and USED by everyone. After all, the world isn't getting any smaller, and implementing Amy Alkon's ideas just might make someone like me, and anyone who lives somewhere other than a cave, happy to be surrounded by people.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 5, 2012
Found this book after having my own rude experience, so glad I did.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 13, 2011
Amy's standing up to people is something we should all do more of. Her stories of people being ugly reminded me of people I see every day.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.EricTM
Posted May 16, 2010
If you've ever wonderd why people are rude read this book.
Alkon explains this phenomenon using evolutionary psychology, but manages to keep it readable for someone who is not an anthroplology major. Oh, and the stories of her attempts to "teach" these rude people are hilarious and a little inspiring as well.
If you are tired of feeling like a powerless victim everytime Joe Blow is screaming into his cell two feet away from your ear, check this book out; Amy Alkon has some ideas.
WillJohn68
Posted May 13, 2010
Amy Alkon has struck a positive chord on a negative subject: How to handle rude, thoughtless, careless individuals. From loud, obnoxious cell phone yakkers to Internet bullies to car thieves, Amy doesn't simply go on a soapbox rant. She shows us how to deal with socially irresponsible folks while also demonstrating why each of us needs to speak up and try to correct the poor behavior of others. Far from a cute and fuzzy hug-fest, "I See Rude People" tells it like it is with healthy doses of cheeky humor, using personal anecdotes as well as documented studies on social behavior to show how rudeness affects all of us. If you are someone who's had enough of ill mannered people, this book is a comfort and an inspiration. And if you know any rude people, this could hopefully be an eye opening gift.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.kbabie
Posted March 12, 2010
It is so refreshing to know that I am not the only semi-neurotic manner nut! You won't find which order you are supposed to use your utensils in in this read, but more of a common courtesy approach to daily living. That jerk in the bookstore that feels the need to broadcast his weeks' plan to the entire store? Yeah, she's got that covered. Ms. Alkon is hilarious in her writings and hits the nail on the head chapter after chapter. In a world where manners all but seem to be a thing of the past, it's nice to know that you are not the only one who misses them! Rudesters beware!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AvidReaderREE
Posted February 21, 2010
This book was positively hysterical! I read the entire thing in one day because you just cannot put it down! This is one brave woman when it comes to the things in her life that most believe they can't control, oh boy does she take control! I love her columns and this book was so wonderful, so when is the next book coming out?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2010
I saw this book on a table at Barnes and Noble and liked the cover-and am also fed up with rude people-so I bought it. It is a really good book-very,very funny. It is smart and insightful. It exceeded my expectations. My absolute favorite chapter was called "The Underparented Child"- I had not laughed so hard reading something in a long time- I would like to send that one to everyone I know.That chapter was more than just funny - it was very enlightening. I did not know the author but now I would like to read more of her.I did not highlight things in the book like the other review I read on B & N- but I too want to further research some of the theories Ms Alkon put out in her book to "explain" people's behavior.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 26, 2012
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Posted May 6, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted August 17, 2010
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Overview
"This crazy redhead is on to something. Her pink Rambler story alone is worth the price of the book." — Elmore Leonard
"Amy Alkon is intellectually promiscuous—and funny as hell." — Paleopsychologist Howard Bloom, author of The Lucifer Principle
We all just suck it up every day. You leave the house for a latte and somebody'll flip you the bird on your way and force their loud cellphone conversation on you once...