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Easy, accessible, and to the point, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Modern Manners Fast-Track gets you up to speed quickly on the essential strategies and techniques you need to navigate the finer points of polite behavior in a rapidly changing society. In this time-saving guide, you get:
Simple suggestions for making fantastic first impressions.
Pointers for practicing good table manners and behaving appropriately when out on the town and while traveling.
Easy ideas for getting along with neighbors, co-workers, and others in person, over the phone, and online.
Savvy strategies for avoiding social media faux pas.
Guidance on interacting respectfully with those who have differences and disabilities.
Tips for thoughtful gift-giving and mastering the lost art of the handwritten note.
1 First Impressions 1
Face-to-Face Interactions 2
What People See 2
Shaking Hands 4
Introducing Yourself and Others 5
What People Hear 7
When the Initial Interaction Is Not in Person 8
On Paper 8
Online 8
On the Telephone 9
2 Twenty-First-Century Table Manners 11
Table Settings and Using Flatware 12
Table Manners 101 14
Difficult Foods, Preferences, and Intolerances 16
Some Useful Caveats 17
Braving the Buffet 18
3 The Modern Home Front 19
Who Makes the Rules? 20
Dealing with Divorce 21
Getting Along with Your Blended Family 22
When Your Children Don't Look at All Like You 23
Accommodations in the Multigenerational Family 25
Same-Sex Parents: No Apologies, No Excuses 26
Foster Families 27
4 Neighborly Ways 29
New Neighbors 30
Helping Out 31
Noise and Smelly Stuff 31
Talking Trash 33
Pet Peeves 34
Garage Sales 36
5 Manners at Work 39
Cubicle Etiquette 40
Food in the Office 42
Doors, Elevators, and Escalators 44
Office Parties 45
6 Email and Social Media Savvy 49
Email Is Eternal 50
General Email Principles 50
Business Email 52
Phones 55
Cell Phones and Smartphones 57
Texting 59
Voicemail 60
Social Networking 62
Posting Pictures 63
Friending and Unfriending on Facebook 64
Tweeting 64
Blogging and Commentary 65
7 The Write Way 67
Thank-You Notes 68
Condolence Letters 70
Letters of Apology 72
Letters of Congratulations 73
A Few Points for Any Letter 73
8 How to Say It in Person 75
Small Talk 75
Conversation Triggers 76
Body Language 78
Giving and Receiving Compliments 78
Calming Communications 79
Stop the Gossip 81
Talk Taboos 82
Handling Invitations and Requests Face-to-Face 83
9 On the Go 85
Cars 85
The Courteous Driver 86
The Courteous Passenger 86
Taxis 87
Trains and Buses 87
Airplanes 88
Getting to the Gate 89
Boarding 89
Being a Good Houseguest 91
At the Hotel 92
10 Out and About 95
Theater, Concerts, and Movies 96
Sporting Events 98
Restaurants and Happy Hours 98
Museums, Churches, and Galleries 99
At the Gym 100
Shopping 101
11 Courtesy for the Disabled 103
Physical Disabilities 104
Mobility Impairment 104
Obesity 106
Sensory Disabilities 107
Hearing Loss and Speaking Impairments 107
Visual Impairment 108
Mental Disabilities 110
12 The Circle of Life 111
Beginning with Babies 112
Christenings 112
Brit 113
First Communion 113
Birthdays 114
Coming-of-Age Events 114
Confirmation 114
Bar and Bat Mitzvah 115
The Quinceanera 115
Nuptials 116
Before the Wedding 116
The Wedding-Who Pays for What 117
The Wedding Party-Who Does What 118
Destination Weddings 121
Different Types of Wedding Ceremonies 121
Same-Sex Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies 124
Retirement 125
Funerals 126
13 Giving and Receiving Gifts 129
Some Gift Guidelines 130
Acknowledging Gifts 131
To Regift, or Not to Regift? 131
Declining Gifts 132
E-Gifting, Registries, Gift Cards, and Gift Certificates 133
Hostess Gifts 134
Surprise Gifts 135
Holiday Tipping 135
Appendixes
Resources 139
Index 141
Overview
Easy, accessible, and to the point, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Modern Manners Fast-Track gets you up to speed quickly on the essential strategies and techniques you need to navigate the finer points of polite behavior in a rapidly changing society. In this time-saving guide, you get:
Simple suggestions for making fantastic first impressions.
Pointers for practicing good table manners and behaving ...