Charming, witty, and full of excellent tips
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The fundamentals of good manners are universal, but the traditions and cultural quirks of British life are unfamiliar to foreigners. Since I will be in London attending an academic programme later this year, I want to make sure that I can navigate new situations with ease. Thanks to Ms Britten's book, I am even more eager to begin my time abroad!
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All a bit obvious really.
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I bought this book hoping for something quite in depth that would give me advice on conduct in different social situations. However I really didn't feel like it delivered. All of it's suggestions were obvious and I learnt very little from it. I wouldn't recommend anyone who had been brought up knowing how to hold a knife and fork to buy this book. It is nicely presented but really of little substance.
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Fashionable Advice
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This book dispenses the usual sensible advice albeit in a slightly more glossy format than Emily Post. At worst, this book is more style than substance but at best it can give readers useful information about how to behave in a range of circumstances.
If you like flicking through glossy mags, this is the etiquette guide for you. Good fun.
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Patronising rule book
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It's a light, refreshing book, but I'm a little disappointed as most of rules are pretty basic and common sense, e.g. you should send a thank you note within a few days after receiving an invitation to a dinner party. Umm...okay, like we didn't thought of that! Also, I don't really like the writer's tone, I find her language a little patronising and snobby...
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Not a very cool message for girls
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Nice and all as this book may sound, I was a bit upset when my twenty six years old daughter asked me if I'd ever had an affair on her father and (would you believe it) gotten away with it? She was afraid that because this book gives advice on infidelity that it's the norm. The book says When cheating on a husband/partner, be sure to cover your tracks. Destroy receipts you cannot explain away, delete incriminating text messages as soon as they're received, and be wary of e-mail.
I was also very upset at the section on telling lies where Rule number one is to watch your back. If you're overheard bad-mouthing someone, and are sure that umbrage was taken, apologise at once. If you're too spineless to do it in person, e-mail.
My daughter is so lovely yet very smart and after a good sit down and a chat with me about these subjects, she and her friends now agree that this book is really irresponsible and uncool. Every woman should realise that having affairs and telling lies just hurts people afterall it's someone's father or husband you're messing with. It's really sad that this book makes affairs and telling lies seem cool. A note of warning, this is not a suitable book for trendy girls and certainly not for teenagers. Being trendy is about being honest and not lying to your best friends.
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