Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top



Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top is a guide to modern etiquette aimed at young adults and teenagers. Its authors are Dorothea Johnson, a long-time etiquette expert and consultant, and her granddaughter Liv Tyler (whom I will always think of as Arwen).

Modern Manners is organized into six parts addressing meeting others, business etiquette, electronic communication, travelling, dining, and hosting. It’s illustrated with colorful drawings throughout, and includes an index and additional references for those who want to learn more. Most topics are addressed with just one page of text or less. There are many sidebars with additional information, including “Did you know?” sections, lists of do’s and don’ts, and comments by Ms. Tyler, such as “Liv on eye contact,” or “Liv on body language.” These are generally short, anecdotal, and personal comments about her own experiences and observations about etiquette.

Overall, this is a friendly and accessible guide to etiquette and manners that would be a great gift for any young adult. Sections on eating out, email and text etiquette, and behavior at social events are particularly helpful.

Dorothea Johnson and Liv Tyler. Modern Manners: Tools to Take You to the Top. New York: Potter Style, 2013. 176 pages. ISBN 9780770434083.

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