* Book Title: “Everyday Etiquette - How to  Navigate 101 Common and Uncommon Social    Situations”

 * Book Author: Patricia Rossi      (www.patriciarossi.com)  

 * Publishing House: St. Martin’s Press 

 * Year of publication: September 2011 

 * ISBN N.: 978-0-312-60427-1

 * Price: $ 14.99  

• Content: 

• Test your Etiquette IQ (15 multiple choice questions with answers) 
• Introduction
• Introducing Yourself (The Approach, proper introductions, body language, what to say, the handshake) 
• Communicating with Confidence (cell phones, email, text messaging, making conversation, name game, politely ending a conversation, responding to gossip) 
• Social Media in Modern Times (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Skype, YouTube, Blogging)
• Table Manners (bread and soup courses, entrees: Continental/American, dinner parties: host and guest responsibilities, banquets and buffets, taboo table topics, wine etiquette, toasts) 
• Business Matters (Business cards, business lunches: host and guest responsibilities, casual Friday, conferencing: business meetings/teleconferences/videoconferences, home office, interview necessities, networking-building new and lasting relationships, office cubicles, office parties) 
• Children (Help your child shine!, Play Dates: Host and Guest responsibilities, sleepovers, children’s birthday parties: guest and host responsibilities, back-to-school success, sportsmanship, ghoulishly good manners for Halloween, social etiquette and respect for others, Thank-you Notes your kids will love writing) 
• Petiquette (the Dog Park, Pets and Travel, Visiting the Veterinarians’ Office, Service Animal Etiquette, Cat Owner Etiquette) 
• Travel (airplane/airport etiquette, bed- and breakfast, camping, cruises, hotels, how to be a great host, how to be a great houseguest, traveling by train) 
• Giving and Receiving Gifts (Gift Giving, Receiving Gifts, Regifting) 
• Invitations, Sympathy Cards, and Thank-You Notes (Evites, Invitations/RSVP Etiquette, Sympathy Cards, Thank-You Notes) 
• Out and About (Art Museums, Beach Day, Boating, Concerts, Dating Dos and Don’ts, Fragrance in public, getting around, the grocery store, the Gym, Hospital Visits, Internet Cafe and Wi-fi manners, mingle, movie theaters, new neighbors, poolside, Spas, Tattoo Studios, the theater/performing arts Center, Theme Parks, tips on tipping, tobacconist tips for the Cigar Enthusiast, the Zoo)  
• Sports (Championship Game Parties: Super Bowl/World Series etc.), Golf, NASCAR, Poker, Skyboxes, Stadiums, Tailgating, Tennis, Triathlons) 
• Encouragement in Tough Times (Bad News and How to Handle it, job loss or bankruptcy, funerals, illness/unfavorable Medical diagnosis) 
• Celebrations (anniversaries, bridal and baby showers, graduations, religious Birth and Coming-of-Age Ceremonies, quinceaneras and Sweet Sixteens, weddings). 

• Questions and Answers (it answers 13 interesting etiquette dilemmas) 

* What I particularly liked: 

- The title says it all “Everyday Etiquette”. The book gives you numerous etiquette tips on dealing with friends, relatives, your children, your pets, acquaintances, visitors, work colleagues and the general public in various situations. Usually etiquette books are focused either on social etiquette or business etiquette only. This book is a good mix and covers both topics very well. 

- The author shares at the beginning of each chapter a personal experience. Some are very good stories while others are okay. 

- There are some etiquette topics that - even for Etiquette Professionals - would be new, such as: Tobacconist Tips for the Cigar Enthusiast, etiquette Tips on: Poker, Skyboxes, Triathlons, NASCAR races, Tattoo Studios, traveling on cruises, service animal etiquette etc. 

- That there was an Etiquette Quiz at the beginning. Readers always love to test their Etiquette IQ. 

- Every chapter had some illustrations that highlight the most important tips on a certain topic. It makes it more memorable for the reader. 

- Some topics provided concrete examples, e.g. how to write an effective Thank-you note or sentences you should avoid when trying to comfort a person with a life-threatening disease. 

- The Questions & Answers section at the end that answers very interesting etiquette dilemmas, e.g. how to unfriend someone on Facebook. 

* How would I rate it? 

I would give it a 9.5 out of 10. 

* I would have given it a 10, if it ....

- would have included more personal stories and experiences throughout the book not just at the beginning of each chapter.  

- would have had a conclusion at the end of the book. It ends with a Questions & Answer session which I find a bit abrupt. 

The book could have provided: 

- a final personal experience from the author that demonstrates that also nowadays manners DO matter 

or 

- repeated the same quiz that has been presented at the beginning. It would have allowed the reader to see how effective the lessons from the book have been. Have the mistakes in the first quiz (before reading the book) been avoided in the second, same quiz (after reading the book)?  

"Make yourself or your friends, relatives and acquaintances a special gift this year..... buy Patricia's Rossi etiquette book! This might be the best investment you might have ever made in your own personal development. A book that teaches you how to feel at ease and confident in any social as well as professional situation." Karin Schroeck-Singh

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