Synopsis
A few years ago, humorist and journalist Henry Alford found himself "reverse-apologizing": offering apologies for other people, on their behalf, when they failed to do so themselves. Ever since, he's realized he needed to take a closer look at manners-his own, and others'.
In WOULD IT KILL YOU TO STOP DOING THAT? he interviews experts both likely (Miss Manners, Tim Gunn) and unlikely (a former prisoner, an army sergeant). He volunteers himself as a tour guide for foreigners visiting New York City, and as an online etiquette coach for his friends. He travels to Japan. He teaches Miss Manners how to steal a cab. He designates the World's Most Annoying Bride.
Providing answers to questions like, Why shouldn't you ask a cabdriver where's he's from?, and Why is posting baby pictures on Facebook a fraught activity?, this hilarious and non-elitist book looks past the standard "dos" and "don't's" of good form, in search of ways we can treat each other better.
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About the Author
Henry Alford is the author of three acclaimed works of investigative humor - How To Live: A Seach for Wisdom from Old People (While They are Still on this Earth); Big Kiss: One Actor's Desperate Attempt to Claw His Way to the Top; and Municipal Bondage: One Man's Anxiety-Producing Adventures in the Big City. He has been a regular contributor to the New York Times and Vanity Fair, and a staff writer at Spy. He has also written for The New Yorker, GQ, New York, Details, Harper's Bazaar, Travel & Leisure, the Village Voice, and Paris Review. He lives in Manhattan
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00084109949
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That : A Modern Guide to Manners
Published by
Grand Central Publishing, 2013
ISBN 10: 044655765X
ISBN 13: 9780446557658
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Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners
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Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # P03H-00235
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners
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paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_454971280
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That?: A Modern Guide to Manners
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That?: A Modern Guide to Manners
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That?: A Modern Guide to Manners
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Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That?: A Modern Guide to Manners
Seller: Remarks Used Books, Pittsfield, MA, U.S.A.
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Soft cover. Condition: As New. First trade edition: February 2013, 1st printing. 242pp. Bright, clean & tight copy, unread, in AS NEW condition. "'We all know bad manners when we see them,' NPR and Vanity Fair contributor Henry Alford observes. When someone answers their cell phone in the middle of dining with you, or runs you off the sidewalk with their doublewide stroller, or you enter a post-apocalyptic public restroom, the long-revered wisdom of Emily Post can seem downright prehistoric. [] Alford embarks on a journey to find out how things might look if people were on their best behavior a tad more often. He travels to Japan (the "Fort Knox Reserve" of good manners) to observe its culture of collective politesse. He interviews etiquette experts both likely (Judith Martin, Tim Gunn) and unlikely (a former prisoner, an army sergeant). He plays a game called Touch the Waiter. And he volunteers himself as a tour guide to foreigners visiting New York City in order to do ground-level reconnaissance on cultural manners divides. Along the way he also finds time to teach Miss Manners how to steal a cab and designates the World's Most Annoying Bride. [] Ultimately, by tackling the etiquette questions specific to our age--such as Why shouldn't you ask a cab driver where he's from? and Why is posting baby pictures on Facebook a fraught activity? and What's the problem with 'No problem'?--Alford finds a wry and warm way into a subject that has sometimes been seen as pedantic or elitist. He looks past the standard 'dos' and 'don'ts' of good form to present an illuminating, seriously entertaining book about grace and civility, and how we can simply treat each other better." [publisher copy] "A lively meditation . . . assorted useful advice . . . Alford is particularly fine and funny on how to conduct proper party conversation."--New York Times. Pristine paperback w/sharp corners & crisp edges, a square & tight binding w/no creases in spine. Quite presentable. Seller Inventory # RUB2918