Be Charming--Modern Manners: A Teach Yourself Guide

by Cyster, Edward

• ISBN13: 9780071740197
• ISBN10: 0071740198
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-20
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Summary

Today's society is fraught with peril for the unsuspecting - should you use your mobile on the train? Is it okay to strip off in the gym changing rooms? Kiss or shake? Since the wrong move can lose friends and destroy a professional image, here is a clear path through every minefield, to help you dazzle your way through even the trickiest dinner party. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Edward Cyster runs Elite Etiquette, which offers a range of finishing and development courses for men and women. Francesca Young is an expert in presentation skills and a former correspondent for The Economist.

Table of Contents

Meet the authors	p. xiii
Only got a minute?	p. xiv
Only got five minutes?	p. xvi
Only got ten minutes?	p. xviii
Introduction	p. xxii
Introductions	p. 1
The value of a good introduction	p. 1
How to make an introduction	p. 2
Handshake or kiss?	p. 5
How to execute the perfect handshake	p. 6
Networking events	p. 7
The art of making conversation	p. 10
Suitable topics for conversation	p. 10
Answering the question 'How are you?'	p. 13
Commenting on change	p. 14
When you are uncomfortable with a topic of conversation	p. 14
Balancing conversation	p. 15
Extricating yourself from conversation	p. 15
Mobile phone etiquette	p. 17
When to take a call	p. 17
Other functions of the phone	p. 20
Answerphone etiquette	p. 20
Your phone is not a weapon	p. 21
Mobile phone basics	p. 21
Texting versus calling	p. 21
Work etiquette	p. 24
Welcoming newcomers	p. 24
Making the tea	p. 24
Office romance	p. 25
Office politics	p. 26
Clients	p. 27
Bonus day	p. 27
Borrowing desk space	p. 28
Personal appearance	p. 28
Desk appearance	p. 29
Eating at your desk	p. 30
Open-plan offices	p. 30
Telephone manners (as distinct from mobile phone manners)	p. 31
Introductions	p. 32
Use of computers	p. 33
Emailing	p. 33
Dealing with your boss	p. 34
Complaining to your boss about others	p. 34
Negotiating a pay rise	p. 35
Quitting	p. 36
If made redundant or fired	p. 37
Out-of-office socializing	p. 37
Gossip	p. 38
Giving to work collections	p. 38
Business travel abroad	p. 39
Business dining etiquette	p. 40
House sharing	p. 43
Renting	p. 44
Choosing flatmates	p. 45
Day-to-day issues	p. 49
Personal hygiene and general courtesy	p. 52
Throwing parties	p. 55
Moving out	p. 56
Miscellaneous	p. 57
Living as a couple	p. 57
Being a good host and guest	p. 59
Hosting a dinner party	p. 59
Hosting parties	p. 61
Special notes for the host	p. 62
Having friends to stay at your home	p. 64
Inviting friends on holiday	p. 65
Being a good guest	p. 66
The dinner party/party guest	p. 67
The weekend guest	p. 72
Special notes for the guest	p. 75
Thank-you notes and gifts	p. 76
Personal appearance	p. 79
Grooming	p. 80
Personal hygiene	p. 82
Day-to-day attire	p. 83
Work attire	p. 86
Formal attire	p. 88
General parties	p. 92
When unsure of what to wear	p. 93
Netiquette	p. 95
Email	p. 95
Email attachments	p. 97
Extra email functions	p. 98
Miscellaneous email etiquette	p. 98
Blogging	p. 99
Facebook	p. 100
Instant messaging	p. 104
Twitiquette	p. 106
Internet dating	p. 108
Forum etiquette	p. 110
Miscellaneous rules of internet etiquette	p. 112
Travelling	p. 114
Travel by car	p. 114
Travel by air	p. 116
Travel by train and bus	p. 121
Travel by sea	p. 122
Etiquette abroad	p. 125
Dining etiquette	p. 130
Place settings	p. 130
A list of 'don'ts'	p. 133
How to use chopsticks	p. 134
Napkins	p. 138
Toothpicks	p. 139
Wine	p. 139
Appropriate conversation topics	p. 142
How to complain	p. 143
Getting the attention of staff	p. 143
Champagne	p. 143
Difficult foods	p. 144
Trying new foods	p. 153
Canapes	p. 153
Invasion of personal space	p. 154
Paying	p. 154
Public speaking	p. 157
General pointers for public speaking	p. 157
Toasts	p. 158
Introductions	p. 160
Main speakers	p. 161
Making a presentation	p. 162
Accepting an award	p. 163
Vote of thanks	p. 163
Speaking on the radio or on television	p. 164
City survival	p. 166
Walking speed	p. 166
Crossing roads	p. 167
Mind your bags	p. 168
Escalators and elevators	p. 168
The underground and buses	p. 169
Paying for shopping	p. 170
At the ATM	p. 171
Taxis	p. 171
Relationship etiquette	p. 174
First principles	p. 175
Dating	p. 177
Meeting family and friends	p. 181
Breaking up	p. 182
Combining partners and friends	p. 186
Argument etiquette	p. 189
Surviving special occasions	p. 191
Births	p. 191
Deaths	p. 193
Showers	p. 194
Hen and stag nights	p. 195
Weddings	p. 195
Religious ceremonies	p. 197
Graduations	p. 197
Hospital visits	p. 197
Birthdays	p. 198
Disabilities	p. 200
Basics	p. 200
Wheelchair users	p. 202
The hearing impaired	p. 202
The visually impaired	p. 203
Those with speech impairments	p. 204
Other disabilities	p. 205
Mind your language	p. 205
The heterosexual's guide to homosexuality	p. 208
Basics	p. 208
Coming out	p. 209
Who can you tell?	p. 211
Unsuitable topics of conversation	p. 211
Straight weddings and births	p. 212
Gay weddings	p. 213
Divorce	p. 213
Sporting etiquette	p. 216
General sporting etiquette	p. 216
Gym etiquette	p. 217
Changing room etiquette	p. 219
Miscellaneous etiquette	p. 222
Tipping in Britain	p. 222
Using toilets outside your own home	p. 224
MP3 player etiquette	p. 225
Festival/gig etiquette	p. 226
Library etiquette	p. 227
Pregnant women	p. 228
Swearing	p. 228
Language	p. 229
Drinking in bars	p. 230
Punctuality	p. 231
Opening doors	p. 231
Sneezing	p. 232
Body language	p. 232
Specific etiquette pointers for him and her	p. 232
Exam etiquette	p. 233
Gift giving	p. 235
Gift receiving	p. 235
Theatres and live shows	p. 236
Guessing ages	p. 236
How to accept a compliment	p. 236
Children	p. 237
Family and friends	p. 238
Conclusion	p. 240
Taking it further	p. 241
Index	p. 244
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