Would It Kill You To Stop Doing That
A Modern Guide to Manners
Published on 5. April 2012
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-446-55766-5 (ISBN)
Description
A few years ago, humourist 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 and 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.
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 and 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.
Reviews / Votes
Is it a breach of good manners to mislead folks just a little if you are going to show them a good time? The question arises after a brisk and happy trot through Henry Alford's new book, WOULD IT KILL YOU TO STOP DOING THAT?... Lively. - The New York TimesInvestigative humorist Henry Alford explores the illusive art of behaving well... Alford is a charming writer, who seems able to spin delightful stuff from whatever straw he happens to stumble across, and his rumination on good behavior is no exception. - Salon.com
[His] self-deprecating wit recalls earlier generations of gentlemanly humor writers... Alford offers a...nearly always charming account of his own confusion about how to act. - The Boston Review
Alford is a razory-wicked, fun guy to be around, and each of his stories are like those 'tiny acts of grace' brightening your day. - Kirkus
Mr. Manners Henry Alford explains how-and why-to behave. WOULD IT KILL YOU TO STOP DOING THAT? amuses as it informs. - The New York Times Book Review
[Alford] describes life as a cosmic Wikipedia, in which each of us through our actions is redefining and expanding the categories to which we belong. The book alternates between these idiosyncratic digressions and actual commentary on modern manners...consistently fun. - Newsday
Extremely entertaining... Whatever the ideals may be, most of us can agree decent manners are a good idea. Thanks to this handbook, we stand a better chance of complying. - Bookpage
Even the best behaved among us would benefit from a close reading of investigative humorist Henry Alford's brilliant primer on gracious living, Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That? - Vanity Fair
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Little, Brown & Company
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
497 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-446-55766-5 (9780446557665)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2012
Grand Central Publishing
€5.99
Available for download
Person
Henry Alford is the author of three acclaimed works of investigative humor including How To Live: A Seach for Wisdom from Old People (While They are Still on this Earth)