How to Behave

A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged. Caroline Tiger. Quirk Books, Philadelphia. 2003.

This one would be a great little gift book for those people who just spent the 90's absorbing "Seinfeld" as though it were emblematic of American culture. Actually, I see this also in the hands of the newly riche (good jobs, before having any kids), as they're flying from LA to NY and they've already completed their presentation on their laptop and need some "down time"

Basically the book is what the subtitle claims, and it is sort of an Emily Post Etiquette for the 21st Century dude/ette. It covers everything: planes/cars/dating/laundromat/ noisy neighbor's dogs, everything. For example, rules such as "music is fine in apartment living, but should be turned off by 10:30. By 11:00 it's perfectly acceptable to call the cops."

Stuff like that. And like all good handbooks these days, it fits right into your pocket, and is enterlaced with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour with each insightful little etiquette rule.

I'd say buy it for your friend who just moved into their first apartment in the big city. They'd probably get the most fun/use out of it.

VG