Robin Abrahams

A psychologist/comedian writing about manners? I couldn't think of anyone better suited. A lot of the book covered different viewpoints and things to consider when doing things, since there really is no one right way to do anything in today's society. The most important things are good intentions and giving others the benefit of the doubt. The conclusion was the best part, not only summarizing the content but also adding specific advice and seven principles:

1. Acknowledge conflicting values.
2. Balance the real and the ideal.
3. Assume good intent.
4. Wear your ignorance gracefully.
5. Accept the inevitability of screwing up.
6. Err on the "right" side.
7. Realize that you always have a choice.

Food for thought: Many people seem to think that manners are going downhill- it certainly seems that way, right? Well this author brings up a very interesting, and uplifting, point: "in the past forty years or so, for the first time in human history, the modern West has signed on to the idea that courtesy should be extended to everybody." Until now, there have always been certain groups that were seen as unworthy by "society": women, blacks, handicapped, etc.

Best advice for me: taking chances is a good thing. "Confidence doesn't mean believing that all your comments will be welcome and your jokes laughed at -- it means believing that you can survive if they're not."… (plus d'informations)