Amy AlkonGood Manners for Nice People who Sometimes say F*ck

You need to read this book.The world we live in today, isn't the world we grew up in. We are living, so to speak, in an Age of Rudeness, where we all live in 'strangerhoods' (as opposed to neighbourhoods) spend most of our spare time with our faces buried in our smartphones and give approximately zero f**ks about people we don't know and don't like.The immense, overarching relevance of this book lies in its title : all of us like to believe we're fundamentally nice people. But yet, as this book will show you, we're all capable of forgetting our manners and resorting to selfish, rage fueled, downright rude behaviour (in my particular case, this usually happens when I'm driving).Simply put : this is a book we ALL need to read.Immensely entertaining and not even remotely preachy, Amy Alkon ticks off all the various pain points we go through on a daily basis - from bad drivers and annoying call centre executives to people using their cell phones in movie halls and dealing with people who just don't get the hint. Through it all, we're told not just how to deal with said problems, but to do so with wit, grace, and a much needed smattering of class.I loved this book, even though it held up a mirror to the way I sometimes behave myself.Unless you never step out of your home or were recently declared a Saint by the Catholic Church, you need to read this book. Trust me. I'm a nice person (even though I sometime say F**k).

There are books on manners that bore the hell out of you.This is NOT one of them.Take Emily Proust and blend her with a generous dollop of Stephen Fry, flavour with Michael Moore. Now, make the blend write a book on manners.And you might get a book like Good Manners For Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ckFor, this is not one of those list-y books about what is right and wrong when it comes to behaviour.Nay, this is one rip-roaring ride through the world of etiquette. From Facebook to Interviews to Dates to Driving to Dinner, it's all here.Narrated more often than not with a laugh.No, it is not light-hearted. There is some serious research in here as well.But what you come away is with a lot of common sense blended with humour on how to behave in different situations.Must read.Not just for the knowledge.But for the smiles.

Good

This is one of the funniest books that I've read in a while.It is well written with great anecdotes throughout to highlight the points Amy is trying to get across. I now have several friends now reading this book and enjoying it, it's a book that's hard to put down and appropriately pointed with the science to back up the talking points for those interested in digging further and at an accessible level that allows those not scientificically inclined to enjoy it. The message throughout and her final summary are saliant and if more people followed the sort of advice she shares the world would be a nicer place for all.I think my only detraction of the book is there is a high probability most of the people choosing to read probably follow a lot of the principles Amy set's out but it would make a great gift for that person that makes you want to say the word and hopefully reduce the need to use the word around them at least :)

When I see the word f*ck in the title, I always wonder which way it’s going to go. My curiosity was piqued and so I brought it. I LOVED this book! It’s not difficult: treat strangers with dignity, be friendly and avoid hostility. Set a good example. You never know who you’re making a fool out of yourself in front of. This book is insightfully written and will make you reflect on how you may have unwittingly treated people. Amy writes with humour and I could see myself in many situations she describes. There is great advice on so many modern difficult situations for everyone. If you’d like an enjoyable, funny and easy to read guide to manners, put Amy Alkon’s book on your reading list.

What more people should read and practise.

I've bought Amy Alkon's latest book, Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck, four times. A hard copy, audiobooks for myself and a friend, and most recently in e-book format so I can take it everywhere. It's that good a read. Ms. Alkon is funny, witty, and her advice, which I first started reading in her syndicated column "The Advice Goddess," is firmly grounded in science. As a student of evolutionary psychology, Ms. Alkon doesn't bother with political correctness - just truths, entertainingly written in her matter-of-fact yet endearing style.On why it's not shallow, just biology, when a man sees external, not internal beauty, Ms. Alkon's delivers the stingingly funny line, "The penis is not a philanthropic organization and will not get hard because a woman bought a homeless guy a sandwich."While Ms. Alkon's column is largely geared toward relationship advice, ultimately manners are all about relationships. The book covers dating (or meeting) dos and donts, but also the finer points of all things manners including communication in the digital age, how to be a good neighbor (and what makes a bad one), travel, being a good friend... the book is a roadmap to Not Being A Jerk, but it also tells us how to apologize and fix it when we are.If you want to know what to do when you realize you've just used your fish fork to eat salad (quelle horror!), this isn't the book you're looking for. If you want to know how to behave in a way that makes you welcome anywhere, pick up a copy of this book post haste!

I commonly spend Sunday afternoons at the U is Washington bookstore, Bellevue branch. Comfortable seating, fireplace, snack bar, a good place to renew my ties to UDUB, where I was student, grad, full professor, department chairman and faculty senator. My usual modus is to compile about 20 books and magazines into a shopping cart, and then review each thoroughly to select those I buy, typically more than half. This book by Amy Alkon had grabber title. Having spent over 20 years in the Air Force, I am a nice retired colonel who doesn't hesitate to say f*uck, except in the presence of minors.I sampled several sections at random, and quickly identified it as a keeper. When I git home, I insisted on reading a good chunk of the aloud to my wife. Very funny, laughing out loud funny, and we both agreed that at its foundation, it contained sensible advice. It was like a print edition of Bill Maher on Real Time, a Friday night ritual ritual for us. I have since sent copies to daughters and friends. As we all know, the current news contains very little sunshine. This book was a welcome break from the right evangelical BS that is poisoning our country. Educated liberals will love this book and redneck bible thumpers will likely hate it.The book was a joyful diversion. If you don't laugh, life will make you cry.