Rating: 
Summary: Sense and Sensibility
Review: I simply fail to understand the many bad reviews of this book... It makes me wonder if these reviewers have read the book at all. In fact, the EGs gear their advice to Everyman -- the rich, the poor, and everyone in-between... If the EGs were "snobby," do you think they'd be hanging out at "the Hi-Ho Beer Barrel Tavern?" They tell you how to set an elegant dinner table with hand-me-downs, or cheap china from Target. The EGs tell their readers how to live graciously, regardless of their income tax bracket. And what's so wrong with that? Must we all be slobs if we weren't born with a silver spoon in our mouths?...To sum up, the EGs have a neat little volume here, which serves everyone well -- young men and women from all walks of life. They're extremely wise, and tell us The Things We All Need To be Told with grace and good humor. I only wish that there were more like these young authoresses in the world.
Rating: 
Summary: There is a reason you need to be told these things.
Review: First and foremost, despite its claims otherwise, this book is not a true book on etiquette. Indeed, much common sense etiquette is actually contradicted in this book. Rather, it is a book on how on to act in high society. If you are not at least upper middle class, I would not bother with this book; you will become frustrated with many of the pricy and otherwise impractical suggestions it mentions. For what the book is(a book on how to act in high society), it is actually quite good. It goes into great detail in describing the quirks and foibles of the upper class. The fashion advice, the faux feminism, and general snobbery described in this book are all among the strange behavior that has perplexed me for years. Thankfully, after reading this book, I now have a better understanding of such behavior, and am better able to blend in when forced to interact with such people.
Rating:
Summary: Satirical, but Savvy
Review: I wholeheartedly agree with the readers who have praised this book. It's true, the authors have clearly adoped literary personae to get their points across. Sure, they use figures of speech, such as hyperbole and sarcasm, but this is always very amusing. As for their "Random Capitalization"? It's charming, and has a long history of usuage -- A.A. Milne (of Winnie the Pooh fame) was a fan, for one. The EGs' advice is solid, sensible, and are truly Things We Need to Be Told. From what to wear on all occasions to how to behave in church, to how to throw a great cocktail party, I, for one, would trust their advice on anything. The EGs' have a new book out ("More Things You Need to Be Told,") as well as a new website, EtiquetteGrrlStyle.com, both of which are fun to read as well. I look forward to hearing more from the EGs soon!
Rating:
Summary: Great info and entertainment!
Review: In the midst of Britney-like halter tops and cell phones used during funerals, the EG's like to remind us that we can be polite and refined -- despite the fact the world can be tacky. Whether's it's proper apparel or just plain manners, the EG's like to talk about the more classy things in life, how to get around certain subjects and rip on that which is considerably a social faux pas. As for the negative reviews here, the EG's have obviously gone over their heads with their brand of satirical humor. Their talk of gin and tonics, exasperated reactions and capped words (very much like Southern Belles) are ALL tongue-in-cheek. That's the joke on their side; the authors are actually "characters" in their book. They play up to their etiquette advice and it's too bad some people don't get it. They never come across better-than-thou to anyone -- except the people who are tacky enough to invite people to the bridal shower -- not the wedding. Along with their book, they have a great website which answers Q&As and are quite entertaining. Both are great reads and I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Is this the year I think it is?
Review: While reading this book, I was simply in awe. I had to check the publishing date. It seems that this book was published in 2001, although, it is obvious that it should have been written in the 1950's. The Etiquette Grrls are stuck in the 50's. I was amazed at the extreme conservative style of this book. I felt as though the authors were looking down upon people who wear color, rather than black... people who ask men out, rather than wait for the guy to make the first move... people who live like it is 2003! The Etiquette Grrls make reference to being from New England and how well bred the New England are... well to be honest... I also come from the New England area and I know many, many, many unbred, rude, obnoxious people who come from that area. I do give The Etiquette Grrls props for being so brave to publish such an out-of-date book and for having some decent ideas, but I feel that The Etiquette Grrls sould be prep school instructors. At least the people being exposed to these (sometimes) insane ideas, will be able to give them criticism in return. Someone needs to bring these "Grrls" up to speed in the new "modern world."
Rating:
Summary: Things you don't need to waste money on
Review: I have read quite a few books of this nature, and this, by far, is my least favorite. It is neither insightful, nor entertaining. This book has absolutely nothing to do with ettiquette and everything to do with the pet peeves of the authors. It is shallow, condescending and vapid. There are far superior books on the market. The Fabulous Girl's guide to Decorum is just one.
Rating: 
Summary: So over Emily Post
Review: I love this book. It is a great quick reference guide, or a good overall read, if you have questions about manners. I love the fact that the Grrls, are in my age group, and are reflecting modern society. Plus they have helped me win a few etiquette based bets!
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, the places etiquette has gone.
Review: Where have you gone, Judith Martin? Readers raise their jaded eyes to you. Alas, where to begin. I will not be the first to point out that the self-styled "EGs" do not have a clear understanding of what constitutes etiquette, or how it differs from social snobbery. (On their website they often respond to criticism or suggestions of disagreement with ridicule and sarcasm about as rude as they can make it.) The Random Capitalization is Ridiculous and makes their Writings look like Ramblings of some Teenage Girl's Homepage on Geocities (and may I just note that these are the same girls who insist that the Chicago Manual of Style applies to all written material, though -- as with so many, many other rules they create -- they apparently make an exception for themselves). Can anyone tell me what place brand snobbery has in etiquette? This is surely not a place for an extended ramble about how much one loves Urban Decay (and certainly not to blatantly beg for gift baskets for their endorsement). A thank-you note is a thank-you note is a thank-you note, regardless of whether it's written on Crane's stationery. And they actually include a section on how to deal with "the help" -- come ON. Instead of a conclusion, they take it upon themselves to tell MOVIE STARS how to dress and behave on red carpets. Do we think rather too much of ourselves, I think? The very title is the first indication of their tone and style: one does not go around pushing advice on other people and telling them how to behave, and the presumption of these brats that I need to be told these things and they are the only ones who can do it makes me want to send them straight back to those boarding schools they're always bragging about to learn some manners. And by the way, a demerit system to punish people who don't follow their rules? Please. I could go on and on about how much I dislike these grrls and how undeserving they are of any reputation for making the world safe for etiquette. Lesley and Honore, Judith Martin's successors? Say it ain't so! They're snobbish, rude, often shrill and hysterical, more focused on telling the world how pleased they are with themselves and that we should all model ourselves on their lives, than instructing and interpreting etiquette. There is practically nothing in this book that anyone over the age of 10 should need to be told, and the title is the first indication of their patronizing, self-satisfied pushiness. Really, they're a disgrace to the genre.
Rating:
Summary: nice reference for modern times
Review: this book follows up nicely to the advice and etiquette rules outlined on the etiquette grrls website - which i love. obviously there is much more substance and the areas explored are more diverse. today's society NEEDS to be more polite, NEEDS a simple little guide like this, and i realize that is precisely what the two authors had in mind. this isn't the enormous emily post guide, this isn't glossy. it's small, affordable and manageable. these authors want to appeal to the masses- and the masses need it! it's a good little guide, a starting point (and i understand their second book will be out soon). my only complaint would be: the two authors are very conservative, very WASP/white/old-fashioned. this is good for entertainment value, but sometimes their point-of-view seems exclusionary.
Rating:
Summary: Things You Don't Need to Be Told
Review: The primary aim of any etiquette guide is to gently remind people that etiquette doesn't exist to reinforce social strata, but rather that it is a tool for helping people treat others with consideration and courtesy, and for helping people react to inconsiderate or uncourteous behavior with aplomb. Unfortunately, this book tends to fall into the etiquette-as-social-strata category, stressing dictums that have less to do with etiquette and more to do with signifying that you are One Of The Smart Prep Set. If you, like the authors, yearn to swaddle yourself in the tweedy cocoon of the New England prep-school set, you'll like this book because it's a manual of how to pass as one of them. You will not know how to comport yourself with social grace, but that probably wasn't why you were interested in this book to begin with. Buy your little Coach bag at the mall and pass our best wishes on to the Grrls. If you smile indulgently at the idea of Urban Decay nailpolish being either wildly rebellious or an appropriate topic for an etiquette guide (two opinions the authoresses put forth, since to them, Brand Names Are Appropriate For Etiquette Discussions), then you're better off with that great wit and grand doyenne of manners, Judith Martin. Her books will impart what you need to be told, and do so in a lively, pleasing manner. This one will not.
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