Rating: 
Summary: Too ambitious for what it *really* is
Review: Sassy, yes. Funny, perhaps. Legit, nope.This you need to be told: their advice is not going to work in most parts of the US. If you're not running around with the Ivy League crowd and don't need advice on being a Cool Drunk, save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful AND Hysterical!
Review: I have been a big fan of the EG's website since the beginning and I am delighted to finally be able to carry their wise words (phrased with tongue firmly in cheek) around with me wherever I go. Now, when I have made a haystack of outfits out of my bed wondering what the occasion requires, I can just look it up. When I fantasize about my inevitable television appearances, I know just what I'll say. When I am in a new neighborhood looking for the right bar, I know all the warning signs. When I See You In Hell, you'll know just what you missed! I recommend this slim volume to everyone I meet and if you know me, you'll be getting one from St. Nick!
Rating:
Summary: Funny because it's true
Review: The Etiquette Grrls put rude and obnoxious people in their place with this wonderful book. They recall everyday situations with hilarious detail (the guy who always skimps on his portion of the lunch bill, the woman in a halter top who by all rights should NOT be wearing a halter top!), and they also give great advice for being your best in many common situations. The book really covers everything: restaurants, the workplace, holidays, traveling, roommates, parties... and it's all very funny and very true to life. I've read it twice straight through already, and keep it handy for quick reference.
Rating:
Summary: These Grrls Sure Are Sassy!
Review: In light of all the recent tragedy around the world, it seems like maybe a book about etiquette wouldn't be on my reading list. However, while having a hard time focusing on things in general, I'm finding this book to be a delight. This book is not only informative (who couldn't use a lesson in writing thank-you notes, when email notes are appropriate, cell phone etiquette, etc.?), but also hilarious. These two Grrls are wits, for sure. So if you're looking for something to take your mind off things, give this a shot. I think you'll be amused, and you'll learn something along the way.
Rating:
Summary: I Don't Get the EG Bashers
Review: Wow. I am astonished by the number of EG Bashers. Okay, if you have a literary criticism of their book, fine. But to critcize their looks? Their background and/or education? How inappropriate. Sounds like a case of the pea-greens to me. Why doesn't Amazon pull these personal attacks on the authors that have nothing to do with their book? In a recent review from Karen from Chicago, she takes umbrage to the EGs' fondness of Urban Decay nailpolish. What the heck? So what if that's their preferred brand? What's that got to do with the quality of the book? She also criticizes the Grrls' section on how to (kindly) treat The Help. This IS how you refer to the people who work for you. "Servants" is demeaning, especially toward people like The Help in places like your college dormitory, which is who they focus on -- in no way do they assume that anyone has an unrealistic huge "Upstairs, Downstairs"-like staff. What does she suggest they be called? Slaves? I found TYNTBT to be usuful and great fun. Emily Post is good for how to word your wedding invitations perhaps (although I much prefer my 1940 version to the current one), but the EGs dish the dirt on situations we all (especially young people) find ourselves in, and are flummoxed about -- and they make it an enjoyable read. I suggest if all these people think that the EGs' books and websites (www.EtiquetteGrrlStyle.com and www.EtiquetteGrrls.com) are such garbage that they be used as toilet paper (as another reader suggested) that they try to write their own series of books and maintain two popular websites. Maybe they think that the EGs are "snobs," but sour grapes are even less appealing.
Rating: 
Summary: good, depending on what you're looking for
Review: While the Grrls come off as rich brats at times, a good portion of their guidelines are helpful and make sense. While college students will never stop wearing PJs to their 8AM classes, I do hope that people will learn to stop those annoying email forwards that we have all seen 100 times, and that not everyone wants to hear their cell phone call. Also includes information on dress (what white tie, business casual, etc. mean) and how to be a good house guest.
Rating:
Summary: There's a difference between having class and being a snob
Review: I regretfully admit that there is some useful information in the book, it was definately an irritating book to read. The other reviewers have chalked up the bad reviews to not having a sense of humor about it. I get the humor, I just don't find it funny. The random French words are just plain pretentious, even if it was supposed to be a joke. The references to "dear reader" are annoying as well. These women appear to be snobs simply because they enjoy feeling superior than everyone else. There is a distinction between being a snob and having class. They address the part about being a snob, they neglect the parts about having class. Personally, I don't believe making left-handed compliments as a way of insulting someone in a witty way is ever appropriate no matter what the situation. It is also inappropriate to ever call the people who work for you "help". They say they fight rudeness with "cutting remarks". These cutting remarks are often rudeness in and of themselves. The portions on dressing (white tie/black tie/semi formal) were good, as well as the gift registry etiquette was absolutely correct (although I doubt those who actually need that advice would pick up this book). Their writing style is undeniably affected and no matter how tongue-in-cheek, blatantly and unforgivably pretentious. Also, Urban Decay nail polish is chips very easily (there's a reason InStyle listed OPI and Essie as the best polishes).
Rating: 
Summary: Some of the 'reviewers' prove the EG's point...
Review: ...that there are lots of rude and tacky people out there. I find it amusing how much this book touches people's nerves. I haven't read the book yet, but I just bought it after spending some time on their site. I don't think I'll end up agreeing with everything they write, but I also don't think I need to do so in order to appreciate what they're trying to do. The world is small, the population keeps growing and etiquette is nothing more than an agreed-upon set of behavioral rules that allows all of us to co-exist peacefully and gracefully in an ever-shrinking place without having to re-invent the wheel every time we meet a stranger or a friend. In a nutshell - it's about being considerate of others' feelings, having pride and security in your own self enough to not have to impose your presence on total strangers. It's really not that difficult a concept to understand and I suspect those who voice the most virulent opposition to it are the ones who most need to heed it.
To be fair, I do find the capitalizaton and French-word peppering to be excessive and more than a bit distracting and 'precious' - it's just not my style - but it's their gimmick and apparently it works well for them.
Rating:
Summary: A Tedious Read
Review: I love reading etiquette books. I love the mannered style of actual etiquette authorities, and if I want a good chuckle as well, the gently cutting humor of Miss Manners always satisfies. So I thought this would be a fun read. What it is, in fact, is an exercise in self-indulgence from a couple of authors who fancy themselves quite witty, but who have little of worth to impart. For instance, they tell us that no one who knows anything about anything would drink so vulgar a liquor as tequila, but that only shows they know nothing about tequila. Sure if you order a frozen margarita with Cuervo and sour mix you will come off rather déclassé (if that matters to you), but the point is, they are making judgments about issues on which they are clearly ignorant. Not charming - and not even correct.
Moreover, this book seems to exist in a weird time warp. What is their fascination with Doc Martens? Is it 1994? I could understand if this book had actually been written in 1994 (although it's best never to date your material by referencing so specific a fad), but apparently the book was published in the twenty-first century! I was supposed to be charmed by their "quirky" habit of pairing twin-sets with combat boots, but I was merely jarred by the anachronistic reference. Some advice for the grrls: if we are going to make fun of others' fashion choices, it is well to remember that Grunge is Dead.
I should add that I am not terribly offended by snobbery (particularly the tongue-in-cheek kind); I simply feel that if this book was supposed to be funny and useful, it failed on the first function and got a barely-passing grade on the second. If you go in for obvious and overdone affectations (like the lamented Random Capitalization), you might find this book as charming as the authors hope you will. I found it simply tiresome and will be returning to my trusty Miss Manners forthwith.
Rating:
Summary: More like the Etiquette Old Girls, Dahl-link!
Review: While the authors were amusing and well-versed in their subject matter, I have two pet peeves which I cannot help but voice. Firstly, on fashion - while dressing appropriately for an occasion is an important part of etiquette, one does not need to emulate the EGs distinctly preppy, East Coast look in order to be mindful of etiquette. For example, the list of clothing that is "never, ever acceptable" has very little to do with etiquette, but is rather a list of fashion pet-peeves. If I should happen to chose to wear a day-glo pink sweater with a bunny on it on my Saturday afternoon out, I would certainly be committing a crime against good fashion taste, it would not be an offense of manners. One does not have to wear a Lilly sundress and Prada sandals in order to be polite. I personally happen to enjoy their fashion sense, but I do think that their designer name-dropping is slightly distasteful. Secondly, for two such women who pride themselves (repeatedly) on their excellent educations, they do themselves and their alma maters a considerable injustice with their shamelss overuse of the Random Capitalization school of writing. A good writer is able to get his or her point across without gimmicks. Plus, darlings, what would dear F. Scott Fitzgerald say? Lastly, and most importantly, I must also add that this is not so much an etiquette book as an ettiquette, fashion and lifestyle manifesto. There is nothing wrong with this, and I would like to heartily compliment Ms. Carlin and Ms. Ervin on their good taste. However, while etiquette rules are not hard and fast, they are closer to hard and fast than fashion and lifestyle. A reader is right to take their word that one should wear black to funerals, but feel free to question their style.
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