Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: How to be a Gentleman with a dash of humor! Review: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy for all men aspiring tobecome Gentlemen in this modern world of cell phones & feminists,blind people & the President.How to start & endconversations; what is expected of you at funeral services, weddings,in houses of worship & at concerts. There are a few ripe thingsa Gentleman does not do in public which I shall leave to yourimagination & discovery in this delightfully crisp, eminently wise& occasionally tongue-in-well-shaven-cheek book! An Invitationto the White House & Meeting the President are two adventures anyAmerican can dream about & here are some clues as to how to behaveas if to the manner born! The Etiquette of the Office Break Room isan eye-opener & certainly culls the princes from theGentlemen! An excellent coffee table or poet's corner browser;highly recommended as a Bar Mitzvah, Confirmation or Graduationgift. Even a Groom & a Best Man would benefit from inculcating thewisdom divulged, it might even rub off on them; especially thesuggestions regarding toilet seats & personal affects...
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: How to be a Gentleman with a dash of humor! Review: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy for all men aspiring tobecome Gentlemen in this modern world of cell phones & feminists,blind people & the President. How to start & endconversations; what is expected of you at funeral services, weddings,in houses of worship & at concerts. There are a few ripe thingsa Gentleman does not do in public which I shall leave to yourimagination & discovery in this delightfully crisp, eminently wise& occasionally tongue-in-well-shaven-cheek book! An Invitationto the White House & Meeting the President are two adventures anyAmerican can dream about & here are some clues as to how to behaveas if to the manner born! The Etiquette of the Office Break Room isan eye-opener & certainly culls the princes from theGentlemen! An excellent coffee table or poet's corner browser;highly recommended as a Bar Mitzvah, Confirmation or Graduationgift. Even a Groom & a Best Man would benefit from inculcating thewisdom divulged, it might even rub off on them; especially thesuggestions regarding toilet seats & personal affects...
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: A simple book. Review: A couple of interesting details here and there, a simple reference book for the occasional gentleman.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A useful guide. Review: A most handy book that reinforces nearly forgotten etiquette, and teaches some rules you never learned. Most items are short one-or-two-liners that are easy to remember. Read this book and then pass it along.... the world needs all the help it can get as true gentlemen seem to be in short supply.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: A mixed bag Review: A portion of the book is common sense, a portion gives practical guidelines for entertaining, a portion is about consideration for others and a portion is simply archaic or outright sexist. The book opens rather condescendingly with "There comes a time in every mans life when his mother is not around any more". There follow recommendations for being thoughtful of others, how to set a dinner table and for some reason a note on lowering the toilet lid whenever a female may be near. This item in particular, given the changes in sexual politics over the years, suggests that females are not sufficiently adroit to operate a toilet lid. Other questionable advice includes the admonition to read the New York times at least three times a week, this being more of an imposition of a political stance than a point about the merits of being well read. Still, the book offers enough valuable advice to make it worth the time to read.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Mostly Excellent Review: About 90% of what is in here is very good advice, (albeit few of us are in the august social level that some would only apply to) But the world would be a better place if people followed it. But Mr. Bridges is not the last word on this subject, as I took issue with maybe a dozen of his points. Interesting that another reviewer picked out some of the same ones. Here are a few: 1. Wearing an undershirt. Not at all necessary with sport shirts, does look better with a dress shirt,I admit, but I personally hate them, and since I don't sweat much and live in a cool climate, who cares. 2. Moving someone's laundry. I see nothing wrong with this. 3. Accepting first invitation. Maybe if you get a lot of invitations, but for people like me, no way!. (I would never go back on one already accepted, however). 4. "Gentlemen don't dye their hair or mustache". Very outdated and sexist view, although the author is entitled to his personal preference. I also find some of the tone of the book pretentious, and not taking into account people's different personalities. e.g., as an introverted person there is no use trying to make myself the life of the party and thus being unconfortable and disingenuous. Make some rounds, then stick to one person if that's what makes you happy.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Foolish beyond belief Review: Although there are a few bits of useful information spinkled herein, they are inconsistent. Much of the "information" appears to be directed to barbarians (e.g., a gentleman doesn't pick his nose in public). A better book, by far, would give some rationale for why we should or shouldn't do certain things. A gentleman doesn't waste money on this book.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: How to Be a Gentleman Review: Finally something is written to help teach a man, hopefully a young man (catch him when he is young - no bad habits) the proper ways to conduct himself and the way he should show respect for others. My son received this as a gift. We have both read it and are glad he has it. He has learned about everything from how to shake hands, how to introduce someone and why he should carry a handkerchief.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Good start for the man aspiring to be a gentleman. Review: How to Be a Gentleman, by John Bridges, is a good start for the man aspiring to be a gentleman dispensing not so common "common sense" but seemingly lacking. The book is organized into chapters by subject such as conduct at a dinner party or conduct at the office. Some situations are elaborated on such as how to tie a bow tie or order a bottle of wine but the majority of the book is just a series of maxims loosely grouped by subject. This book seems to be more of a pocket guide to gentleman's etiquette than a comprehensive book. This book is perhaps a good gift for a young man, recent graduate or the man starting on his quest to becoming a gentleman. But, I am left wanting more.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Small book, but packed full of timeless etiquette! Review: I am a woman, and I enjoyed this book! Men, believe me, it does make a difference to women when we cross paths with a man who handles himself in a proper manner. Etiquette is something that will never go out of style. On my job, I have seen many smiles on women's faces because a man held the door open or stepped aside so that she may enter the elevator first. Thank you Mr Bridges for writing a book that is enjoyable and easy to read.
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