<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Crass, tacky grrls
Review: Filled with name-dropping, label-dropping, and snobby "witticisms," this book is an ugly, mean book. Far from a book on how to behave, it's a guidebook on things *not* to do. If it's meant to be funny, it failed, at least for me.
Rating: 
Summary: What Can I Say?
Review: Here's the deal, "Grrls". Your audience, the young ladies and gents of the world, could care less about your breeding. Breeding does not a refined person make, nor does wearing a black dress and pearls, urban decay nail polish, or a twinset. Refinement comes from treating others with dignity, and from knowing the difference between advice and insult. Etiquette comes from respect not only for tradition, but also from a love of others, and a desire to be kind and gentle in your dealings with others. Etiquette is not about whether or not you follow trends or like Andrew Lloyd Webber. Etiquette is simply treating other people well, something in which these Grrls could use a few lessons. This book is nothing more than a diatribe against anything the Grrls don't like. These "Grrls" suggest that if one doesn't care for the same books, movies, music, TV, etc, that one is somehow lacking in social grace. I suggest a different perspective: The Etiquette Grrls hide behind such snobbery under the guise of "Etiquette" when really it is to cover some inferiority complex with which they struggle. I suggest that you look at this book as a warning: this is exactly what can happen if you let a string of pearls or an overpriced education determine your self-worth. Leave this on the shelf, then go out into the world, say please, say thank you, bite your tongue in anger, and use your own two hands to help a stranger in some way every day, and you will be more polite and refined than these Grrls could ever hope to be.
Rating:
Summary: Mere opinions, NOT a reference manual
Review: I kind of liked the Grrls first book and awaited their follow-up, hoping it would be less aimed at the post-college crowd.
It's a quick read, that's for sure, and I was about half way through the book when it dawned on me that this is not a researched or referenced piece, it's simply 2 girls sitting around over a bottle of wine dictating what they think it proper! I may drive a Volvo (the Grrls fav. car), but I certainly don't think it's "the only car" to drive. Who cares? The book has a lot of opinions like that... meaningless ones.
But what made me *literally* throw the book in the trash was the chapter on 'tipping'. Under tipping a maid at a hotel they think that you should leave a tip only at the END of your stay in a white envelope. You should NEVER do this. Even the finest hotels will tell you that. How ludicris to think that a hotel manager assigns a maid by GUEST. What if s/he is off on your final day of your stay? Always leave your tip daily to ensure that the proper person receives it.
And re: the postman. They state (and I quote) "they are paid rather well". Please define "rather well" and is this a reason NOT to tip? You should only tip those that are not paid at a level that YOU deem worthy? And I know that my mail has increased at a rate NOT comparible with their salary. My poor postman carried boxes and stacks of magazines and catalogues every day. He deserves a little appreciateion. And to state, "we're told that are not allowed to receive tips" is CRAZY. A simple phone call to their local post office would have given them FACTS and not OPINION for their "book". (they are allowed to receive no more that $20 in cash as a tip)
These Grrls were paid "rather well" by their publishers to deliver a well written and researched reference book to the public and all we got were some narrow, bland, white bread opinions. Yuck.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but will probably only appeal to some.
Review: More Things You Need to Be Told is not only an etiquette book, it is a lifestyle handbook as well. The Etiquette Grrls style and humor will probably only appeal to a limited number of people, and may come across as rather old fashioned & snobby to many. They do give common sense advice that alot of people seem to not follow (wearing tube tops in church, having a huge gift registery for your child's first birthday, etc.) but some things seem rather like fun, albeit unnesscesary gripes, such as the existence of annoying cell phone rings. However, you can just write that off as a tongue-in-cheek litte thing and get on with your life.
The EGs also include an extensive list of (mostly) classic films and books they deem necessary viewing/reading material, and a fashion 101 thing for boys. I definentely don't think anyone needs to follow their fashion advice seriously (it's only about how to follow a preppy-vintage thing) but you have to admit, it IS fun to read about. Some of their advice may be old-fashioned, but you are not obligated to take it seriously! I am rather annoyed by some bitter reviews of this book and the first EG book that gripe about how sour and caustic the EGs are. I am quite sure the Etiquette grrls know that you don't have to be an East coast preppy to be gracious and intelligent, but incorporating their personal tastes into their writing is a way to make it more fun. I enjoyed this book, and would definentely buy a third volume by the EGs.
Rating:
Summary: Worse than the first
Review: The first book was useful at certain points, but written in bad taste. This one has the same irritating writing style, but with pointless advice. The section on entertainment was pretty useless. It just recommends movies, books, and music to listen to. While I agreed with most of the choices of entertainment, I didn't buy the book so someone could tell me what to read, watch and listen to. Plus, they misquote Casablanca (It's "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world", they left out one part). Not that that's a big deal, but their editor should have probably caught that. I also did not like their criticism of Sondheim. There's no need to attack one of the finest composers of our generation (West Side Story and Passion are both brilliant). And, as for their mockery of Burberry, I happen to love the designer. It comes down to personal taste, but I find it superior to Coach and as for the fakes, any "connoisseur of the social graces" worth her salt can spot a fake a mile away so their concern that the abundance of fakes might damage their reputation if they carry Burberry is stupid. Also, if they purchase the brand name simply for the name and not because they like the product, this illustrates that their insecure and (unjustified) snobbish state of mind. Not recommended at all. I much preferred The Fabulous Girl's guide to decorum.
Rating:
Summary: Hateful Snobs
Review: These two girls are just awful. They are elitist snobs who name drop their way from start to finish in the book. The first book was kind of humorous but this one is just nasty!
Rating: 
Summary: Long-overdue, much needed information.
Review: This is one of the most timely books I have seen written on this subject today. If the person reading this book takes even 25% of the information to heart, then there is hope for this very rude world. The humor keeps the reader wanting to go from page to page and thereby picking up useful information while enjoying themselves. What a great book! I am going to buy several copies and give it to the rudest people I know, hoping they will enjoy the book in spite of themselves and the contents will rub off.
Rating:
Summary: Hateful Snobs
Review: Wow. Holllllllll-y Cow. I am astonished by the number of EG Bashers. Okay, if you have a literary criticism of their book, fine. But to criticize 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' dislike of Steven Sondheim and the ubiqutious Burburry Plaid. What the heck? Do the EGs' personal likes and dislikes make them bad people? Does that make their book unworthwhile? If anyone thinks so, then they're even more shallow than they claim the EGs to be. They have a book and they are allowed to express their opinions in it. So what? They can say anything they want to. I loved MTYNTBT...it was useful 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 find ourselves in, and are flummoxed about -- and they make it an enjoyable read. Especially useful was the section on "Letters for all Occasions," with samples of everything from a letter of resignation, to a letter of complaint to a company, to a letter "networking," in hopes of finding employment. I've used some of their examples as models myself. 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 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. And as for preferring the Fabulous Girls, as several readers have mentioned? Yes, thier guide to sleeping with the boss is in the best of taste...YUCK.
<< 1 >>
| 
