Reviews for The Young Woman's Guide

The average rating for The Young Woman's Guide based on 2 reviews is 2.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-02-05 00:00:00 Paul Hinenburg This book was published back in 2004, so despite some out of date references, e.g. smoking and no-smoking sections existing in restaurants, the basics of etiquette are pretty much covered. I found it fairly enjoyable but I have to say that I did not agree with all the author had to offer, e.g. there is a section on being a good guest and "how to get invited back"; the story unfolds about some bad guests feeding their hostess' dog cannabis, okay, that teaches us how not to behave, but it's the next line that bugs me: "..but she was such a good hostess so tried to laugh it off and not make the offenders feel guilty" - HUH??!!? If that was me, the guests would now be ex-friends and the dog would leave a nasty surprise or two in their letter box!! Another downside to this book was that it felt like the author was writing for fairly well off girls who could afford to hire a private room and DJ for a party - nope, not me, think I'll stick to my homemade sauasage rolls and a mix tape (CD even)!

Review # 2 was written on 2010-03-13 00:00:00 Mark Bandy The book started to be very promising. Quite a handful of helpful, practical tips on how to behave appropriately in every single social situation under the sun and how to make the best of it. From what to say when a friend is wearing an unflattering outfit to how to defuse a situation when your boss is hitting on you. It has a lot of British slang in it which the made reading it all the more amusing to me. Sure, it can get a little ABC but that's what I like. I wanted a basis of etiquette adapted to the modern girl. However, something I greatly disliked popped up at the end of the book where the author, instead of teaching us how to behave properly and take the higher road, promotes a series of petty and ridiculous behaviors. For example, selling information to the tabloids if a vain celebrity got on your nerves. Really? That's ladylike? It's almost as if the author was sick and tired of writing how to be prim and proper and took the lesser road to add 'humor' to it. I'm guessing.