The School of Life Guide to Modern Manners The School of Life Press (2020)

Modern life presents countless minor but acute social dilemmas: how to move on from an unusually boring conversation without causing offence, introduce people when you have forgotten one of their names, behave when you meet an ex while out with a new partner, or respond after spilling red wine on a hosts sofa. Although such situations may seem insignificant, they raise important questions about pursuing our own happiness while respecting the sensitivities and wishes of others, conveying goodwill sincerely, and being kind without becoming submissive or sentimental. This guide from The School of Life places good manners back at the centre of everyday life. Twenty case studies explore common social dilemmas and possible responses, offering a new philosophy of graceful conduct and showing how considerate manners contribute to the creation of a kinder world.