The New Etiquette: Real Manners for Real People in Real Situations: An A-To-Z Guide

Readers of this guide to real manners for real people in real situations may wonder if Stewart herself is for real as she delineates, in alphabetical format, the gracious way to belch and blow your nose, gossip, eavesdrop, inform a male his fly is open, conduct an office love affair and deal with food stuck in one's teeth. Still, the redoubtable author of White Gloves and Party Manners offers her rigid recommendations in earnest, and although she includes sections on single parenting and live-in lovers, much of her advice is outmoded. Her tips for change-of-address announcements and skiing etiquette may be innocuous, but other suggestions are gratuitous, didactic, even offensivewomen (but not men) are discouraged from displaying family photographs at the office because ""the boss may wonder how dedicated you are to work if you spend much of your time gazing at a photo of your child.'' Author tour. (April 20)