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Press Releases

For Release: Nov. 2, 2003
Contact: Elizabeth Upham Howell
802/860-1814
elizabeth@emilypost.com
See the end of this document
for tour dates & cities.

Essential Manners for Men: What to Do, When to Do It and Why
by Peter Post
Unique Voice Speaks Directly To Men About Behavior & Etiquette

BURLINGTON, VT—Ask Peter Post why he felt it necessary to write a book of manners exclusively for men and he’ll give a simple answer: “They need it.” What makes his book Essential Manners for Men: What to do, When to do it, and WHY— (Harper Resource; November 2003; $19.95)—different from the scant few on the seemingly necessary topic? “I give men the ‘why,’” says Post. Without it, he claims, men won’t listen. “Tell a man to pick up after himself around the house because it’s the considerate thing to do—yeah right!” says Post. “But explain to him how doing it will improve his relationship with his girlfriend or spouse—and WHAMMO—you’ve got his attention.”

And so begins a succinct, witty and in some spots self-deprecating discourse on manners for men. Based on his travels around the country for his work with the Emily Post Institute (EPI) and EPI surveys with thousands of men and women, Essential Manners for Men provides quick, sensible and strategic advice.

The book is organized into three parts and 25 chapters—daily life, social life and on the job. Post presents problematic situations that any man is likely to encounter in day-to-day life, and resolves them in an entertaining, engaging and conversational way. Post admits that the book covers only about ten percent of all etiquette guidelines. “But it’s the ten percent of manners that apply to 90 percent of situations. It’s the cream of the crop.”

Daily Life, Annoying Habits
In the daily life section, Post looks at the most important behaviors to avoid and those to emulate at the fitness center, in the car, on the golf course, at home, out with friends, on the telephone, at a child’s ball game and the many other places men go.

From personal hygiene and spitting, to road rage and control of the TV remote—Post gives men a wake-up call about the effects of their behavior, and provides some simple etiquette guidelines to smooth the way.

When Post asked survey respondents for men’s most annoying habits, he got an earful. “Not opening doors, not cleaning up after dinner, doing kid chores only when asked, belching at the dinner table, spitting on the sidewalk—it may seem like trivial stuff to many men, but it all matters. When you don’t use manners, it’s not just a sign that you’re clueless; it shows a lack of consideration. That’s what really bothers women about men who don’t have manners.” To solve this, Post offers specific and painless tips for pitching in around the house, managing to keep the toilet seat down and generally sharing a living space in peace—whether it be with a roommate, spouse or significant other.

Other advice offered in the daily life section includes: three rules of effective communication, driver’s ed-iquette, how to make introductions, mastering a good handshake, remembering names, tipping, gym etiquette, sports etiquette—as a participant and a spectator, and a man’s role as a parent.

Social Life, From Dinner Parties to Wedding Proposals
In the social life section, Post shows men how to act appropriately in social situations and why it matters. He posits the variety of social offences respondents cited in the Post surveys. From poor table manners and sloppy dressing to “There is no way I’m wearing a tux!” and “Do I have to get a gift?”—there is plenty of room for improvement. Survey respondents also applauded men who are mannerly, and emphasized the positive (and sometimes aphrodisiacal) effects of such behavior. Post is careful to tell tales of his own foibles, including a poorly executed wedding proposal—which has led to a very happy marriage.

Advice offered in the social life section includes: everything you need to know to pull off a fabulous date—from dinner recipes to wine suggestions; bar etiquette; how to split a bill; the top three table manners questions; getting your home ready for company; entertaining 101; surviving a formal dinner; five keys to being a good houseguest and houseguest “danger zones;” flirting; and weddings: surviving your own and attending others’.

On the Job
In the “On the Job” section of the book Post looks at the flash points in everyday business life that can derail men, and what men can do to stand out as rising stars. According to Post, the work world presents a completely different set of etiquette problems, which can impact the morale and productivity of a man’s work colleagues, in addition to the trajectory of his career. The Post surveys say that the two most annoying behaviors that men display on the job are putting down co-workers and acting superior.

Advice in this section includes: the superior attitude test: how to know if you’ve got it and what to do to get rid of it; the five cardinal rules of job interviewing; building better business relationships and why it matters; how to get along with colleagues you can’t stand; improving your written, verbal and technological communications; why men need stationery; surviving in a cubicle jungle; how to dress the part; what business casual really means; and how to accomplish something at business social events.

The book concludes with Post’s five-step process for men to resolve any situation where there is no etiquette “rule.” To display good manners, Post says, one must have the confidence to make the right decision. “My goal is to get men to stop cringing at the word ‘etiquette’—and to help men see how etiquette applies to every aspect of their lives.” says Post. “Etiquette is about treating people with consideration, respect and honesty—and manners are the tools that will let you accomplish this with ease, simplicity and confidence.”

* * *

About the Author:
Peter Post is the great grandson of Emily Post and a man, which uniquely qualifies him to write a book of manners for men. An avid, golfer, traveler, reader and connoisseur of fine Italian dining, Post is a director of the Emily Post Institute—the foundation created in 1946 to further the work of his great grandmother, who died in 1960. Peter Post is the coauthor of The Etiquette Advantage in Business. He conducts business etiquette seminars for companies across the country and manages all the day-to-day technical operations of the Institute. He does hundreds of media interviews annually on topics ranging from nose blowing etiquette to the business ethics of corporate America’s CEOs. Prior to joining the Institute, Post ran a successful advertising agency in Burlington, Vermont for nearly 20 years. Raised in Rye, New York, Post is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Pratt Institute. He lives in Charlotte, Vermont, with his wife Tricia. They have two grown daughters.

ESSENTIAL MANNERS FOR MEN:
What to do, When to do it and WHY
by Peter Post
HarperResource, An imprint of HarperCollins
Publication: November, 2003
ISBN: 0-06-053980-1; $19.95 ($29.95 Canada); 208 pages
www.emilypost.com
www.harpercollins.com
Available wherever books are sold.

2003 Tour Dates

• Nov. 4-8 New York City
• Nov. 6 CBS The Early Show
• Nov. 8 Short Hills, NJ
• Nov. 9-12 San Francisco
• Nov. 13-15 Chicago
• Nov. 19-20 Atlanta
• Nov. 21 & 24 Dallas
• Nov. 22 Austin
• Nov. 23 Houston
• Dec. 2 & 3 Washington, DC
• Dec. 4 & 5 Boston

For more information or to schedule an interview, call Elizabeth Howell at 802/860-1814, email at Elizabeth@emilypost.com or visit www.emilypost.com.