Why manners matter

This is not a book about etiquette. It is a book about qualities that these days are seen as rather old-fashioned, unnecessary or quaint, about a way of behaving that no one really has time for anymore, but which, the author argues, is vital for the recovery and survival of our world. Manners reflect the values of the society from which they spring and influence the direction that society takes. Manners matter, not because manners are an absolute good in themselves, but because they beneficially shape how we interact with each other, how we make things work, how we nurture our individual humanity and our wider communities. If civilization matters, then so do manners. Manners matter because they lead to happier, kinder and more effective societies. This delightful and incisive short book takes the themes of Lynne Truss's 'Talk to the Hand' one step further and will entertain, provoke and satisfy anyone who has ever been frustrated by the rudeness of others.