The Best Etiquette Books for Any Situation

Times have changed, but the principles of good manners remain constant—at least according to the Post family. And they should know. After all, Anna, Lizzie, and Daniel Post Senning are the great-great grandchildren of the legendary Emily Post, the First Lady of Etiquette. 

In this completely updated new edition of her classic book, they tackle the etiquette conundrums that face us in the 21st century, from texting and social media to destination weddings and workplace taboos, showing that times may change, but good manners are timeless.

There are few times when words fail us more resoundingly than when we are confronted with someone else’s grief. Our own clumsy gestures often feel massively insufficient to the task at hand, and we fear that we may inadvertently make the matter worse, rather than better. 

Backed by extensive research and detailed anecdotes, The Art of Condolence walks us through what we should write, say, and do in one of life’s most difficult situations, from sample letters of condolence to the value of grief support groups, and everything in between.

A lot has changed since the earliest etiquette guides were published more than a century ago, and these days being able to know one type of fork from another is probably not something most of us will ever have to deal with. 

However, etiquette is just as important in the modern world as ever, even if it addresses different topics, as etiquette consultant Nancy R. Mitchel demonstrates in this “excellent general primer” (The New York Times) covering everything from weddings to food trucks and far beyond.

What is etiquette, really? While many people may think of it as a bunch of stuffy traditions with no real meaning behind them, etiquette is ultimately a way to help people get along. And getting along isn’t always easy, so sometimes it’s nice to have some guidelines to help us remember what’s what. 

Enter this “sensible and extremely amusing” (Library Journal) book from the former cohost of The Great British Bake Off. Focusing on civility and decency rather than convention, Toksvig eschews “some prissy, preachy list of rules” and instead “backs up her suggestions on etiquette with occasionally obscure and often hilarious facts” (Bust).

There is perhaps no arena where etiquette is more complex – or more important – than in our careers. Especially in a global marketplace, understanding how to navigate business relationships on many different levels can spell the difference between success and failure. That’s where this handy guidebook by the founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach comes into play. 

From writing effective thank-you notes and sending perfect business gifts to networking effectively and even remembering peoples’ names, this book is filled with practical advice that you can put to use in almost any business environment.

Tucked away in Charleston, the eponymous academy offers sold-out classes teaching students how to do everything from plan cocktail parties to entertain houseguests. The home is, after all, the center of our lives, and with the help of Deans Pollak and Manigault, students of the academy have learned how to get more from their homes than ever before. 

However, not everyone can afford to head out to Charleston for a lesson in Southern hospitality, even if their classes didn’t sell out so quickly, so Pollak and Manigault have brought the academy to readers through this charming book, filled with illustrations by Tania Lee.

“This book is the perfect new-parent gift,” raves Heather Chauvin, author of Dying to be a Good Mother. When you have a child, you suddenly find yourself in a precarious new position: role model. But how do you model good manners and proper behaviors for your kids while also navigating an entire new world of problems and dilemmas, from diaper disasters to public meltdowns? 

That’s where this indispensable guide, written by and for busy parents, comes into play, filled with tips, lists, charts, and more to help parents of kids ages 0 to 5 navigate life’s hurdles with grace.

Let’s face it – sometimes, we all drop the ball. We’re not as thoughtful, not as timely, not as reliable as we want to be. We make mistakes, we show up late, or we forget to reply to that important email, text, or phone call. So, what do you do in that situation? While we may be tempted to just ignore it, the author of The Sick Day Handbook offers us another alternative: fake it! With excuses and explanations for every situation, from showing up late to forgetting a coworker’s name to dressing incorrectly for a big event, you’ll never have to worry about making a faux pas again, so long as you come armed with some of these big excuses!

Who says that etiquette belongs to the ‘50s housewives and their perfectly manicured lawns? Jillian Venters, the founder of Gothic-Charm-School.com, offers an indispensable guide to being a “Goth with good manners,” helping Goths of all ages navigate all of life’s most challenging situations, from those specific to the Goth lifestyle to those faced by all of us. 

Whether you’re trying to explain to your mom that it’s not “just a phase” or dealing with dinner parties, job interviews, or any of the other social situations that perplex us all, Gothic Charm School will help you do it – while still being yourself.

“Modern Manners is O’Rourke doing what he has always done: making hilarious, insightful, often vicious fun of the world and all its inhabitants,” raves People magazine. 

In this “Etiquette Book for Rude People,” the man that Wall Street Journal dubbed “the funniest writer in America” sets his sites on the world of etiquette and guides us through the “art of incivility,” providing a “rulebook for living in a world without rules.” While the anti-etiquette outlined within may not be ideal for every situation, it’s a fine way to pass the time, distinguish yourself from the crowd, or at least have a lot of fun trying.