Sam Martin is the best-selling author of How to Mow the Lawn and How to Keep House. He has traveled widely and worked as a tree planter in Canada and as a senior editor at This Old House magazine. Sam is a modern gentleman. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Denise, and two sons, Ford and Wren.
CONTENTS Introduction: Manners matterWhy
manners?Self-confidenceSelf-respectAttitude and personal presencePutting
the gentle back into the manTop ten qualities to nurture:Competence,
Patience, Resolve, Respect, Self-assurance, Spirit, Diplomacy, Tact Chapter
one: Stepping OutThe first impression - establishing your presence and
introducing yourself to othersThe handshakeThe greetingThe hello
kissWalking - how to carry yourself so that you make an impressionMeeting
peopleSmall talk and conversation skillsIntroducing people to othersDiction
and eloquenceSpeak up - speaking clearly in all situationsCultivating
vocabulary without swallowing a dictionaryPublic speakingLessons in
listeningCommanding respect through the words you useHow to speak to the
authorities: what to say, what not to sayPhone, email and online etiquette
Cell phones Call waiting Netiquette Beepers Chapter two: Hygiene, Grooming,
and DressPersonal hygiene - You might not need a range of skincare products
but you do need to shower every dayHow to shave: what to do if you cut
yourselfHow to iron: shirt, trousersYour image - the importance of
developing your own styleDressing for respectThe perfect wardrobe for
winter, spring, summer, fallEssential stylish items that will last a
lifetimeFashion do's and don'ts from head to toe Chapter three: Eating and
DrinkingTable manners Elbows on or off the table How to use a napkin Eating
and talking, do they mix? Must you wait until everyone is serves or let
your food get cold?Being on time Out on the town: How to order in a
restaurant Sending food back Which fork? Glassware - stem or bulb, where to
hold? Food masterclass: Sushi, soup, spaghettiSelecting wine Tasting wine
How to send it back if it is vinegaryHow to give a toast What to do if
you've drunk too muchSmoking cigarettes - when it's cool, when it
isn'tSplitting the bill, stress free Being the perfect host: So you're
throwing a party - what now? Supplies to keep around - food, drink,
glassware, dishes, cookwareCleanliness is Manliness: Home appearance -
interior, hiring a maid serviceHow to set the table for a dinner party -
styling tipsYour signature cocktailHow to open a bottle of
wine/champagneHow to tie a bowtieSending invitationsWhat to do when you
receive a gift you don't likeWriting thank you notes Being the perfect
guest: How to receive an invitation What to take - great gift ideas for all
occasions and people of all ages Invited to dinner - how to be the perfect
dinner guest Being a great party guestSaying thank you: with cards, email,
phone calls Chapter four: The Fairer SexHow to woo with flairHow to ask a
woman out on a dateHow to say noHow to hear noHow to pay a complimentDoor
etiquette (not only for the woman you are dating)Romantic dinners for
twoWhen to call someone you likeWhen to kiss her, when not to kiss herBirth
control - a gentleman's responsibilityHow to behave (or not) in bedThe
morning afterRemembering datesPresents - when to give them and what to
giveHome attire - living alone, with a womanGetting engaged - asking her
father, getting a ringMeeting your girlfriend's/wife's parentsPregnancyHow
to behave when your wife tells you she's pregnantHow to behave when your
girlfriend tells you she's pregnant Chapter five: Men at WorkThe job
interviewWhat to wear to the officeElevator etiquetteHow to be successful
at a business meetingThe holiday party - what to wear, who to talk to, what
to sayDating at the office - to do it or not to do itEmail
etiquetteBusiness phone etiquetteWork speak and speaking at workGiving the
perfect presentationThe business lunch Chapter six: Gentleman at LargeThe
bachelor party Best Man etiquette Good sportsmanship How to watch sports
well with others How to know when enough beer is enoughHow to drive in
traffic to avoid getting road rageWhat to wear on an airplaneHow much
luggage to bringHow to act in a foreign countryWhat to do on crowded subway
carsTechnology - the etiquette of never switching off from the office, the
Playstation, etc.The new etiquette Gym etiquette and more Conclusion
