Toasts and Tributes helps men master these important skills with examples of more than 40 different toasts and 40 different notes. Includes examples of what to say and, perhaps more important, examples of what not to say. Perhaps he’s been asked to say a few words at his college roommate’s engagement party. Maybe he’s at a family cookout, toasting his sister’s recent law school graduation. Have his parents reached a milestone anniversary that deserves a son’s perspective? Is his professional mentor retiring after decades as a leader in his field? Throughout his adult life, a man encounters those occasions that depend on his ability to distill the emotions of the moment into a toast, a letter, or perhaps just a few words of gratitude. John Bridges and Bryan Curtis call on their trademark wit to illustrate the skill of meaningful expression and show how to avoid those clichés, awkward jokes, and rambling speeches that threaten to derail the mood of any occasion. Learn how to keep your “just a few words” as succinct as possible, which rare occasions are suitable for an e-mail, and the proper way to give a toast everyone will remember.

Everything you need to know for any occasion - dinner parties to tailgate potlucks. Here’s a thought. Entertaining isn’t just something that happens when the ladies decide to break out the good china. Any gentleman who enjoys the company of friends, a delicious meal, or a great drink should know how to host a gathering. So shove those frozen burritos out of the way and make some room in the freezer for your stainless steel ice bucket. It’s time to entertain. John Bridges and Bryan Curtis have mapped out everything you need to know for any occasion, from dinner parties to tailgate potlucks. Whether you’re hosting clients for a business lunch at an upscale restaurant or corralling your rowdy friends for a weekend cookout, these are the fundamentals you’ll need to ensure you and your guests have a memorable time. The details have been wrangled out already—all that’s left is for you to sit back and enjoy the company of your favorite people.

If you have ever felt unsure or uncomfortable when facing a social dilemma, John Bridges answers these questions and more in his classic handbook for men. The rules were simpler in bygone days, but technological changes have caused seismic shifts to the cultural landscape of 21st century. Do the rules of common courtesy still apply? Social media and smart phones have shaped communication in unprecedented ways, and increased connection has created a global melting pot. Social norms that were once understood now feel uncertain. How should a sophisticated man conduct himself in the diverse environments he may encounter? How to Be a Gentleman is an indispensable guide for men of all ages who aspire to become gentlemen, including tips and guidelines such as: How to respond to those with whom you disagree When and where it is appropriate to use your cellphone How to dress for various formal events Rules for conducting yourself at the gym How to engage respectfully with different cultural and religious contexts

The day she was born, you dreamed of all that lay ahead. You envisioned a gracious young girl—the sort of daughter other parents admire—one who knows how to make charming conversation and when to hold her tongue. Polite and considerate, your daughter would know exactly how to behave, whether she was at the ballet with her grandmother or in the stands at a Friday night football game. But that tiny pink bundle wasn’t born knowing the finer points of being a lady. She needs your guidance . . . because honestly, she’ll never know how much perfume is too much or how much gratitude is too little if you don’t explain. Explore these timeless fundamentals of grace, thoughtfulness, and appropriate behavior, and pass along the lessons to your young lady in-the-making.

Have you ever been in a situation in which you were caught off guard, left speechless, or, worse yet, put your foot in your mouth? So much depends on being a lady. A true one knows that the question, “How are you today?” isn’t an invitation for her to unload the day’s ordeals. She knows that her unsolicited opinion of a friend’s fuzzy lime green sweater dress isn’t necessary, and she certainly knows better than to nag or spout gender clichés when the man in her life refuses to stop and ask for directions. As a Lady Would Say is every woman’s guide to being delicate in an indelicate world of awkward situations, difficult people, and thorny social dynamics. Sheryl Shade’s clever cataloging of real-world scenarios is a humorous look at how a lady should respond in any number of life’s irksome situations, along with a guide to which words should never leave her mouth. Get ready to question your own feminine sensibilities, and examine the way you interact with the world around you.

Simple reminders and new ideas for any man who is eager to navigate the obstacle course of his own words. On any given day, a man is faced with situations that demand a response. He runs into a friend who was recently fired . . . His date can’t seem to pry herself away from a texting conversation during dinner . . . Someone at his gym routinely monopolizes the equipment . . . He finds himself in a nearly unintelligible conversation with a client who has a thick foreign accent. In each of these scenarios, there are distinct responses that can determine the outcome—for better or worse. Knowing what to say is essential, because regardless of how many doors he opens or how often he remembers to bring a bottle of wine for the hostess, a gentleman’s reputation is often established on his ability to communicate. In this updated version of As a Gentleman Would Say, John Bridges and Bryan Curtis offer simple reminders and new ideas for any man who is eager to navigate the obstacle course of his own words.

Somewhere amid the tangle of video game controllers and muddy sneakers, there’s a nice boy. And somewhere within that nice boy is a gentleman just waiting to emerge. For at least eighteen years, you’ll have the pleasure of coaxing him out, little by little. You’ll make sure he knows how to act at a formal dinner, and you’ll explain to him that answering a telephone should never involve the words “yeah” or “hang on.” And eventually, you’ll be confident that he can react maturely when his team loses in overtime or when he meets a girl he likes. He’ll know which fork to use, how to dress on an airplane, and when it’s appropriate to speak up for himself and others. Let Kay West guide you through his transformation from boy to gentleman, and watch his young life flourish.