"We all are born charming, fresh, and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society," according to American etiquette maven Miss Manners. And this is just the book to remind us what civilization looks like!

Etiquette, the complex network of rules that govern good behaviour and our social interactions is always evolving and changing as society changes. Without etiquette, members of society would show far too much impatience and disrespect for one another, which would lead to insults, dishonesty, cheating, road rage, fist fights and a rash of other unfortunate incidents. Etiquette help us show respect and consideration to others and makes others glad that we are with them. Without proper etiquette, the customs of polite society would soon disappear and we would act more like animals and less like people. Aggressiveness and an “every man for himself” and God for us all attitude would take the lead.

In preparing a book of etiquette for ladies, I would lay down as the first rule, "Do unto others as you would others should do to you." You can never be rude if you bear the rule always in mind, for what lady likes to be treated rudely? True Christian politeness will always be the result of an unselfish regard for the feelings of others, and though you may err in the ceremonious points of etiquette, you will never be impolite. Politeness, founded upon such a rule, becomes the expression, in graceful manner, of social virtues. The spirit of politeness consists in a certain attention to forms and ceremonies, which are meant both to please others and ourselves, and to make others pleased with us; a still clearer definition may be given by saying that politeness is goodness of heart put into daily practice; there can be no _true_ politeness without kindness, purity, singleness of heart, and sensibility.