Word: misses
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...ready for the most pertinent troika of sections: courtship, modern romance and living together. It seems peculiarly appropriate for Martin, a Wellesley alumnus, to explain the intricacies of modern-day relations between the genders to Harvard Dating seems easy enough, only three parts: food, entertainment and affection. Even Miss Manners saves the best for last. Harvard is relieved to know that phone calls after a one-night stand are not required but dismayed to learn that transportation back to Cambridge is also not mandatory...
...manual for etiquette, the book suffers most from prolixity. Miss Manners loves to see Miss Manners in print. If fact, one wonders if Martin leads a schizophrenic existence, writing herself letters and answering herself with advice. Her antiquated style, which conjures up visions of a Victorian spinster sitting in the drawing room banging away at a manual typewriter, is enjoyable, but less than perfect for getting quick information...
...clear. Etiquette has strict rules; it is not doing what comes naturally. If the whole point of politeness is to make others feel comfortable, everyone must have the same standards by which to measure, or actions that were meant in kindness are misinterpreted. That is the purpose of Miss Manners, and more specifically her book. Unfortunately, trudging through 786 pages in an attempt to assimilate the standards of the ages is likely to be, as the title indicates, excruciating, leaving the Gentle Reader a Hopeless Neurotic...
...Perhaps Miss Manners would have done better to limit her advice to the sage guidelines passed to her by her Uncle Henry, the kind of relative who pulls you aside at family gatherings for "talks. "Henry's words were sufficient: "I. Don't. 2. Be sure not to forget to. "The rest is up to individual interpretation...
...interest in breaking up the Ken-and-Barbie relationship she sees giggling on-the balcony 50 yards from her own. Bur wait...this is Santorini, island of passion. Lina's willing to try a sub-let arrangement on Michael's taut brown body, and lo and behold, Miss Wonderbread, Cathy, finds the whole thing kinky enough to give it a whirl. They all fall in love with the concept and move in together...