The Pocket Butler: A Compact Guide to Modern Manners, Business Etiquette and Everyday Entertaining

I was invited to several dinner parties. Knowing very little about the hosts/hostesses (they were acquaintances), I didn't know if a hostess gift(or what type of gift) was appropriate. I came across this little book written by a butler with years of experience. I got a LOT more than I was expecting! This book is full of advice and tips from table setting, hostess gifts, how to brew tea, which wine to serve, even menu plans for social and business dinners/luncheons, and much more. It's a pocket book, but full of very useful tips for entertaining.

I totally enjoyed this little book. Of course, a lot is basics, but there were some things I didn't know like how to fold the napkin for your lap. How he suggests to do it makes total sense now to me. While the advice is tailored more to elegant dinners and high powered meetings, there is still a lot to take away as good suggestions for every day life, for instance, how to hand over a business card or how to make introductions. It is a lovely little gem.

I loved this tiny, pocket-sized book of instruction on etiquette. Not all of the content had me specifically in mind, but I nonetheless learned a lot. I have a small one-bedroom apartment and am a senior citizen. I'm not inclined to throw social gatherings in my home nor do I frequent formal dining tables, but while there are rules and guidelines for such events, I nonetheless learned that a woman in a skirt should enter a cab last so as not to have to struggle to slide in. I learned how to insert a note or a letter at the back of the envelope, not the front. While I have spoken at dinner while holding cutlery in my hand, I learned that such behavior is bad etiquette, easily remedied by putting my cutlery down before speaking. And I never liked people blowing their nose at the dinner table, and I was glad to learn that Mr. MacPherson states such behavior is bad etiquette. Take yourself to the bathroom to blow your nose, and don't talk with your mouth full. I also learned the trick to decant wine so as not to allow the sediment to enter a poured glass of wine. And I acquired a new list of different kinds of cheeses like Picodon, Emmental and Tomme, which I had never even heard of.

This book is a wonderful read for anyone thinking about entertaining and modern manners. It's filled with excellent tips, helpful diagrams, and wise advice. The organization allows you to easily find exact information that you are looking for. Congratulations to Charles for creating a way to give all of us who read it the advice of an experienced butler.

The book is really helpful. If you need to learn fast the most important manners, this is the read for you.

Excellent resource. Several useful ideas are presented in a simple format.

Every graduate should have this book and read it.

It's a replica in short of "The Butler Speaks". Nothing new to read.

Very good content

This book includes so many common sense etiquette items that seem to be forgotten in todays society. A must read!

Everryone should read this book before entertaining. Simple. Basic. Easy to understand.

It's a great read, with anecdotes and sensible suggestions from different scenario's for the modern household, host and guest

Love this tiny guide. It is thick booklet and nicely organised. It has all the essential information needed for entertaining, etiquette and manners just like it says. All of that and yet it is not a dry read. You can take it anywhere, last time I took it to a picnic as it is also a fun read. Bought one for myself, one for a gift. Overall love it!