What nonfiction book are you currently reading?

[Gyakuto]

I loved his ‘I Claudius’ and ‘Claudius the God’ too. ‘The White Goddess’ is worth a read too.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

I loved his ‘I Claudius’ and ‘Claudius the God’ too. ‘The White Goddess’ is worth a read too.

I've got the white goddess on ebook, but I've never finished it, but what I did read made me go "Holy cow!". I, Claudius is a classic but for some reason I never finished 'Claudius the god'

 

[isshinryuronin]

‘Just Good Manners - A Quintessential guide to courtesy, charm and decorum’ by William Hanson.

At my age I don't worry about such things. I consider being a cantankerous old man one of the perks of putting up with life for 73 years. Exception: In TMA things I retain courtesy, respect and (a bit of) decorum. Charm? Have plenty, but I don't use it much - it's my secret weapon.

 

[Xue Sheng]

It is pretty much a history book, not all would find interesting, but I do because I have family ties to that area, and even spent a couple years living in that area as a kid, Add to that one of the guys mentioned in this book had a daughter, and that girl was one of my mothers friends when she was little

 

[Prince_Alarming]

‘Just Good Manners - A Quintessential guide to courtesy, charm and decorum’ by William Hanson.

Is it good? In the discernment process to be a priest, one's manners are looked at and mine could do with some work

 

[Gyakuto]

Is it good? In the discernment process to be a priest, one's manners are looked at and mine could do with some work

Possibly. Most of it revolves around British table manners (which I do think is important), how to behave at ‘high end’ social gatherings. I suspect if one is naturally boorish, this will shine through the veneer of learned etiquette. Just be respectful, smiley and let others speak until it’s your turn!

This is a post I made elsewhere about Kyoto resident’s behaviour compared to British manners and might help you understand what’s in the book-

This type of passive-aggressive behaviour is considered normal in English polite society. If you overstay your welcome after a dinner party, the host might say, “Do you have a busy day tomorrow?” which means, ‘please leave’. If, at the dining table, you don’t pass the port (to the left, of course) someone might say, “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” which means “pass the port, you rude fellow!” If you don’t understand the reference and don’t pass the port, they will continue, a little more directly, , “…he is a delightful man but he never passes the port.”! If ‘Camilla’, has the roasted parsnip serving dish resting in front of her and you want them, you might say, “Camilla, would you like some parsnips?” “Oh I have some, thank you,” she’d reply, before realising, “I’m sorry, would YOU like some parsnips?” to which you’d reply in a slightly condescending manner, “Would you be a dear?” I felt very at home in Kyoto…