Business and Civic Etiquette. History and Modernity. A Guide for Polite People

Manners, politeness, courtesy, and the ability to behave in society have been important at all times, and although the rules may have changed over time, their significance has remained constant. The aim of this book is to introduce the reader to the basics of everyday, including festive, and business etiquette: the culture of speech and behavior, the art of compliments and the skill of discussion, the rules of dining and serving, the ethics of professional relationships, and the peculiarities of behavior in negotiations with representatives of different countries. In addition to the norms of modern etiquette, the book pays significant attention to ancient norms of behavior in society, providing extensive excerpts from books of the XVIII and XIX centuries on the relevant topics, giving a good idea of the history of the issue. Some of the rules described there may provoke a smile, but many are still relevant today.