"Talk to the hand, ’cause the face ain’t listening," the saying goes.
When did the world stop wanting to hear? When did society become so thoughtless? It’s a topic that has been simmering for years, and Lynne Truss says it’s now reached the boiling point. Taking on the boorish behavior that for some has become a point of pride, Talk to the Hand is a rallying cry for courtesy. Like Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Talk to the Hand is not a stuffy guidebook, and is sure to inspire spirited conversation.
Why hasn’t your nephew ever thanked you for your carefully selected gift? What makes your contractor think it’s fine to snub you in the midst of a major renovation? Why do crowds spawn selfishness? What accounts for the appalling treatment you receive in stores (if you’re lucky enough to get a clerk’s attention at all)? Most important, what will it take to roll back a culture that applauds those who are disrespectful? In a recent U.S. survey, 79 percent of adults said that lack of courtesy was a serious problem. For anyone who’s fed up with the brutality inflicted by modern manners (or lack thereof), Talk to the Hand is a colorful call to arms—from the wittiest defender of the civilized world.
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"I read this book when I was in Florida on vacation this summer. The owner of the place where we stayed had this on their shelf, and I just had to try it out. I'm sooooooooooo glad I decided to read it. It'll make you laugh until you cry, and you will be glad you read it. :)"
— Lindsay (5 out of 5 stars)
" This is funny and perceptive, but relies more on rant/less on cleverness than "Eats, Shoots & Leaves". There are reassuring moments where you think "at least I'm not the only one that is driven mad by X" but there are a few more where you think "could that really irritate someone so much"? "
— Sarah, 2/18/2014" Funny and informative. Her British humor may confuse some people. "
— Celeste, 2/13/2014" I thought this was going to be a book on modern manners. Turned out to be an older lady's rant about how we kids don't respect our elders/social betters anymore. Also, "eff off"? Really? "
— Ashley, 2/10/2014" A long, mildly amuzing and very British rant against bad manners. Reads more like a magazine essay, but is a quick and fun read if you like rants. "
— Eric, 2/3/2014" An excellent read,I really enjoyed Truss' style and wit! Someone finally has the guts to stand up for good manners, it was high time! ;) "
— Sarah, 2/2/2014" Very funny, very true. Loved it. "
— S.M., 1/30/2014" Boring. You'd think a book like this was going to be snappy and full of wit, but you'd be wrong. It was more of a lecture by an annoying, above-it-all teacher. Still, she made some good points. People are a-holes these days. "
— Laura, 1/30/2014" An interesting and amusing look at manners, social interactions, and why no one pays attention to, or expects good behavior anymore. Lynne Truss is a right-thinking woman! "
— Valerie, 1/14/2014" WHAT I LEARNED: I feel so old for my outrage at the lack of respect in the world! And though Lynne Truss can be humourous, more often then not, she just comes across as trying too hard. "
— Rebekah, 1/5/2014" A lot of what she said in this book is true and mostly why I don't like people in general, but I liked 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' much better. "
— Jess, 12/30/2013" Rudeness in our world. The subtitle says it all. Reading this book makes you feel it is somehow a nicer world. "
— Deb, 12/22/2013" I don't think I've ever agreed with a book more than I've agreed with this one. "
— Melanie, 12/4/2013" Had so good points but read like a rant "
— Linda, 11/22/2013" I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I did Truss's other volume, Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Quite honestly, I appreciated it far less than most other books, even. I gave it two stars instead of one owing to having read her other book and knowing what she is, in fact, capable of producing. "
— Whitney, 11/17/2013" not as initially entertaining as Eats, shoots and leaves. I keep putting it down and coming back to it weeks later. Good for when you only have a few minutes to read a page or two, but not super gripping. "
— Annette, 8/15/2013" I agreed with everything in this book, but it could have been funnier and it was definitely a downer. "
— Jillian, 3/31/2013" I loved her first book, but this one struck me as whiny and spastic. Too bad, cause I really was starting to develop a girl-crush for her. "
— Mish, 3/30/2013" love love love. my dad stole this from me. "
— Malaga, 3/2/2013" I thought this book made some great points. That said, there was a lot of talking between those points that wasn't as useful, interesting, or informative. I would recommend it though for the overall message of the book. "
— Brendan, 2/12/2013" wonderful fun read on rudeness "
— Connie, 12/17/2012" Not much more than a series of extended essays really, but enjoyable enough, some funny observations, and the basic argument can't really be disputed. "
— Derek, 11/20/2012" As the rating says, it was OK. "
— Charlotte, 11/18/2012" This is basically a rant about the rudeness of the inhabitants of earth at this point in time. I thought a lot of it was rather true and funny. "
— Kristen, 11/4/2012" Comments about how rude the world has gotten and why it is better to stay home. "
— Patty, 8/26/2012" UGH! I didn't finish this book. It's just her rambling on about people being rude. Duh. I know. "
— Rachel, 4/19/2012" A critique of our world's devolution into incivility, rudeness and crass behavior. If you're in a complaining mood, or would like to be in one, this one will start you off. "
— Deborah, 2/5/2012" More Lynne Truss hilarity! "
— rivka, 6/30/2011" Lynne Truss is the woman I want to be when I grow up. Maybe she won't mind if I stalk her. "
— Amy, 5/23/2011" A bit strenuous at some points, but definitely the best book on British English punctuation.<br/>Recommended to everyone with a weakness for language. "
— Fons, 5/14/2011" liked it but then promptly forgot half the things i learned from it. which isn't a criticism of the book, just an admission of personal failure. "
— Netts, 5/14/2011" A friend gave me this book for my birthday once. It's a funny little guide to punctuation, and a perfect pick for sticklers. "
— Stephanie, 5/9/2011" Loved it. I've read it twice and plan to do so again. It's so funny that you forget that you are learning the proper way to use the English language! "
— Toni, 5/5/2011" Can a book about punctuation be an amusing read? Why, yes it can!<br/>I wish this were required reading for every high school freshman. "
— Connie, 5/4/2011" Fun book to read! Interesting to see some of the cultural differences wrapped around punctuation. "
— Tammy, 5/3/2011" Another book on writing better. It was somewhat amusing at times. "
— Mike, 5/2/2011" The writer's tone is quite humorous. : > I am still reading it. "
— Artemis, 5/2/2011" so fun in a nerdy way! "
— Erin, 4/27/2011" This book, and the several editions and shoot-offs meant for students may be a great way to make the mechanics of writing fun. These texts also showcase funny grammatical, punctuation, and spelling mistakes which can highlight the importance of these skills for students. "
— Lillian, 4/25/2011Lynne Truss is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Eats, Shoots & Leaves, which sold nearly one million copies and won Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. A novelist and journalist, she is also the author of numerous radio comedy dramas.