In the twenty-first century, it may seem that etiquette is a thing of the past. But etiquette lessons are actually still quite popular. In fact, there are still schools of protocol for etiquette teachers in many locations, including Atlanta, Charleston, and Washington, DC. They graduate instructors certified to teach everything from children’s to corporate etiquette, and from the proper way to serve tea to how to become an intercultural protocol officer.
Sales of modern etiquette books are also thriving, and the manuals range from general tomes that cover all aspects of daily life to very specific books addressing everything from pickleball etiquette to how to start a punk rock band. Manners columns flourish in newspapers and abound on the internet.
My current novel, Manners or Mayhem (formerly titled The Chess Player), features an etiquette teacher as the protagonist. It was inspired by my love of collecting both antique and current etiquette books, which give a fascinating glimpse into daily life in past and present society.
