Emily Post On Entertaining

Ah, the 1987 classic "Emily Post On Entertaining," where the very act of hosting transforms into an Olympic event, complete with etiquette hurdles and social faux pas hurdles. Penned by the great Elizabeth L. Post, this peculiar tome seeks to catapult you into the rarefied air of polite society, where serving hors d’oeuvres is as serious a business as running a small country. Forget the digital age; this is your guide to navigating the treacherous waters of social gatherings while maintaining an air of grace that would make even the Queen raise an eyebrow in approval.

What, you might ask, is the secret sauce of a successful soirée according to Ms. Post? Well, packed within these pages are age-old secrets that promise to elevate your gatherings from the mundane to the magnificently formal. You’ll unearth invaluable tips such as the proper number of forks to use (spoiler: it’s more than you think), how to engage in scintillating conversation without ever mentioning the weather, and the fine art of deflecting inquiries about your life choices with a well-timed “How about those local sports teams?”

In the age of Instagram and TikTok, one might wonder if the wisdom of Emily Post still holds weight. However, fear not, for this volume is a veritable time capsule filled with the kind of social graces that have been lost in the whirlwind of modernity. Why not resurrect the forgotten art of handwritten invitations instead of firing off an impersonal text? With this book, you’ll learn that to entertain is not merely to host; it is to curate a delicate ballet of social interaction where every sip of tea and every canapé is carefully choreographed.

Condition: Used. This book has bravely survived the test of time and the ravages of various tea-stained fingers, dollops of whipped cream, and a mysterious smear of what might once have been a high-society pâté. Each dog-eared page whispers tales of dinner parties gone right, or perhaps wrong, but who’s counting when you have such delightful anecdotes to share? The cover might have seen better days, but like a well-loved sofa, it exudes character—perfect for any aspiring hostess who loves a touch of vintage charm.

Moreover, the pages are adorned with delightful illustrations that seem to suggest that even the most awkward of missteps can be redeemed with a polite smile and a hastily concocted excuse. Want to know how to handle an unexpected guest who turns out to be a little too fond of the cheese platter? Emily’s got you covered. You’ll learn that sometimes the best entertainment is watching your guests navigate the minefield of social norms you’ve strategically laid out.

But wait, there’s more! The book also features a riveting chapter on the etiquette of sending thank-you notes post-gathering, a ritual that has sadly fallen by the wayside in today’s fast-paced world. Imagine your guests’ surprise as they receive a handwritten note, elegantly crafted and void of emojis, thanking them for their delightful company. Surely a gesture that will elevate you to the status of modern-day Martha Stewart—minus the criminal record, of course.

In conclusion, "Emily Post On Entertaining" is a treasure trove of wisdom that brings a refreshing twist to our contemporary world, reminding us that gathering friends and family is more than just a reason to swipe right on a catering service. It’s an art form, a performance, and perhaps even a rite of passage, all orchestrated under the watchful eye of Ms. Post. So, dust off those china plates, put on your fanciest clothes, and prepare to dazzle, all while avoiding the dreadful blunder of serving a wine that is not, in fact, a vintage. Available now at Crappy Old Books—because every host deserves a little help from the past.

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