Nice Review Of My Book By Ed Rampell
Nice Review Of My Book By Ed Rampell
Last minute gift idea? Ed Rampell suggests buying my book, I SEE RUDE PEOPLE: One woman's battle to beat some manners into impolite society, and I second that! An excerpt from his review:
Arguing that "rude people are actually stealing from the rest of us by taking communal resources [such as time, space, peace and quiet] as their own," like a Howard Beale of etiquette, Alkon is mad as hell and isn't taking it anymore. The self-described "Revengerella" is striking back -- shooshing bigmouths publicly shrieking into their mobiles; correcting the misbehavior of under-parented children for whom the whole "world is their daycare center"; and, most famously, tracking down telemarketers' phone numbers and calling them at home during dinner. Ah, vengeance is sweet -- but not always.Alkon notes a puzzling phenomenon: Those who speak up against discourtesy are often themselves criticized as being rude scolds. And not only by the perps -- but by twerps who are actually, along with Alkon, being victimized by the miscreants' antisocial boorishness. The "Advice Goddess" considers this to be a form of "Stockholm syndrome," and calls those who pay a price for the public good "costly punishers."
We live in an era of unaccountability, wherein war criminals get off and are even awarded the Medal of Freedom; Wall Streeters who devastated our economy are given multi-billion dollar bailouts with money taken from the same taxpayers they've ripped off and thrown out of work; etc. I See Rude People is a badly needed tonic on the micro level, a step towards holding people accountable for their actions. Alkon strikes a blow for an all too uncommon common courtesy.
Arguing that "rude people are actually stealing from the rest of us by taking communal resources [such as time, space, peace and quiet] as their own,"
We live in an era of unaccountability, wherein war criminals get off and are even awarded the Medal of Freedom; Wall Streeters who devastated our economy are given multi-billion dollar bailouts with money taken from the same taxpayers they've ripped off and thrown out of work; etc.
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Love these analysis that are so true and yet these perpetrators never consider themselves in this way.
David M. at December 24, 2009 7:21 AM
Waiting to see if I get your book for Christmas.
Although I have been kind of naughty this year:)
Keeping my fingers crossed and again congratulations on your success.
David M. at December 24, 2009 7:24 AM
Considering it a theft of my time was something I had never thought of, but it is the truth. It wasn't just calling it like it is, but the part where you actually did something to make those people accountable that was such a pleasure to read. We all have those fantasies of actuall doing something about it but get caught up and don't. I've been more aware of my behavior and also of politely asking people to respect my time and space since I read the book.
Kristen at December 25, 2009 9:01 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/ag-column-archives/2009/12/nice-review-of.html#comment-1684587">comment from KristenThanks so much, Kristin -- means a lot to me that you got that. I hope I can persuade more people. Please spread the word.
Amy Alkon
at December 25, 2009 9:13 AM
Your points in the book were well made, honest, and very heartfelt. I gave 7 copies away for Xmas...just doing my part in the anti-rudeness jihad
TallDarkNGruesome at December 25, 2009 12:58 PM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/ag-column-archives/2009/12/nice-review-of.html#comment-1684619">comment from TallDarkNGruesomeThank you so, so much! Seven copies...that's so great!
Amy Alkon
at December 25, 2009 4:32 PM
First time commenter, long-time reader. I asked for your book for Christmas/Hannukah, and finished reading it today. Loved it! Will be giving it over the next year.
Anna at December 25, 2009 4:36 PM
Dear Amy,
OMG! I just finished your amazing book and would like to say that if I could just touch the hem of your robe, I would be happy. We have all experienced the kinds of assaults you describe: the incessant loud yammerings into cellphones, the misbehaviour of 'unparented' children in public places, telemarketers, etc., etc., etc. But you, you are an inspiration! I wish I had your courage. Perhaps the next time I'm on the bus and the girl at the back of the bus starts screaming at the top of her lungs into her phone about how sensitive she is "so fuck off,eh?" (as happened just the other day), I might summon up the nerve to shush her. Somehow I doubt it (I have a real fear of physical confrontation and she looked pretty volatile), but just knowing you're out there and taking these boors on makes me feel better. Thanks so much.
Cheers,
Colleen Putt
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Colleen Putt at January 11, 2010 6:50 AM
I enjoyed the book, despite having worked 8 years for a market research company that calls people to do surveys. :) Not the company from your book, but it's the same business. I'm not currently working for them.
Jerry Katz at January 28, 2010 9:33 PM
Just read your book during my flight to Canada's arctic. Loved it! I laughed myself silly (but quietly enough that fellow passengers would not be irritated), particularly when I came to the part where you suggested convincing the unfortunate wife of the dick on the cell phone that he was about to receive a lap dance. We seriously need to find a way to clone you.
Brett at February 3, 2010 7:21 PM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/ag-column-archives/2009/12/nice-review-of.html#comment-1693177">comment from BrettAwww, thanks so much!
Amy Alkon
at February 3, 2010 8:38 PM
Yer welcome!
Brett at February 9, 2010 7:39 AM
I simply had to share this gem found on a friend's Facebook update:
"I want one of these signs for my front lawn:
UN-DISCIPLINED AND/OR UNATTENDED CHILDREN WILL BE GIVEN ESPRESSOS AND A FREE PUPPY."
Priceless....
Brett at April 25, 2010 10:03 AM
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