Description

Book Synopsis

Do gentlemen wear shorts? What are the rules regarding interior decor in a high-security prison? Is it ever acceptable to send Valentine''s cards to one''s pets?

The twenty-first century is an age of innumerable social conundrums. Around every corner lies a potential faux pas waiting to happen. But if you''ve ever struggled for the right response to an unwelcome gift or floundered for conversation at the dinner party from hell, fear not: help is at hand.

In Rules for Modern Life, Sir David Tang, resident agony uncle at the Financial Times, delivers a satirical masterclass in navigating the social niceties of modern life. Whether you''re unsure of the etiquette of doggy bags or wondering whether a massage room in your second home would be de trop, Sir David has the answer to all your social anxieties - and much more besides.



Trade Review
Brilliant... Hugely entertaining * The Times *
Useful and, more importantly, vastly entertaining * GQ *
Incisive, outrageous and preposterously entertaining. Reading these essays in style, manners, gossip, grace and good sense is like sharing a private railway carriage with a mad but marvellous maharajah. I never wanted the journey to end
Funny, clever and disgraceful. In terms of a useful guide to modern living, it knocks the New Testament into a cocked hat
Excellent advice that we didn't know we needed
Sir David Tang is the second funniest David in the world
A trenchant and entertaining guide to negotiating the pitfalls of contemporary living * Daily Mail *
I absolutely love Rules for Modern Life! David's amazing sense of humour and wit keep one glued to this 'pop culture bible' that everyone MUST read. It is not only educational but enlightening as well. Bravo David!
David Tang always brings something extra to life, which is what we all want
Uncompromising and full of style. You will laugh out loud
Sir David Tang is effortless in his sense of style and being. And that's how it should be
I feel a curious joy of life when I am around David Tang. He knows best
A degree course in 21st-century decorum. It will make an aristocrat out of an arriviste
Sharply funny and surprisingly informative. I would rather read style notes from the pen of Tang than any other source on the planet
Eloquent and humorous
David is a life-changer
Filled with valuable advice. Amusingly written and a real pleasure to read
David Tang is the thinking woman's Fu Manchu. If you are allergic to the combination of wit, brains and mischief you won't enjoy this book
A marvellous compendium of good manners and good sense in society, reinforced with insight and sly humour
Anyone who wants to move up the social ladder, or avoid sliding down, must read Rules for Modern Life. It is the essential primer for 21st century social success
Hilarious and edifying. Absolutely essential reading about the nuances as well as the complexities of life today
I have long admired David's irrepressible humour, quick wit and keen eye for style. This anthology is a collection of indispensable wisdom
A perfect compendium of distinguished, humorous and polished advice for a gentlemanly way of living
David Tang has never held a commonplace opinion in his life. He is the most provocative, amusing, sophisticated, counter-intuitive and energetic man I know, and these qualities are present on every single page of this remarkable anthology
Wise, witty and wicked, with useful advice for living
David Tang is a living treasure, a unique polymath, equally at ease thinking inside and outside the box, East, West, modern, old, refined or not. His 'rules' are anything but conventional, they are refreshing and humorous reflections on our daily actions, much more than a code of conduct
Genuinely hilarious. David was the only person who could make my father laugh (and who incidentally rated him and only him as being at his level as a club owner)
David Tang is an astute observer of the social scene with a wicked sense of humour. A most welcome read in these dark times
David Tang is my 'UNCLE DAVE': Unique, Notorious, Charismatic, Lovable, Eccentric, Daring, Anal, Vivacious, Enigmatic
Can't wait to read it

Rules for Modern Life

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    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Sir David Tang

    3 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

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      Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
      Publication Date: 06/02/2020
      ISBN13: 9780241453568, 978-0241453568
      ISBN10: 0241453569

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Do gentlemen wear shorts? What are the rules regarding interior decor in a high-security prison? Is it ever acceptable to send Valentine''s cards to one''s pets?

      The twenty-first century is an age of innumerable social conundrums. Around every corner lies a potential faux pas waiting to happen. But if you''ve ever struggled for the right response to an unwelcome gift or floundered for conversation at the dinner party from hell, fear not: help is at hand.

      In Rules for Modern Life, Sir David Tang, resident agony uncle at the Financial Times, delivers a satirical masterclass in navigating the social niceties of modern life. Whether you''re unsure of the etiquette of doggy bags or wondering whether a massage room in your second home would be de trop, Sir David has the answer to all your social anxieties - and much more besides.



      Trade Review
      Brilliant... Hugely entertaining * The Times *
      Useful and, more importantly, vastly entertaining * GQ *
      Incisive, outrageous and preposterously entertaining. Reading these essays in style, manners, gossip, grace and good sense is like sharing a private railway carriage with a mad but marvellous maharajah. I never wanted the journey to end
      Funny, clever and disgraceful. In terms of a useful guide to modern living, it knocks the New Testament into a cocked hat
      Excellent advice that we didn't know we needed
      Sir David Tang is the second funniest David in the world
      A trenchant and entertaining guide to negotiating the pitfalls of contemporary living * Daily Mail *
      I absolutely love Rules for Modern Life! David's amazing sense of humour and wit keep one glued to this 'pop culture bible' that everyone MUST read. It is not only educational but enlightening as well. Bravo David!
      David Tang always brings something extra to life, which is what we all want
      Uncompromising and full of style. You will laugh out loud
      Sir David Tang is effortless in his sense of style and being. And that's how it should be
      I feel a curious joy of life when I am around David Tang. He knows best
      A degree course in 21st-century decorum. It will make an aristocrat out of an arriviste
      Sharply funny and surprisingly informative. I would rather read style notes from the pen of Tang than any other source on the planet
      Eloquent and humorous
      David is a life-changer
      Filled with valuable advice. Amusingly written and a real pleasure to read
      David Tang is the thinking woman's Fu Manchu. If you are allergic to the combination of wit, brains and mischief you won't enjoy this book
      A marvellous compendium of good manners and good sense in society, reinforced with insight and sly humour
      Anyone who wants to move up the social ladder, or avoid sliding down, must read Rules for Modern Life. It is the essential primer for 21st century social success
      Hilarious and edifying. Absolutely essential reading about the nuances as well as the complexities of life today
      I have long admired David's irrepressible humour, quick wit and keen eye for style. This anthology is a collection of indispensable wisdom
      A perfect compendium of distinguished, humorous and polished advice for a gentlemanly way of living
      David Tang has never held a commonplace opinion in his life. He is the most provocative, amusing, sophisticated, counter-intuitive and energetic man I know, and these qualities are present on every single page of this remarkable anthology
      Wise, witty and wicked, with useful advice for living
      David Tang is a living treasure, a unique polymath, equally at ease thinking inside and outside the box, East, West, modern, old, refined or not. His 'rules' are anything but conventional, they are refreshing and humorous reflections on our daily actions, much more than a code of conduct
      Genuinely hilarious. David was the only person who could make my father laugh (and who incidentally rated him and only him as being at his level as a club owner)
      David Tang is an astute observer of the social scene with a wicked sense of humour. A most welcome read in these dark times
      David Tang is my 'UNCLE DAVE': Unique, Notorious, Charismatic, Lovable, Eccentric, Daring, Anal, Vivacious, Enigmatic
      Can't wait to read it

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