The above program entitled Etiquette, Civility and Good Manners aired this time last year. In it we explored the history of etiquette and asked questions about the seemingly ever-increasing rudeness of the general population. Coincidentally, just this month ,the latest edition Evolutionary Psychology hit the internet with a review of Amy Alkon’s new book I See Rude People. And, although I have not read the book myself I intend to after reading the review.  Here’s an excerpt of the review:

 I See Rude People is a seamless mixture of two types of stories. On the one hand, the book details her hilarious personal take on the rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate people who ruin the day for her and everyone else (people who have loud private conversations on cell phones in public places; parents who let their children run wild and cause nuisance to everyone around; telemarketers who call at all hours; liberal and progressive cyberbullies) and how she deals with such rude people in her everyday life. Then weaved with them are real-life detective stories in which Alkon tracks down individual criminals who victimized her (a thief who stole her car; a toothless black woman who stole her money via identity theft; an elderly driver who hit and damaged her car in a supermarket parking lot).

And, if that isn’t enough for you the reviewer goes onto say:

The book also serves a very important purpose of reaching civilian readers who would never read Evolutionary Psychology and scientific papers and books on evolutionary psychology (as Alkon has) and spreading the important lessons of evolutionary psychology that apply to their everyday life.

I don’t know about you, but it wasn’t until my boss passed along the article that I even knew that the online journal Evolutionary Psychology existed.  And, since yesterday was family literacy day I think it would be appropriate to mention how lucky I feel to work with such a literate bunch and to have a boss that points out interesting articles.  I learn much from those around me and for that I am grateful. 

Enjoy the show.