Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Manik Kaur’s Etiquette Book Recasts Civility as Mindful Living
Manik Kaur’s book says etiquette is more than knowing which fork to use.
It means treating people with respect and making them feel noticed.
This applies at home, at work and online.
The book says messages and video calls still involve real people with real feelings.
It encourages everyone, including men, to be thoughtful and polite.
The reviewer especially likes its ideas about listening, apologising and making room for others.
The reviewer thinks some exercises and checklists are repeated too often.
Overall, the book is described as a guide to helping people make the world feel more welcoming.
Manik Kaur’s Everyday Etiquette presents etiquette as awareness, consideration and mindful citizenship rather than social polish alone.
The book applies courtesy to everyday interactions, including family life, workplaces, domestic staff, messages and digital communication.
It argues that refinement is neither masculine nor feminine, encouraging men as well as women to practise civility.
The reviewer praises Kaur’s emphasis on listening, apologising, acknowledging others and creating a sense of belonging.
A minor criticism is that checklists, summaries and repeated exercises sometimes interrupt the warmth of the storytelling.
- Who
- Manik Kaur, author of Everyday Etiquette: The Art of Mindful Living, and the reviewer.
- What
- A review argues that Kaur’s book redefines etiquette as mindful citizenship, respect and belonging.
- Where
- The discussion ranges from everyday social interactions to digital spaces, with references to India, New York and upstate New York.
- Why
- Kaur aims to show that awareness and considerate conduct remain important in modern life.
- Book
- Everyday Etiquette: The Art of Mindful Living
- Author
- Manik Kaur
- Central idea
- Etiquette is awareness made visible and a form of mindful citizenship.
- Digital focus
- The book addresses courtesy in WhatsApp groups, social media, email and video meetings.
- Audience
- The book is presented as relevant to fathers, sons, executives, students, entrepreneurs and leaders, as well as women.
- Reviewer’s criticism
- Checklists, summaries and repeated exercises occasionally interrupt the book’s storytelling.
- Reported reception
- Booksellers are described as reporting strong demand and enthusiastic readership.