This book came to fruition due to the care, concern, love, and support of so many individuals. I am grateful to so many, from those who assisted me with my questions to those who endured my writing absences.
In the world of books: Michael Fragnito, for being a long-term advocate of etiquette, and Hallie Einhorn, for inspiring me to write at all and returning for the final round of this manuscript to bring it to a higher level; you are my guardian editor. All of the editors who worked on this book, including but not limited to: Meredith Hale, Laura Koch, Jacqueline Deval, Marisa Bulzone, Sarah Scheffel, Mary Hern, and my champion, Jennifer Williams.
Those in my office who witnessed all of the updates and edits and encouraged me to write more: Marianne Cohen, Winston Jenkins, and Ellen Kayser.
To the thousands of participants of the Mannersmith workshops, seminars, and presentations with your skepticism, curiosity, and ultimate interest; your energy fueled me.
The fabulous Liz Cooper, whose interest in etiquette is ongoing.
To the reporters, producers, journalists, hosts, interviewers, Web masters, bloggers, and DJs who continue to contact me and share the gospel of good manners with their readers, viewers, and listeners.
To my fellow authors who truly understood the constraints and empathized with my deadlines: Diane Danielson, Eric Dolin, Mim Harrison, Steve Leveen, Jenna McCarthy, Margaret Shepherd, and Duncan Watts.
To my patient husband, Douglas, and my family, who allowed me to slip away and write while playfully claiming sibling rivalry with the computer.
To my parents, who have always loved me. To my grandmother, whose sense of perspective is priceless. To my in-laws, who seamlessly support me. And a special thanks to Stacy and Allen Kamer for playing the dual roles of both family and friends.
To my friends, whose support is enduring (in order of appearance in my life, beginning with the first day of school): Robin Judd, Lauren Santos, Susan Berkun, Lisa Ashenmil, Ellen Samberg, Marta Pomerantz, Jennifer Lee-Olmstead, Amy Bannerman, Michelle Dawson, Kim Comatas, Jeanette McGarry, Sabrina Brock, Michelle Hasty, and Jennifer Dolin.
To my first mentor, the marvelous Ginger Burr.
Lastly, to my Phi Sigma Sigma sisters, who selected me many years ago as their recruitment chair and set me down a lifelong path of good manners.
As I write, I know there are those worthy of being named who are not mentioned. I can only hope they are gracious enough to understand that I already hold them in my heart.