What do you get when a journalist waits over an hour for a hot dog only to be thrown out for having the nerve to ask where his lunch is? This book.

I was a little concerned a book about rudeness would come across as the weak-willed crotchety whining of someone who perceived they were wronged. But it didn’t turn out that way at all. He found that there has been academic studies and social experiments around the world that have tried to find out why people are rude. He wasn’t the first to tackle this subject and after reading the book, I’m sure he won’t be the last.

Some of what is considered rude is determined by the culture. When the cultures come into contact intentional rudeness occurs. How the French view Japanese tourists is a great example he gives. But even within a culture, there can be rudeness clashes. He also points to the lack of women in high positions of power. Those that made it are considered to have gotten ahead by being a bitch. Yet, if those same actions were performed by a man, he would be called “determined”.

There are many other facets of rudeness that he explores but I wanted to just mention two others: driving and Trump. Because, let’s face it, he had to. He makes really good points about both of them. He writing style is quick and funny. It’s a really good read about are really misunderstood topic.