Just Good Manners

A Quintessential Guide to Courtesy, Charm, Grace, and Decorum

What is the correct way to queue at the bar? Why should we care about asking for people’s pronouns? And why exactly do the English say sorry so much?

No one makes such a fuss about manners quite as much as the UK, yet in a fast-changing world, no one can seem to agree on precisely what the ‘done thing’ is, either. William Hanson is on a mission to reclaim the British crown of good manners.

In Just Good Manners, he shares his definitive guidance on how to behave in every situation - as well as celebrating our country’s distinctively British way of doing things!

UK
US & CA
FRENCH
GERMAN
SIGNED
AUS

What others are saying

  • Portrait of an older man with gray hair, glasses, wearing a navy suit, blue shirt, and patterned tie, against a plain gray background.

    'Funny and unapologetic, here is a timely reminder that there is nothing divisive or old-fashioned about good manners. Hanson is like a poppy in the trenches of today’s cultural conflict.'

    ― Robert Hardman
    Author of ‘Charles III: The Inside Story’

  • "Etiquette experts often seem like spoofs. But Hanson runs with the joke. He's waspishly funny and actually knows stuff."

    ― The Mail on Sunday, 15.12.24

  • A smiling elderly woman with short brown hair, wearing a black and white patterned jacket, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace, sitting at a table with a patterned tablecloth, in a room with blue and white china dishes displayed on wooden shelves behind her.

    'A well-researched and fascinating book that is also great fun. A must for anyone who aspires to polish up their manners.'

    ― Anne Glenconner,
    Author of ‘Lady in Waiting’

  • Black and white logo of The Times newspaper with a large semi-circle and a crest featuring lions, a crown, and a ribbon.

    'Incredibly interesting and very funny.'

    ― The Times, 7.9.24

  • Bald man in a suit and tie with a serious expression, holding his hand up against a black background.

    'William Hanson is doing for etiquette what Hyacinth Bucket did for candlelight suppers. This book sparkles like the cut glass of a crystal decanter. This isn't just a set of rules on how to act posh, this is a guide to treating one another with respect. Now more than ever, who wouldn’t want to learn about that?'

    ― Tom Allen, comedian

  • A woman with blonde hair, wearing glasses and a green patterned dress, standing with one hand on her hip against a white background.

    'William is an etiquette genius with a stunning eye for detail - he's the only person who knows more about buffet suppers than I do.'

    Camilla Long, Sunday Times

  • The front page of The Mail newspaper, featuring a crest with a lion and unicorn, and the headline 'On Sunday'.

    'Read this witty guide to modern manners'

    ― The Mail on Sunday, 8.9.24

  • A middle-aged man with gray hair and beard, dressed in a gray suit and white shirt, sitting in a room with books and white blinds in the background.

    'It’s only polite to say I loved this witty, wonderful book. Good thing I really did!'

    ― Gary Janetti
    New York Times bestselling author of
    ‘Do You Mind If I Cancel?’

A red book titled 'Just Good Manners' by William Hanson held in front of an American flag. The cover features a drawing of a man in a suit holding a tea cup, smiling.

‘Just Good Manners’ is
now available in
the USA and Canada

Find out more about the transatlantic release of my latest book.

More info

More etiquette books by William

  • The book cover of 'Help: I S*xted My Boss' by William Hanson and Jordan North features two men sitting in chairs with a bright red background. One man has short blond hair, is wearing a blue sweater, and is holding a white cup and saucer. The other man has curly dark hair, a beard, and is dressed in a dark jacket, holding a mug. The top of the cover highlights it as a Sunday Times bestseller, and the bottom features the Penguin logo.

    Help I S*xted My Boss

    From candlelight suppers to picky teas, first dates to flatmate dramas, Help I S*xted My Boss is full of both useful and useless advice. This is your indispensable guide to navigating the trepidation of modern life.

    Order here
  • Cover of a book titled 'Protocol to Manage Relationships Today,' showing a group of ten diverse professionals in formal attire sitting and standing in an elegant room with a large mirror and chandelier, with the names of authors and publisher listed at the bottom.

    Protocol to Manage Relationships Today

    Protocol to Manage Relationships Today explains the contemporary value of protocol, not only for monarchies or diplomatic institutes but for any non-profit or for-profit organisation.

    Order here
  • Book cover titled "The Buffer's Guide to Etiquette" with illustration of a woman riding a horse in front of a large building, decorated for a formal event with a table set with glasses, plates, silverware, and a centerpieces. The cover includes a purple circle indicating "The 5 million copy bestselling series" and a purple banner reading "New Title." The author's name, Mr. William Hanson, is on a nameplate on the table.

    The Bluffer’s Guide To Etiquette

    Instantly acquire all the knowledge you need to pass as an expert in the world of etiquette and high society. Know what to say, what not to say, where to be seen and what and what not to wear.

    Regrettably, the book is now out of print.

    order here
  • Book cover titled "Bluffer's Guide to Entertaining" by William Hanson, with an illustration of a man setting a table in front of a wine glass, with the subtitle "Instant Wit and Wisdom".

    The Bluffer’s Guide to Entertaining

    In the follow-up book to The Bluffer’s Guide to Etiquette, William reveals the necessary rules and protocols about everything from `working a room' to selecting the right food and drink for different occasions.

    Regrettably, the book is now out of print.

    order here
  • Cover of a book titled "Etiquette: The Original Guide to Conduct in Society, Business, Home and More" by Emily Post, with a blue background and gold Art Deco border, featuring a gold fan-like emblem above the title.

    Emily Post's Etiquette

    William was asked to write the foreword for the 2017 reprint of the seminal Etiquette (originally published in 1922) by Emily Post. The book has served for generations as the premiere American guide to manners and decorum.

    Order here