San Francisco Public Library

The curmudgeon's guide to getting ahead, dos and don'ts of right behavior, tough thinking, clear writing, and living a good life, Charles Murray

eng

no index present

non fiction

The curmudgeon's guide to getting ahead

863197927

Charles Murray

dos and don'ts of right behavior, tough thinking, clear writing, and living a good life

A "fussy--and entertaining--book on the hidden rules of the road in the workplace, and in life, from the standpoint of an admonishing but encouraging workplace grouch and taskmaster. Why the curmudgeon? The fact is, most older, more senior people over us in the workplace are closet curmudgeons. In today's politically correct world, they may hide their displeasure over your misuse of grammar, or your overly familiar use of their first name without an express invitation. But don't be fooled by their pleasant demeanor. Underneath, they are judging and evaluating your every move and utterance"--, Provided by publisher

Introduction -- On the presentation of self in the workplace -- Don't suck up -- Don't use first names with people considerably older than you until asked, and sometimes not even then -- Excise the word like from your spoken English -- Stop "reaching out" and "sharing," and other prohibitions -- On the proper use of strong language -- On piercings, tattoos, and hair of a color not know to nature -- Negotiating the minefield of contemporary office dress -- Office emails are not texts to friends -- What to do if you have a bad boss -- The entitled shall inherit the earth -- Manners at the office and in general -- Standing out isn't as hard as you think (I) -- Standing out isn't as hard as you think (II) -- On thinking and writing well -- Putting together your basic writing toolkit -- A bare-bones usage primer -- Writing when you already know what you want to say -- Writing when you don't know what you want to say -- Don't wait for the muse -- Learn to love rigor -- On the formation of who you are -- Leave home -- Recalibrate your perspective on time -- Get real jobs -- Confront your inner hothouse flower -- Think about what kinds of itches need scratching -- Being judgmental is good, and you don't have a choice anyway -- Come to grips with the distinction between can do and may do -- Come to grips with the difference between being nice and being good -- Don't ruin your love affair with yourself -- On the pursuit of happiness -- Show up -- Take the cliches about fame and fortune seriously -- Take religion seriously, especially if you been socialized not to -- Take the cliches about marriage seriously -- Be open to a startup marriage instead of a merger marriage -- Watch Groundhog Day repeatedly -- That's it