Lizzie Post is the great-great granddaughter of Emily Post, THE foremost expert on socialite behavior and human interaction. Lizzie has just come out with a new fabulous book, "How Do You Work This Life Thing?"--a practical guide for all of us living in the real world, who are trying to figure out how to act in some of the stranger situations in which we find ourselves.
I had a chance to sit down with Lizzie and chat about her new book and some of her favorite tips from it!
CW: Tell us a little about yourself.
LP: Well I'm 24 years old and I live in Burlington, VT. I went to University of Vermont and got my B.S. in Art Education, and decided I hated the 5:30am-3:30pm schedule, so I didn't pursue teaching. I'm a painter, but for some reason, my couch sees more of me than my easel. My family and friends are very important to me and I'm lucky because they're all pretty cool. Let's see... I love to cook; I mean, I really love to cook, especially for my friends. Nothing beats getting a bunch of people together and making something yummy.
CW: How important is etiquette in your family?
LP: Well, you know, it pays the bills. Seriously, etiquette is very important to us, but not as you might think. What we really care about, is making people comfortable with each other.
CW: What inspired you to write "How Do You Work This Life Thing?" Is there a particular occurrence or story that coincides with the book's conception?
LP: The inspiration came from my freshman year in college. People slowly found out about my dad's book, "Essential Manners For Men," and they all thought a book for us would be a good idea. I thought about it and realized, "Yeah, we all spend a lot of energy and time complaining to each other about our roommates." So I started writing down ideas.
Keep reading after the jump for more of ASL'S interview with Lizzie, and details on how to win a copy of her book!
CW: How has being a part of the Post family shaped your life?
LP: It has certainly given me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise. Not many kids grow up with an 80-year relationship with a publishing house, and a name that is associated with being proper. But more than that, I think it has made me aware of people's actions and what their actions convey. That can be both good and bad. Sometimes, you know your friend or your boyfriend don't have bad intentions. But at work here at the Emily Post Institute, we talk about how our actions affect others all the time. So it's hard when your friends' and loved ones' actions don't add up with their intentions. It's like, you really want to hand them one of the books and say, "See, you're being this guy right now!" But obviously, that'd be bad etiquette to blatantly point out a mistake and of course, I'd hate it if someone did it to me! (Laughs.)
CW: Was it difficult to translate the lessons you learned as a Post into lessons that make sense in the modern world?
LP: See, this is why I was glad to be born a Post. Post etiquette is all about consideration, and common sense. It makes it very easy to apply it to the ever-changing modern world.
CW: What is your favorite tip from the book?
LP: I think my favorite part talks about etiquette and friends. I think we all too often take certain people in our lives for granted and it's really important to take a moment and think, "How do I treat my friends and how does it affect them?" It's very easy to overlook how much people care for you, so I think this tip is a good reminder
CW: How has writing this book changed your life?
LP: Well, I'm still waiting for that cash to kick in, but the biggest thing it's changed is my relationship with my dad. We've always been close and he's always been my idol, but when I started writing, he was there for me all the time and we worked together. All of a sudden, I realized I could talk to him about anything, and that he gave really great advice. I think for both of us, this etiquette thing has really taught us a lot about communicating with others, and how to listen and give advice. I feel like he's totally involved in my life, but he lets me live it. And I know that it's working together that has brought on this change, so I'm pretty darn grateful for it. Other than that, though, it's shown me that I'm very project- oriented. Give me a task and some guidelines and I'll make it happen.
CW: What's next for you?
LP: Oh God, I wish I knew. I think I've found though that writing is a profession I can do and I enjoy. I never thought in a million years I'd say that, so I really have no idea what's next. Surprise me, life!
Don't forget, we're running a contest giving away copies of Lizzie's new book! All you have to do is email one of the most embarrassing moments of your life to contest@socialitelife.celebuzz.com with the subject "This Life Thing" and we will choose the 20 most hilarious responses to publish on the site (names will be kept confidential) and win! You have until Midnight EST on Thursday, April 18th to enter.
King Smart Ian
Cause really who better to get life lessons from than an unemployed 24 year old trading on her family's name?
looj says:
weird...i went to grade school (and college it seems) with this girl. we grew up in the same town. i never pictured her as someone who should be giving me advice.
kc says:
In response to all of the above. Remember to open your mind when you open your eyes and read. She acknowledged her blessed heritage, and expressed thanks for her familial network connection. So, don't her by her placement in life, read her work and judge her talent by your taste for her writing. By the way, advice is just food for thought, thrown out for you to swallow at your own discretion. Many authors with less education and infuencial upbringing have written "How to.." books. Stop taking yourselves too seriously and start giving others a little more slack.