• KEYS TO SUCCESS
  • The Power Of Concentration
  • Be Positive!
  • Handling Peer Pressure
  • The Pointing Finger
  • Say 'Boo!' to Stage Fright!
  • Making Friends
  • Tackling Bullies
  • Handling Problems
  • Beat those Blues!
  • Six Steps To Better Learning
  • Writing A Resume
  • Develop the Right Attitude
  • Developing Confidence
  • Goal in Life
  • Bridging The Gap
  • Come out of your shell
  • Changing Track
• SELF IMPROVEMENT
  • 5-Star Etiquette
  • Do it Now!
  • Be Your Word
  • Read Up!
  • Battling fear
  • Don't Worry, Be Happy
  • Organise Yourself
  • Give it Your Best!
• TO THE MANNER BORN
  • Fair Play
  • Love Thy Neighbour
  • Bathroom Etiquette
  • Guests and Hosts
  • Booked!
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Good manners
  • When Guests Come
  • On Shaking Hands
  • Getting back to people
  • Please Excuse Me!
  • P’s & Q’s

To The Manner Born
Booked!

In India, books are traditionally considered the symbol of Saraswati, the goddess of learning. In fact, it’s taboo to let one’s feet even accidentally touch a book. How can you make your books last for ages?
* Don’t fold down the corner of the pages to mark the place you were last reading. Instead use a bookmark. ‘Dog-eared’ books not only look awful, their pages also tear easily.
* Never place an open book face down. It damages the spine and loosens the binding. The pages become filthy, too. Don’t leave books open anyway.
* Folding books backwards is a strict no-no. Keep the book spread out flat on its back when reading, preferably on a table.
* Never, never, underline words and sentences or scribble in the margins — especially in library books. Not only does it spoil the book, but it also spoils the enjoyment of the next reader.
* A cardinal sin is tearing pages out or cutting out pictures from books. Remember, books are not raddi. They are meant to be cherished.
* Arrange books in a standing position, not one on top of the other. Use bookends if you have to keep books on your table.
* Don’t wet your finger with spittle when turning the pages of a book. Yuck! That’s awful! The correct way of turning pages is to lift each one gently from the bottom or top right hand corner.
* Are you reading while eating? Stop! Surely you don’t want dal and oil spattering those pristine white pages.
* And last, but not the least, it is sensible to cover books with clear plastic as soon as you buy them.