Do You Have All the Answers?

"The world is so crazy these days," Stephanie Pierson said to me when I asked her about the genesis of her new book, with co-author Barbara Harrison, What To Do [When No One Has A Clue] — Advice for the Brave New World (Potter, 2010).

And it's true. It's one of the things that can make you feel old — when things are changing so fast and your wealth of life experience doesn't really cover it. Now I'm a big believer in good manners — I think it speaks volumes about your personal style. But touchy topics like cell-phone junkies and Cosmetic Surgery Etiquette aren't really covered in Emily Post.

Harrison, who reminds me of the actress Allison Janney, and Pierson, whose sprightly energy and enthusiasm for the topic is infectious, tackle tough 21st century courtesy conundrums like do you "friend" your children on Facebook – and what if they don't "friend" you back. Is it OK to ask your pregnant friend, who's your age, if she had IVF and how much did it cost? Who gets the dog in a divorce? Is it OK to ask a man on a first date if he uses Viagra?

One of my favorites: If a waiter recommends a wine and then you get the bill for $26 a glass(!), can you grouse about it to the management?

The authors round up a swarm of experts to unravel today's good manners minefield and take the sting out of embarrassing moments, from party planner Colin Cowie on multi generational bridal showers to hairstylist Louis Licari on whether to let your 7-year-old get a makeover.

Their entertaining YouTube video for the book perfectly captures the spirit of the enterprise. Seinfeld-esque questions about modern good manners and common sense answers delivered with a soupçon of insouciance. As Pierson said, "We want to be worth of wrestling with the  zeitgeist" — and they are! Think of the zeitgeist getting bull-whipped into shape with a bit of a feather boa on the end for style.

The behavioral dilemmas are endless. At a lunchtime event at NYC's 92YTribeca, one woman asked the authors what to do if you're given a very large piece of art — and you hate it.

What would you do?