Why Courtesy in the 21st Century Has Nothing to Do with Etiquette. By Rainer Erlinger, author of the popular column "The Conscience Question" in the magazine of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." Is holding the door open good manners from the old school or just silly? Making space doesn't really help. And what does restraint mean when everyone else is rushing past me? In his new book, Rainer Erlinger approaches courtesy from surprising angles: courtesy and religion, courtesy and provocation, courtesy between the sexes. He circles around this old virtue, using wit, sharp insight, and numerous examples from his own experience, literature, and film to examine: What is still valuable about this seemingly worthless virtue today? A thoughtful exploration of what holds society together at its core, and a book that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.