No matter how wealthy, attractive or powerful you are, according to the authors of "Better than Beauty: A Guide to Charm," none of these will redeem you from the unflattering label of being boorish, rude or insensitive to the feelings of others. While the practice of good manners has dismally diminished with the rise of technology and the dissolution of traditional families, a polite and refined demeanor is still an attribute appreciated in social and business situations.