Does anyone truly understand proper etiquette....?

It would also depend on your opinion as to precisely what etiquette demands. For example, British and American etiquette are completely different. As a British person living in the U.S., I often think that Americans, generally, lack many of the social graces that are the norm in the U.K.

I'm sorry, but to properly answer your question, I would have to throw your first question right back at you. What do you think etiquette is?

Since the rules about etiquette vary by ethnicity, culture, religion, country, state, town, and even street to street, it is difficult to say just what it is.

I think it is a set of rules, changing with the times and necessity, to make living around other humans not so terrible.

It's like the book said, the rules we learned in kindergarten are still with us, and in use.

An example: in our neighborhood, it is the norm to slip a few bucks into a sympathy card, usually around $5, to help offfset funeral expenses. Some of my friends had never heard of that, they bring food to the wake, or send flowers, or give to charity, or put something in a group collection. No small bills in the cards. and this is often done in addition to sending flowers, and all the rest.

"Politeness" has regretfully gone by the wayside since the "invention" of FREE SPEECH.

In most societies across the world, the "ME FIRST!" attitude reigns supreme.

ALTHOUGH, when / if you do encounter some who follow "Proper Etiquette" as observed by the British Royal sect, in the days when it was most properly observed to allow the Lady to step 2 paces ahead of the Gentleman and wait for him to lie his coat over the mud puddle, so she will not make her feet soiled, you will be very lucky.

GOOD LUCK with your search.

I think it reflects peoples lack of ability to logically categorise questions, and very little to do with etiquette at all.

Now that's an oxymoron: 'polite society'.

We're no where near politeness. We're more like tamed animals..... who can bite at any time!

Humans are awful creatures. We destroy everything around us: the atmosphere, our fellow creatures, the environment, you name it, we've killed it.

We deserve the nuclear war that's coming!... you know it is....

Does polite society dictate you pretend that someone is acceptable to you, when in fact their character may absolutely repulse you? Is this where two-facedness originates?

no but its just polite to have proper etiquette when your around people

Go to finishing school.

"Please" and "Thank you" are two words that make me extremely happy.

I don't think people have a basic understanding of manners anymore.

I do. I posses all knowledge.