Book: Advice from Strangers by Rachel Parris

Everything I Know From People I Don’t Know

This book may well be the best value I've purchased, especially considering it was a chance find from the slightly damaged sale pile.

I initially thought it would be a light, funny read that I could dip in and out of, but I found myself captivated from the very beginning. While it is indeed humorous, it also addresses serious topics such as baby loss, everyday and deeply rooted sexism, and the negative experiences women face when they are in the public eye and dare to voice their opinions.

Based on advice given by her live audience during a tour, the author shares her insights and sometimes offers a differing perspective. It’s perplexing why we need to tell people to "be kind" or "respect women," yet that seems to be the world we live in. In the chapter titled ‘Stay hydrated/respect women,’ Rachel questions why men kiss women but shake hands with other men. It's a valid question; I've never understood that level of intimacy with relative strangers anyway.

Additionally, why do men take up more space when sitting next to women, making us uncomfortable, but don’t do the same with other men?

I also appreciate that I'm not the only one who dislikes the "be like a man in the workplace" mantra. Why would anyone want to behave poorly?

And this is just from one short chapter. 38 others offer such wonderful insights. What was once deemed wasteful to spend time reading is now essential. The same can be said for television. How much more did we watch during the pandemic, and how grateful were we for it? What’s next—phones?

This is a fabulous, funny, and insightful book that I know I will be recommending to many.