It was the second edition of “Etiquette for Dummies” sitting on a table near my desk that set me off on a rant yesterday. The entire Dummy and Complete Idiot series of books causes me much pain and aggravation. I consider calling people dummies and then professing to teach them self-improvement activities to be problematic. Of course, I must be in the minority. The wildly popular series shows no sign of changing their evil ways.

Now, there’s a new series in the making, “How not to look … (insert insult here).” It’s unofficial as of yet, but some savvy publisher may soon remedy that. In 2006, Danica Lo produced “How Not to Look Fat,” and I actually found it pretty cute and apt, but this year Charla Krupp (who looks like a nice person from the glam shot on the cover) has produced, “How not to look old.” The book addresses 40-somethings and as someone rapidly approaching that demographic I’m a little put-off.

I must be the only one because she’s been spreading her brand of gospel on morning talk shows and various national press outlets. You can read up on her wisdom at www.hownottolookold.com. Sad, but true. Why don’t these people just call these books, “I’m cute and you’re ugly: Read my book to find out how I did it (by the way, I used really small words so that you’ll understand).”

Excuse me, but who taught these moro… um… well-intentioned purveyors of self-help how to address an audience. Oh, silly me. They must be reading “Etiquette for Dummies.”