You think death is any better an excuse for desertion than any other? — Judith Martin Death Copy Share Image
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. — Judith Martin Character Copy Share Image
The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this. — Judith Martin Busybodies Copy Share Image
You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter. — Judith Martin Attention Copy Share Image
The underlying principles of manners- respect, fairness, and congeniality. — Judith Martin Congeniality Copy Share Image
The way one was brought up isn't an excuse for rude behavior. — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
The stress of making small talk with in-laws is called being part of a family. — Judith Martin Family Copy Share Image
Manners require showing consideration of all human beings, not just the ones to whom one is close. — Judith Martin Consideration Copy Share Image
When politeness is used to show up other people, it is reclassified as rudeness. Thus it is technically impossible to be too… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
We already know that anonymous letters are despicable. In etiquette, as well as in law, hiring a hit man to do the… — Judith Martin Anonymous Copy Share Image
When people start hurling insults at you, you know their minds are closed and there's no point in debating. You disengage yourself… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
People read informality as, 'Do whatever you feel like,' and whatever you feel like might be disastrous. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
the obligation to express gratitude deepens with procrastination. The longer you wait, the more effusive must be the thanks. — Judith Martin Expressing gratitude Copy Share Image
When someone has tried to please you, it is rude, as well as disheartening, to respond by announcing that the effort was… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Washington knows that it is not safe to kick people who are down until you find out what their next stop will… — Judith Martin Kicks Copy Share Image
When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can't live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without a comment is a wonderful social grace ... Children who have the habit of constantly… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Precision marching is less important for the bridal party than maintaining the proper facial expresssions: The bridegroom must look awed; the bridesmaids,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
I make a distinction between manners and etiquette - manners as the principles, which are eternal and universal, etiquette as the particular… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Conversation, which is supposed to be a two-way street, is treated by many people as if it were a divided highway. They… — Judith Martin Communication Copy Share Image
What you have when everyone wears the same playclothes for all occasions, is addressed by nickname, expected to participate in Show And… — Judith Martin All occasions Copy Share Image
“Miss Manners corrects only upon request. Then she does it from a distance, with no names attached, and no personal relationship, however… — Judith Martin Manners Copy Share Image
Etiquette enables you to resolve conflict without just trading insults. Without etiquette, the irritations in modern life are so abrasive that you… — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
The rationale that etiquette should be eschewed because it fosters inequality does not ring true in a society that openly admits to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
A young lady is a female child who has just done something dreadful. — Judith Martin Child Copy Share Image
Smart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Nowadays people consider it a disgrace to admit that they are not stressed. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
We are all entitled to our little harmless habits, but we are not entitled to demand approval for them. — Judith Martin Approval Copy Share Image
“Yes, indeed. “Good morning” is an opener, and “Good day” is a closer.” — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help. — Judith Martin Good qualities Copy Share Image
Sometimes we do things a certain way just because that is the way we do things. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
There is no etiquette rule that decrees one must give out personal information to anyone who asks. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it. — Judith Martin Advice Copy Share Image
Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one. — Judith Martin New technology Copy Share Image
Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without comment is a wonderful social grace. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Email is very informal, a memo. But I find that not signing off or not having a salutation bothers me. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
You should resolve not to seek public approval of your private business, when you are not also prepared to accept public disapproval. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“One can become quite proficient at this amiable patter; the trick is to omit the instructive parts when attending formal dinner parties… — Judith Martin Dinner parties Copy Share Image
Over the last couple of decades, the personalization of the office changed dramatically... there's an informality people often take for the absence… — Judith Martin Absence Copy Share Image
