You don't want to look too chic at a Washington party or people will think you don't have a job worth losing. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
When you consider how epidemic boredom is in our time, you have to concede that entertaining is a healing art. — Judith Martin Art Copy Share Image
A small wedding is not necessarily one to which very few people are invited. It is one to which the person you… — Judith Martin Marriage Copy Share Image
Adorable children are considered to be the general property of the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Society cannot exist without etiquette ... It never has, and until our own century, everybody knew that. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Miss Manners’ meager arsenal consists only of the withering look, the insistent and repeated request, the cold voice, the report up the… — Judith Martin Chain of command Copy Share Image
If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you… — Judith Martin Children Copy Share Image
“Eating grapes with a knife and fork is not what one would call refined. It is what one would call ludicrous.” — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The whole country wants civility. Why don't we have it? It doesn't cost anything. No federal funding, no legislation is involved. One… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Etiquette is about all of human social behavior. Behavior is regulated by law when etiquette breaks down or when the stakes are… — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
“Nevertheless, the same rule applies as at accidents. If you cannot fulfill the need for medical or practical assistance, help fill the… — Judith Martin Discipline Copy Share Image
people, in forming their opinions of others, are usually lazy enough to go by whatever is most obvious or whatever chance remark… — Judith Martin Chance Copy Share Image
“Without such rules, there are no exchanges of ideas, only exchanges of set positions and insults. People who disagree rapidly move from… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
I have always believed that the key to a happy marriage was the ability to say with a straight face, 'Why, I… — Judith Martin Ability Copy Share Image
“As successful people are afraid of being used, unsuccessful people are afraid of being snubbed, interesting people want to talk about something… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
One reason that the task of inventing manners is so difficult is that etiquette is folk custom, and people have emotional ties… — Judith Martin Being different Copy Share Image
Knowing that others have gone through similar tragedies may be a help, but it should be remembered that every tragedy is not… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“the chair is the correct place for you to leave your napkin if you get up in midmeal; it is at the… — Judith Martin Food Copy Share Image
“It reminds her of those dreadful sorts who used to go around announcing “I’m a people person,” as though one had another… — Judith Martin Heart Copy Share Image
The language of clothing is high symbolism and we all, in moments where we need to know this, realize it. — Judith Martin Clothing Copy Share Image
It is one of Miss Manners's great discoveries that one needn't contradict others in order to set them straight. — Judith Martin Discovery Copy Share Image
Meanwhile, the empty forms of social behavior survive inappropriately in business situations. We all know that when a business sends its customers… — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn't need to have the rest of the universities attached. — Judith Martin Education Copy Share Image
Yes, etiquette is hypocritical. Yes, it does inhibit children - if you're lucky. But the idea that it's elitist and irrelevant is… — Judith Martin Children Copy Share Image
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, but I can’t.” “I’d love to, but I’m afraid it’s impossible.” “Unfortunately, I can’t, but I hope you… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
A general rule of etiquette is that one apologizes for the unfortunate occurrence, but the unthinkable is unmentionable. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what they did was to force immorality to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Most people who work at home find they do not have the benefit of receptionists who serve as personal guards — Judith Martin Home Copy Share Image
The etiquette question that troubles so many fastidious people New Year's Day is: How am I ever going to face those people… — Judith Martin Etiquette Copy Share Image
A wedding invitation is sent by people who have been saying, "Do we have to ask them?" to people whose first response… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
People think, mistakenly, that etiquette means you have to suppress your differences. On the contray, etiquette is what enables you to deal… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The simple idea that everyone needs a reasonable amount of challenging work in his or her life, and also a personal life,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The family dinner table is the cornerstone of civilization and those who 'graze' from refrigerators or in front of the television sets… — Judith Martin Civilization Copy Share Image
Whamming someone smaller than oneself in order to teach that person civilized behavior is not within Miss Manners' concept of propriety, much… — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
Question- Should I loan a small amount of money to a friend? Answer- If you are sure that you can, if necessary,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
We're now seeing email that people thought they had deleted showing up as evidence in court. You can't erase email. As that… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
We are born charming fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“As dear Erasmus said in De Civilitate, “It is safe to admit nothing that might embarrass one if repeated.” Gossip” — Judith Martin Gossip Copy Share Image
Etiquette does not render you defenseless. If it did, even I wouldn't subscribe to it. But rudeness in retaliation for rudeness just… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“Lady” is not used before the lady’s first name unless she is the daughter of a duke, marquess or earl; those who… — Judith Martin Children Copy Share Image
