Society cannot exist without etiquette ... It never has, and until our own century, everybody knew that. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The etiquette of intimacy is very different from the etiquette of formality, but manners are not just something to show off to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The idea that people can behave naturally, without resorting to an artificial code tacitly agreed upon by their society, is as silly… — 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 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 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 Copy Share Image
Shame is the proper reaction when one has purposefully violated the accepted behavior of society. Inflicting it is etiquette's response when its… — Judith Martin 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 Copy Share Image
You can deny all you want that there is etiquette, and a lot of people do in everyday life. But if 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
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
If it's against state law, it's generally considered a breach of Etiquette. — 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 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
Freedom without rules doesn't work. And communities do not work unless they are regulated by etiquette. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Etiquette is all human social behavior. If you're a hermit on a mountain, you don't have to worry about etiquette; if somebody… — 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
One of the big no-nos in cyberspace is that you do not go into a social activity, a chat group or something… — Judith Martin 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 Copy Share Image
To sacrifice the principles of manners, which require compassion and respect, and bat people over the head with their ignorance of etiquette… — 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
The etiquette business has its emergencies, heaven knows, but it is in the nature of etiquette emergencies that once one realizes what… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
People say when you're in love, you don't need etiquette. Well, you need it then more than anything. Or they say, "At… — 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 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
If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you have is… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this. — 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 be discreet.… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Perhaps the greatest rudenesses of our time come not from the callousness of strangers, but from the solicitousness of intimates who believe that their… — 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 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 come by… — Judith Martin 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
I have always believed that the key to a happy marriage was the ability to say with a straight face, 'Why, I don't know… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
