The challenge of manners is not so much to be nice to someone whose favor and/or person you covet (although more people… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The underlying principles of manners- respect, fairness, and congeniality. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Nobody believes that the man who says, 'Look, lady, you wanted equality,' to explain why he won't give up his seat to… — 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
GENTLE READER: You, sir, are an anarchist, and Miss Manners is frightened to have anything to do with you. It is true… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
it's no longer socially acceptable to make bigoted statements and racist remarks. Some people are having an awful time with that: 'I… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Miss Manners herself, while never rude, is given to pulling a fast pinch in the way of a handshake on those who… — 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
It is one of Miss Manners's great discoveries that one needn't contradict others in order to set them straight. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Miss Manners does not mind explaining the finer points of gracious living, but she feels that anyone without the sense to pick… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Nowadays, we never allow ourselves the convenience of being temporarily unavailable, even to strangers. With telephone and beeper, people subject themselves to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
. . . women were brought up to have only one set of manners. A woman was either a lady or she… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Like language, a code of manners can be used with more or less skill, for laudable or for evil purposes, to express… — 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
Manners require showing consideration of all human beings, not just the ones to whom one is close. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
People who put slipcovers, doilies, plastic protectors, and cellophane on everything good that they own rarely live to see an occasion so… — 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
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
