Manners require showing consideration of all human beings, not just the ones to whom one is close. — Judith Martin Consideration 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 Announcements 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
Nowadays people consider it a disgrace to admit that they are not stressed. — Judith Martin Disgrace 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 Good day Copy Share Image
Sometimes we do things a certain way just because that is the way we do things. — Judith Martin Certain 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 Impossible 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 Closed 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
“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
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
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 Chic 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 Accepting 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 Arbitrary 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
The rationale that etiquette should be eschewed because it fosters inequality does not ring true in a society that openly admits to… — Judith Martin Conveying 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 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 Answers 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
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
It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it. — Judith Martin Advice Copy Share Image
There is no etiquette rule that decrees one must give out personal information to anyone who asks. — Judith Martin Asks Copy Share Image
It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help. — Judith Martin Good qualities 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 Allowing 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
Adorable children are considered to be the general property of the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers. — Judith Martin Adorable Copy Share Image
Society cannot exist without etiquette ... It never has, and until our own century, everybody knew that. — Judith Martin Century 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 Grapes 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
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
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
If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn't need to have the rest of the universities attached. — Judith Martin Education 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 Impossible Copy Share Image
A general rule of etiquette is that one apologizes for the unfortunate occurrence, but the unthinkable is unmentionable. — Judith Martin Apologizing Copy Share Image
