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
Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what they did was to force immorality to… — Judith Martin Able 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
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
A wedding invitation is sent by people who have been saying, "Do we have to ask them?" to people whose first response… — Judith Martin Asks 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
“As successful people are afraid of being used, unsuccessful people are afraid of being snubbed, interesting people want to talk about something… — Judith Martin Boring people Copy Share Image
The dinner table is the center for the teaching and practicing not just of table manners but of conversation, consideration, tolerance, family… — Judith Martin Accomplishment Copy Share Image
First. I began my career as a copy girl. and the White House coverage, for example, was in the then-Women's section. So… — Judith Martin Although 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 People Disagree 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
Perhaps the greatest rudenesses of our time come not from the callousness of strangers, but from the solicitousness of intimates who believe… — Judith Martin Behavior 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
People think, mistakenly, that etiquette means you have to suppress your differences. On the contray, etiquette is what enables you to deal… — Judith Martin Deals 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 Amount 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 Amount Copy Share Image
We are born charming fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society. — Judith Martin Born 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 About 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
Fairness does not consist so much of everybody's doing the same thing, but of everybody's being willing to do something that others… — Judith Martin Doe 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 Amount Copy Share Image
Life is full of wonderful passions that come and go over the years, but the only one that will never let you… — Judith Martin Comes and goes Copy Share Image
Learn graceful ways of saying no and of pointing out that this pressure to do something is not in line with most… — Judith Martin Diplomat Copy Share Image
“The correct British peer would no more dream of using his own title than he would of using his own umbrella, although… — Judith Martin British Peer Copy Share Image
Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open. — Judith Martin Advantage Copy Share Image
Appearing to pay attention when someone is speaking is one of the cornerstones of real social interaction. — Judith Martin Appearing Copy Share Image
Visiting the sick is supposed to exhibit such great virtue that there are some people determined to do it whether the sick… — Judith Martin Determined Copy Share Image
“As if etiquette weren’t magnificently capable of being used to make others feel uncomfortable. All right. Miss Manners will give you an… — Judith Martin Etiquette 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 Different Copy Share Image
It doesn't matter whether the bride or the bridegroom writes the letters of thanks for wedding presents provided that these go out… — Judith Martin Arrivals Copy Share Image
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 Bad man Copy Share Image
“Conversation consists of developing and playing with ideas by juxtaposing the accumulated conclusions of two or more people and then improvising on… — Judith Martin Communication Copy Share Image
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, you may wear white shoes. Not before and not after. As a command, the White Shoe… — Judith Martin Absolutes Copy Share Image
We have the reverse of the Puritan work ethic in America now. No one ever becomes a star by plugging along year… — Judith Martin America Copy Share Image
“College women are typically given to declaring for one or the other (in my day, for marriage; now, generally, for careers), and… — Judith Martin College Copy Share Image
