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 Anxiety 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 Bags 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 Carrie Copy Share Image
“It was generally believed that what people needed to get along was love and communication skills. Even business colleagues were thought to… — Judith Martin Business Copy Share Image
What restricts the use of the word 'lady' among the courteous is that it is intended to set a woman apart from… — Judith Martin Bitter Copy Share Image
many of the guests will eventually leave the table to watch football on television, which would be a rudeness at any other… — Judith Martin Football Copy Share Image
Screening telephone calls with a receptionist or the humbler answering machine is not a dishonorable thing to do. The warmest people in… — Judith Martin Answering machines Copy Share Image
It has always puzzled me, in my business, that people think they have to answer questions, no matter how disagreeable or dangerous,… — Judith Martin Answers Copy Share Image
She only maintains that it is possible, under some circumstances, for a lady to murder her husband; but that a woman who… — Judith Martin Ankles 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 Activity 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 Acceptable 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 Chips Copy Share Image
. . . women were brought up to have only one set of manners. A woman was either a lady or she… — Judith Martin Boys 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 Accepted Copy Share Image
I am a traditionalist, and I'm an innovator. Most of what I do is to weigh change and legislate to the best… — Judith Martin Ability Copy Share Image
Chaperons don't enforce morality; they force immorality to be discreet. — Judith Martin Character Copy Share Image
You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter. — Judith Martin Attention Copy Share Image
The most conventional statements are both true and welcome. — Judith Martin Conventional 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 Despicable Copy Share Image
When someone has tried to please you, it is rude, as well as disheartening, to respond by announcing that the effort was… — Judith Martin Announcing Copy Share Image
There are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class. — Judith Martin America 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
When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can't live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed. — Judith Martin Abandon 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 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
Knowing that others have gone through similar tragedies may be a help, but it should be remembered that every tragedy is not… — Judith Martin Commonplace Copy Share Image
The invention of the teenager was a mistake. Once you identify a period of life in which people get to stay out… — Judith Martin Children 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 Believe Copy Share Image
'Honesty' in social life is often used as a cover for rudeness. But there is quite a difference between being candid in… — Judith Martin Candid Copy Share Image
It is a widespread and firm belief among guests that their departure is always a matter of distress to their hosts, and… — Judith Martin Belief 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
Indeed, Miss Manners has come to believe that the basic political division in this country is not between liberals and conservatives but… — Judith Martin Believe Copy Share Image
“Miss Manners remembers who should be introduced to whom, but then she also remembers the difference between “who” and “whom.” The formula… — Judith Martin Manners 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 Argument 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
Email is very informal, a memo. But I find that not signing off or not having a salutation bothers me. — Judith Martin Bother Copy Share Image
