The stress of making small talk with in-laws is called being part of a family. — Judith Martin Family 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 Copy Share Image
Manners require showing consideration of all human beings, not just the ones to whom one is close. — Judith Martin Consideration Copy Share Image
Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without comment is a wonderful social grace. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one. — Judith Martin New technology 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 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
“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
“Miss Manners fails to understand why philanthropists would turn from the needy to the greedy, but she is not in the business… — Judith Martin Business Copy Share Image
The more skillful the performance of false cheer, the more pleasing the effect is upon one's public and on that private audience… — Judith Martin Audience 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
My children did not go through a stage of being rude to their parents. I'm sorry if that sounds incredible. — Judith Martin Being 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
What we have come to, through a combination of popular psychology and expanding technology, is a presumption that all our thoughts and… — Judith Martin 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 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 only way to enjoy the fun of catching people behaving disgustingly is to have children. One has to keep having them,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“As dear Erasmus said, “It is part of the highest civility if, while never erring yourself, you ignore the errors of others.”… — Judith Martin Civility Copy Share Image
“How do you do?” depending on the formality of the occasion, and whether you can count on the other person to understand… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The truly essential bargain between host and guest requires the guest only to respond promptly, show up on time, socialize with other… — Judith Martin Bargains 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 Apology Copy Share Image
It is not rude to turn off your telephone by switching it on to an answering machine, which is cheaper and less… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help. — Judith Martin Good qualities 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
It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it. — Judith Martin Advice Copy Share Image
Sometimes we do things a certain way just because that is the way we do things. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Being listened to should be sufficiently gratifying in itself, whether or not the advice is followed. — Judith Martin Advice Copy Share Image
When virtues are pointed out first, flaws seem less insurmountable. — Judith Martin Character Copy Share Image
Only a person who considers himself too good for you is good enough. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
You think death is any better an excuse for desertion than any other? — Judith Martin Death Copy Share Image
You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter. — Judith Martin Attention Copy Share Image
The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this. — Judith Martin Busybodies Copy Share Image
The way one was brought up isn't an excuse for rude behavior. — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
The underlying principles of manners- respect, fairness, and congeniality. — Judith Martin Congeniality Copy Share Image
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. — Judith Martin Character Copy Share Image
Presents are symbolic. When you give them in your personal life, they should show that you are paying attention to the person… — Judith Martin Attention Copy Share Image
“In general desirability, a child-free environment is considered somewhere between smoke-free and germ-free. Miss” — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Honesty is a virtue, but not the only one. If you're in a courtroom you need the whole truth and nothing but… — Judith Martin Courtroom Copy Share Image
