--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No matter how well you know the rules of…" description: "\"No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.\" — Don Rittner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg" --- # No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you… ![“No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.” quote by Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg) > “No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.” [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even with knowledge of etiquette, misunderstandings happen; be patient and clarify. **In simple terms:** Even experts offend online. Key Takeaway Communicate clearly and patiently. Themes communication etiquette online behavior Mood cautious empathetic Type advice reflective When to use this quote - social media - forums - email - customer service Key Concepts sociology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you recover after an accidental offense? - What strategies improve online clarity? A Different Perspective Online tone can be misread despite good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Etiquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etiquette/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) ## Related quotes > [“the key: at least in the body of Christ, never presume that someone intended to offend you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-riccardo/the-key-at-least-in-the-body-of-christ-never-presume-that-someone/) [John Riccardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-riccardo/) > [We should never intentionally offend, but if you follow Jesus, you will offend religious people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrin-patrick/we-should-never-intentionally-offend-but-if-you-follow-jesus-you-will/) [Darrin Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrin-patrick/) > [“Leaders create influence with the clays of criticism others throw at them. They don't take offence; they take corrections.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/leaders-create-influence-with-the-clays-of-criticism-others-throw-at/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [To speak and to offend is with some people but one and the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/to-speak-and-to-offend-is-with-some-people-but-one-and-the-same-thing/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [“To know if someone can speak offensively or politely, don’t give him poem to recite; don’t give him a song to sing. Just engage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/to-know-if-someone-can-speak-offensively-or-politely-don-t-give-him/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I'd rather entertain people than offend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kinison/i-d-rather-entertain-people-than-offend-them/) [Sam Kinison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kinison/) > [“If a couple of gay guys want to throw the gayest, most fabulous wedding of all time, the only way it should offend you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orlando-winters/if-a-couple-of-gay-guys-want-to-throw-the-gayest-most-fabulous/) [Orlando Winters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orlando-winters/) > [It may offend us to hear our own thoughts expressed by others: we are not sure enough of their souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/it-may-offend-us-to-hear-our-own-thoughts-expressed-by-others-we-are/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [Fear God, and offend not the Prince nor his laws, and keep thyself out of the magistrate's claws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-tusser/fear-god-and-offend-not-the-prince-nor-his-laws-and-keep-thyself-out/) [Thomas Tusser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-tusser/) > [I think the biggest insult, the worst way you can offend a Mexican, is to insult their mother. A mother is the most sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emiliano-salinas/i-think-the-biggest-insult-the-worst-way-you-can-offend-a-mexican-is/) [Emiliano Salinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emiliano-salinas/) > [“Offence is like muddy soil; when trapped underfoot, it resists rapid progress. Don't trap offences under your mind, else you resist change! Jesus said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/offence-is-like-muddy-soil-when-trapped-underfoot-it-resists-rapid/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [People ask could I have written the show I wrote in 1990 now, and I don't think I could. I think it's much easier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-saunders/people-ask-could-i-have-written-the-show-i-wrote-in-1990-now-and-i/) [Jennifer Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-saunders/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“I didn't mean to offend," he quickly adds. "Then, what exactly did you mean to say?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dhonielle-clayton/i-didn-t-mean-to-offend-he-quickly-adds-then-what-exactly-did-you/) [Dhonielle Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dhonielle-clayton/) > [If a situation came about something that would offend someone culturally, I would definitely speak up. WWE would want us to speak up because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jinder-mahal/if-a-situation-came-about-something-that-would-offend-someone/) [Jinder Mahal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jinder-mahal/) ## More by Don Rittner > [Digital wisdom is made of recycled electrons that are meaningful until you pull the plug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/digital-wisdom-is-made-of-recycled-electrons-that-are-meaningful/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [A Leader is someone who can do everything him(her)self, but let's other people help him(her).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/a-leader-is-someone-who-can-do-everything-him-her-self-but-let-s/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [“I speak two languages: English and Sarcasm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/i-speak-two-languages-english-and-sarcasm/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [Civility is only a passenger - not a driver - on the information superhighway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/civility-is-only-a-passenger-not-a-driver-on-the-information/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [Rittner's Computer Law: Never argue with people who write with digital ink and pay by the kilowatt-hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/rittner-s-computer-law-never-argue-with-people-who-write-with-digital/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [Most computer users don't think about backing up their software until the day they lose it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/most-computer-users-don-t-think-about-backing-up-their-software-until/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [Trying to save ecosystems has more to do with changing egosystems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/trying-to-save-ecosystems-has-more-to-do-with-changing-egosystems/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [There are 5,000 great people for every jerk on Usenet. But that still is a lot of jerks. Proceed with caution and eyes wide open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/there-are-5-000-great-people-for-every-jerk-on-usenet-but-that-still/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [The Net is the ultimate empowerment tool. You have the right to express your opinion to a global audience, but everyone has the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/the-net-is-the-ultimate-empowerment-tool-you-have-the-right-to/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [History is an intricate web of of timing, people, circumstances, and serendipity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/history-is-an-intricate-web-of-of-timing-people-circumstances-and/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) > [I've been told by certain politicians that I'm a loose cannon. I'm not! I aim very carefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/i-ve-been-told-by-certain-politicians-that-i-m-a-loose-cannon-i-m-not/) [Don Rittner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) [Explore all 12 Don Rittner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/) ## More Etiquette quotes > [Humility simply means that you do a great job at everything and it isn't really a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/humility-simply-means-that-you-do-a-great-job-at-everything-and-it/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Nothing more rapidly inclines a person to go into a monastery than reading a book on etiquette. There are so many trivial ways in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/nothing-more-rapidly-inclines-a-person-to-go-into-a-monastery-than/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [The Australian Book of Etiquette is a very slim volume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-australian-book-of-etiquette-is-a-very-slim-volume/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Any individual is capable of realizing the truth at any time. No tradition is necessary, no chain, no lineage. Once you have realized the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/any-individual-is-capable-of-realizing-the-truth-at-any-time-no/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [What is important in self-discovery is the person who keeps going, who has a smile, who is kind to others, who works hard at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/what-is-important-in-self-discovery-is-the-person-who-keeps-going-who/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [There is a strange taboo in our society against ending something merely because it is not pleasant-- life, love, a conversation, you name it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-dewitt/there-is-a-strange-taboo-in-our-society-against-ending-something/) [Helen DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-dewitt/) > [Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-post/manners-are-a-sensitive-awareness-of-the-feelings-of-others/) [Emily Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-post/) > [Do not feel that you are destined not to make that final liberation in this life. This is egotism in a reverse form. Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/do-not-feel-that-you-are-destined-not-to-make-that-final-liberation/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“When you know you can do something, and you feel good about yourself, you do not have to devalue others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-hickey/when-you-know-you-can-do-something-and-you-feel-good-about-yourself/) John Patrick Hickey > [Your mantrum is the awareness of the dream - to enjoy and appreciate and have gratitude for all; neither to condemn nor to liberate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/your-mantrum-is-the-awareness-of-the-dream-to-enjoy-and-appreciate/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“A token of bathroom stoner etiquette.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/a-token-of-bathroom-stoner-etiquette/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“ Redneck Rules of Etiquette • To avoid bruising wine as you decant it, make sure to tilt the paper cup. • Your centerpiece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/redneck-rules-of-etiquette-to-avoid-bruising-wine-as-you-decant-it/) [Deborah Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) > [An enlightened teacher simply expresses enlightenment in their life by living. It is the student's job to gain the teachings. The teacher's job is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/an-enlightened-teacher-simply-expresses-enlightenment-in-their-life/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Traditional values are not gone. They are good netiquette.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chiles/traditional-values-are-not-gone-they-are-good-netiquette/) [David Chiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chiles/) > [It is very important to always hold the thought of an enlightened teacher in your mind in a very positive way. When you direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-is-very-important-to-always-hold-the-thought-of-an-enlightened/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) [Browse all 364 Etiquette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etiquette/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Don Rittner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of-netiquette-you-will/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Etiquette" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of-netiquette-you-will/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/736/don-rittner-37483_etiquette_no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of_2782551.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.” — Don Rittner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Don Rittner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rittner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "No matter how well you know...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of-netiquette-you-will/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rittner/no-matter-how-well-you-know-the-rules-of-netiquette-you-will/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```