Manners Quote by Judith Martin
““Miss Manners corrects only upon request. Then she does it from a distance, with no names attached, and no personal relationship, however distant, between the corrector and the correctee. She does not search out errors like a policeman leaping out of a speed trap. When Miss Manners observes people behaving rudely, she behaves politely to them, and then goes home and snickers about them afterward.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Miss Manners’ Guide to Etiquette, 1990
Manners correct from a distance, avoiding personal confrontation, and then privately mock the offenders.
In simple terms: Manners intervene politely, then mock later.
Key Takeaway
Maintain civility while addressing rudeness.
Themes
etiquette
politeness
social correction
hypocrisy
Mood
sarcastic
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- online comments
- customer service
Key Concepts
public decorum
private judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ethical to correct then ridicule?
- How can you stay consistent in etiquette?
A Different Perspective
Mocking undermines genuine courtesy.
