Judith Martin
Judith Martin
Judith Martin, better known by the pen name Miss Manners, is an American journalist, author, and etiquette authority...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionJournalist
Date of Birth13 September 1938
CountryUnited States of America
I try to behave myself, and I succeed.
american-author born civilized fit fresh
We are all born charming, fresh and spontaneous, and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.
irritation law people
Etiquette enables you to resolve conflict without just trading insults. Without etiquette, the irritations in modern life are so abrasive that you see people turning to the law to regulate everyday behavior. This frightens me; it's a major inroad on our basic freedoms.
changed couple last people
Over the last couple of decades, the personalization of the office changed dramatically... there's an informality people often take for the absence of rules - which it's not.
children handicap lack respect saying sit tremendous understand
Children should acknowledge other people, saying 'hello,' 'good morning,' 'goodbye'. They should understand that there are times to sit down and be quiet. That's a prerequisite for school. They also need a respect for authority, the lack of which is a tremendous handicap in school.
etiquette general gentle ignore rule
Gentle reader: Yes, the thing to do is to ignore it. A general rule of etiquette is that one apologizes for the unfortunate occurrence, but the unthinkable is unmentionable
ability belief best blind change course legislate respect weigh
I am a traditionalist, and I'm an innovator. Most of what I do is to weigh change and legislate to the best of my ability on what should change and what should not. Do I have a respect for tradition? Of course I do. Do I have a blind belief in it? No.
people manners plastic
People who put slipcovers, doilies, plastic protectors, and cellophane on everything good that they own rarely live to see an occasion so good that all these covers are removed.
apology apologizing etiquette
A general rule of etiquette is that one apologizes for the unfortunate occurrence, but the unthinkable is unmentionable.
believe kissing rude
Miss Manners herself, while never rude, is given to pulling a fast pinch in the way of a handshake on those who believe in kissing on, not even the first date, but the first sighting.
children ideas doe
Yes, etiquette is hypocritical. Yes, it does inhibit children - if you're lucky. But the idea that it's elitist and irrelevant is like saying language is elitist and irrelevant.
class america three
There are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class.
men feminist upset
A lot of men got upset at the feminist movement because they had all the toys and we wanted some.
friends good-friend helping
There is nothing like a good friend to help you out when you are not in trouble.