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
people mouths villain
Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open.
women humility trials
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right.
selling-things relaxation cyberspace
One of the big no-nos in cyberspace is that you do not go into a social activity, a chat group or something like that, and start advertising or selling things. This etiquette rule is an attempt to separate one's social life, which should be pure enjoyment and relaxation, from the pressures of work.
people mind insult
When people start hurling insults at you, you know their minds are closed and there's no point in debating. You disengage yourself as quickly as possible from the situation.
order missing logic
Whamming someone smaller than oneself in order to teach that person civilized behavior is not within Miss Manners' concept of propriety, much less logic.
technology thinking people
Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one.
people wish lines
Learn graceful ways of saying no and of pointing out that this pressure to do something is not in line with most people's wishes.
want doe fairness
Fairness does not consist so much of everybody's doing the same thing, but of everybody's being willing to do something that others don't want to do.
email bother memos
Email is very informal, a memo. But I find that not signing off or not having a salutation bothers me.
children parent tone
Parents should conduct their arguments in quiet, respectful tones, but in a foreign language. You'd be surprised what an inducement that is to the education of children.
sex revenge children
If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you have is grand opera.
fool email postcards
For email, the old postcard rule applies. Nobody else is supposed to read your postcards, but you'd be a fool if you wrote anything private on one.
silly civilization rude
GENTLE READER: You, sir, are an anarchist, and Miss Manners is frightened to have anything to do with you. It is true that questioning the table manners of others is rude. But to overthrow the accepted conventions of society, on the flimsy grounds that you have found them silly, inefficient and discomforting, is a dangerous step toward destroying civilization.
giving-up believe men
Nobody believes that the man who says, 'Look, lady, you wanted equality,' to explain why he won't give up his seat to a pregnant woman carrying three grocery bags, a briefcase, and a toddler is seized with the symbolism of idealism.