Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without comment is a wonderful social grace.

It has always puzzled me, in my business, that people think they have to answer questions, no matter how disagreeable or dangerous, just because they were asked. Of course, we journalists would be out of business if they didn't.

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.

To sacrifice the principles of manners, which require compassion and respect, and bat people over the head with their ignorance of etiquette rules they cannot be expected to know is both bad manners and poor etiquette. That social climbers and twits have misused etiquette throughout history should not be used as an argument for doing away with it.

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.

Society cannot exist without etiquette ... It never has, and until our own century, everybody knew that.

Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open.