the obligation to express gratitude deepens with procrastination. The longer you wait, the more effusive must be the thanks.
Judith MartinWhen 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.
Judith MartinWhen you consider how epidemic boredom is in our time, you have to concede that entertaining is a healing art.
Judith MartinPeople say when you're in love, you don't need etiquette. Well, you need it then more than anything. Or they say, "At home I can just be myself." What they mean is they can be their worst selves... They always mean they will save all their anxiety about how to behave for somebody like the head waiter of a restaurant, someone they'll never see again.
Judith Martin