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.
Judith MartinPeople will say, 'Seventy isn't old, it's middle-aged,' and I think, middle of what - 140?
Judith MartinLearn graceful ways of saying no and of pointing out that this pressure to do something is not in line with most people's wishes.
Judith MartinMost people who work at home find they do not have the benefit of receptionists who serve as personal guards
Judith MartinThe dinner table is the center for the teaching and practicing not just of table manners but of conversation, consideration, tolerance, family feeling, and just about all the other accomplishments of polite society except the minuet.
Judith MartinFrom Memorial Day to Labor Day, you may wear white shoes. Not before and not after. As a command, the White Shoe Edict should be clear and simple enough. Do not violate it. In a society in which everything else has become relative, a matter of how it makes you feel, a question between you and your conscience, and an opportunity for you to be really you, this is an absolute.
Judith Martin