The rationale that etiquette should be eschewed because it fosters inequality does not ring true in a society that openly admits to a feverish interest in the comparative status-conveying qualities of sneakers. Manners are available to all, for free.

It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it.

The whole country wants civility. Why don't we have it? It doesn't cost anything. No federal funding, no legislation is involved. One answer is the unwillingness to restrain oneself. Everybody wants other people to be polite to them, but they want the freedom of not having to be polite to others.

Adorable children are considered to be the general property of the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers.

Honesty has come to mean the privilege of insulting you to your face without expecting redress.

the obligation to express gratitude deepens with procrastination. The longer you wait, the more effusive must be the thanks.

The only way to enjoy the fun of catching people behaving disgustingly is to have children. One has to keep having them, however, because it is incorrect to correct grown people, even if you have grown them yourself.