One should not be assigned one's identity in society by the job slot one happens to fill. If we truly believe in the dignity of labor, any task can be performed with equal pride because none can demean the basic dignity of a human being.

There are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class.

Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without a comment is a wonderful social grace ... Children who have the habit of constantly correcting should be stopped before they grow up to drive spouses and everyone else crazy by interrupting stories to say, 'No, dear -- it was Tuesday, not Wednesday.

Yes, etiquette is hypocritical. Yes, it does inhibit children - if you're lucky. But the idea that it's elitist and irrelevant is like saying language is elitist and irrelevant.

It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right.

Protocol is etiquette with a government expense account.

Washington knows that it is not safe to kick people who are down until you find out what their next stop will be.