"If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn't need to have the rest of the universities attached."
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Quote collection
Judith Martin quotes (page 7 of 8)
144 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"What restricts the use of the word 'lady' among the courteous is that it is intended to set a woman apart from ordinary humanity, and in the working world that is not a help, as women have discovered in many bitter ways."
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"The more skillful the performance of false cheer, the more pleasing the effect is upon one's public and on that private audience to whom one owes even more."
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"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."
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"Appearing to pay attention when someone is speaking is one of the cornerstones of real social interaction."
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"Visiting the sick is supposed to exhibit such great virtue that there are some people determined to do it whether the sick like it or not. ... All visitors everywhere are supposed to make plans to depart if they observe their hosts visibly wilting or in pain, but this is especially true at hospitals."
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"A wedding invitation is sent by people who have been saying, "Do we have to ask them?" to people whose first response is, "How much do you think we have to spend on them?"
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"It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it."
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"Miss Manners does not mind explaining the finer points of gracious living, but she feels that anyone without the sense to pick up a potato chip and stuff it in their face should probably not be running around loose on the streets."
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"Nowadays, you form your beliefs to fit your behavior, not the other way around."
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"When you consider how epidemic boredom is in our time, you have to concede that entertaining is a healing art."
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"Washington knows that it is not safe to kick people who are down until you find out what their next stop will be."
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"It doesn't matter whether the bride or the bridegroom writes the letters of thanks for wedding presents provided that these go out immediately after the arrival of each present and are not in the handwriting of the bride's mother."
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"Knowing that others have gone through similar tragedies may be a help, but it should be remembered that every tragedy is not only commonplace but also unique."
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"The challenge of manners is not so much to be nice to someone whose favor and/or person you covet (although more people need to be reminded of that necessity than one would suppose) as to be exposed to the bad manners of others without imitating them."
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"Nowadays people consider it a disgrace to admit that they are not stressed."
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"Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open."
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"The truly essential bargain between host and guest requires the guest only to respond promptly, show up on time, socialize with other guests, thank the host, write additional thanks and reciprocate. You needn't bring anything."
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"People will say, 'Seventy isn't old, it's middle-aged,' and I think, middle of what - 140?"
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"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."
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