Judith Martin
Judith Martin
Judith Martin, better known by the pen name Miss Manners, is an American journalist, author, and etiquette authority...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionJournalist
Date of Birth13 September 1938
CountryUnited States of America
american-author born civilized fit fresh
We are all born charming, fresh and spontaneous, and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.
etiquette general gentle ignore rule
Gentle reader: Yes, the thing to do is to ignore it. A general rule of etiquette is that one apologizes for the unfortunate occurrence, but the unthinkable is unmentionable
although began copy house rather social white
First. I began my career as a copy girl. and the White House coverage, for example, was in the then-Women's section. So it was social coverage. It wasn't news, although we often got rather startling news out of it.
ability belief best blind change course legislate respect weigh
I am a traditionalist, and I'm an innovator. Most of what I do is to weigh change and legislate to the best of my ability on what should change and what should not. Do I have a respect for tradition? Of course I do. Do I have a blind belief in it? No.
honesty women alternatives
Dishonesty is not the only alternative to honesty. There is also the highly underrated virtue of shutting up.
precious-stones breakfast mixtures
It is wrong to wear diamonds before luncheon, except on one’s marriage rings. Before, after, and during breakfast, luncheon and dinner, it is vulgar to wear a mixture of colored precious stones. It is always a comfort to know that so many things one can’t afford to do anyway are vulgar.
honesty needs rooms
Honesty is a virtue, but not the only one. If you're in a courtroom you need the whole truth and nothing but the truth; in the living room, sometimes you need anything but. Often.
father party important
Precision marching is less important for the bridal party than maintaining the proper facial expresssions: The bridegroom must look awed; the bridesmaids, happy and excited; the father of the bride, proud; and the bride, demure. If the bridegroom feels doubtful, the bridesmaids, sulky, the father, worried, and the bride, blasé, nobody wants to know.
honesty mean insulting
Honesty has come to mean the privilege of insulting you to your face without expecting redress.
irritation law people
Etiquette enables you to resolve conflict without just trading insults. Without etiquette, the irritations in modern life are so abrasive that you see people turning to the law to regulate everyday behavior. This frightens me; it's a major inroad on our basic freedoms.
rebirth good-place greece
Greece is a good place for rebirths.
advice easy said
It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it.
honesty smart ducks
Smart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you.
consideration manners humans
Manners require showing consideration of all human beings, not just the ones to whom one is close.