Etiquette does not render you defenseless. If it did, even I wouldn't subscribe to it. But rudeness in retaliation for rudeness just doubles the amount of rudeness in the world. Judith Martin amountdefenselessdouble Change image and share on social
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. Judith Martin begincareercopy share on social
When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can't live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed. Judith Martin abandonbehaviorideal Change image and share on social
Most people who work at home find they do not have the benefit of receptionists who serve as personal guards. Judith Martin benefitfindguard Change image and share on social
My children did not go through a stage of being rude to their parents. I'm sorry if that sounds incredible. Judith Martin childincredibleparent Change image and share on social
I make a distinction between manners and etiquette - manners as the principles, which are eternal and universal, etiquette as the particular rules which are arbitrary and different in different times, different situations, different cultures. Judith Martin arbitraryculturedistinction share on social
Etiquette is all human social behavior. If you're a hermit on a mountain, you don't have to worry about etiquette; if somebody comes up the mountain, then you've got a problem. It matters because we want to live in reasonably harmonious communities. Judith Martin behaviorcommunityetiquette share on social
We're now seeing email that people thought they had deleted showing up as evidence in court. You can't erase email. As that becomes more commonly realized, people will be a little wiser about what they type. Judith Martin commonlycourtdelete share on social
The language of clothing is high symbolism and we all, in moments where we need to know this, realize it. Judith Martin clthehighlanguage Change image and share on social
