We are born charming, fresh, and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.

We are born charming, fresh, and spontaneous, and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.

Parents should conduct their arguments in quiet, respectful tones, and in a foreign language. You'd be surprised what an inducement that is to the education of children.

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

There was no singles problem until singles got so single-minded that they stopped wasting time with anyone ineligible.

Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without comment is a wonderful social grace.

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

Being polite does not mean being mummified.

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.

Miss Manners’ meager arsenal consists only of the withering look, the insistent and repeated request, the cold voice, the report up the chain of command and the tilted nose. They generally work.