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Judith Martin

Judith Martin Quotes

Journalist

Judith Martin, known by her pen name Miss Manners, is an American journalist and columnist renowned for her insights into etiquette and social norms. Born on September 13, 1938, she has been writing a etiquette column for The New York Times since 1962, remaining a prominent figure in the public eye to this day.

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Famous Judith Martin Quotes

“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.”

World Way Helping Use Humanity Ordinary Bitter Courtesy Courteous

Book:Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior

Source: Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior

“Sometimes we do things a certain way just because that is the way we do things.”

Way Sometimes Certain Women

Author:Judith Martin

“The way one was brought up isn't an excuse for rude behavior.”

Way Women Behavior Excuse Rude

Author:Judith Martin

“Nowadays, you form your beliefs to fit your behavior, not the other way around.”

Way Form Belief Fit Behavior

Book:Style and substance: a comedy of manners

Source: Style and substance: a comedy of manners

“Shame is the proper reaction when one has purposefully violated the accepted behavior of society. Inflicting it is etiquette's response when its rules are disobeyed. The law has all kinds of nasty ways of retaliating when it is disregarded, but etiquette has only a sense of social shame to deter people from treating others in ways they know are wrong. So naturally Miss Manners wants to maintain the sense of shame. Some forms of discomfort are fully justified, and the person who feels shame ought to be dealing with removing its causes rather than seeking to relieve the symptoms.”

Source: Miss Manners Rescues Civilization: From Sexual Harassment, Frivolous Lawsuits, Dissing, and Other Lapses in Civility

“many of the guests will eventually leave the table to watch football on television, which would be a rudeness at any other occasion but is a relief at Thanksgiving and probably the only way to get those people to budge.”

People Way Would Be Watches Television Football Tables Occasions Relief Guests Thanksgiving Rudeness

Author:Judith Martin

“Learn graceful ways of saying no and of pointing out that this pressure to do something is not in line with most people's wishes.”

People Way Wish Lines Pressure Pointing Saying No

Author:Judith Martin

“The invention of the teenager was a mistake. Once you identify a period of life in which people get to stay out late but don't have to pay taxes - naturally, no one wants to live any other way.”

People Way Want Inspirational Children Pay Mistake Growing Up Periods Taxes Late Humorous Parenting Invention Teenager Teens Adolescence Being A Teenager

Author:Judith Martin

“You can deny all you want that there is etiquette, and a lot of people do in everyday life. But if you behave in a way that offends the people you're trying to deal with, they will stop dealing with you...There are plenty of people who say, 'We don't care about etiquette, but we can't stand the way so-and-so behaves, and we don't want him around!' Etiquette doesn't have the great sanctions that the law has. But the main sanction we do have is in not dealing with these people and isolating them because their behavior is unbearable.”

People Ifs Way Want Trying Care Law Deals Behavior Everyday Don't Care Deny Plenty Behave Everyday Life Unbearable Etiquette Sanctions Want Him

Author:Judith Martin

“Miss Manners herself, while never rude, is given to pulling a fast pinch in the way of a handshake on those who believe in kissing on, not even the first date, but the first sighting.”

Way Firsts Believe Given Missing Kissing Manners Pulling Rude First Kiss First Date Handshake Miss Manners

Author:Judith Martin

“The only way to enjoy the fun of catching people behaving disgustingly is to have children. One has to keep having them, however, because it is incorrect to correct grown people, even if you have grown them yourself.”

People Ifs Way Children Fun Enjoy Behavior Catching

Book:Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior

Source: Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior