Quotes About Etiquette

The natural world is a culture of vigilance based on carefully tended relationships and connections, maintained through recognition, mutual respect, and "jungle etiquette" that in the end preserves the baseline and conserves energy.

In French, as in other romance languages, speakers are forced to choose whether they'll address someone using the respectful form (vous) or the familiar form (tu). Even English, which doesn't embed status into verb conjugations, embeds it elsewhere. Until recently, Americans addressed strangers and superiors using title plus last name (Mrs. Smith, Dr. Jones), whereas intimates and subordinates were called by first name.

If you've ever felt a flash of distaste when a salesperson called you by first name without being invited to do so, or if you felt a pang of awkwardness when an older person you have long revered asked you to call him by first name, then you have experienced the activation of some of the modules that comprise the Authority/subversion foundation.

If you'd blush saying something in person, don't write it.

Pardon me, Highness, a women waits whithout." "Whithout what?

In Swindon, if you pick your nose in public, they lock you in the can.

Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best bred in the room.

Conversation is but carving!Give no more to every guestThan he's able to digest.Give him always of the prime,And but little at a time.Carve to all but just enough,Let them neither starve nor stuff,And that you may have your due,Let your neighbor carve for you.

A footman may swear; but he cannot swear like a lord. He can swear as often: but can he swear with equal delicacy, propriety, and judgment?

One of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish had been left unsaid.

Nothing is less important than which fork you use. Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics. It is honor.

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use.

To do exactly as your neighbors do is the only sensible rule.

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.

Good manners reflect something from inside-an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self.

A gentleman does not boast about his junk.

Etiquette requires the presumption of good until the contrary is proved.

There is little you can do about the annoying speech mannerisms of others, but there is a lot you can do about your own.

Who does not dislike a "boneless" hand extended as though it were a spray of sea-weed, or a miniature boiled pudding?

Whenever two people come together and their behavior affects one another, you have etiquette.

Consideration for the rights and feelings of others is not merely a rule for behavior in public but the very foundation upon which social life is built.

Keep your hands to yourself!" might almost be put at the head of the first chapter of every book on etiquette.

The only extra plates ever permitted are the bread and butter plates which are put on at breakfast and lunch and supper above and to the left of the forks, but never at dinner.

One thing is certain, no novice should ever begin her social career by attempting a formal dinner, any more than a pupil swimmer, upon being able to take three strokes alone, should attempt to swim three miles out to sea.