Quotes About Manners

the chief ends of conversation are to inform or to be informed, to please or to persuade, I wish well-meaning, sensible men would not lessen their power of doing good by a positive, assuming manner, that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create opposition, and to defeat everyone of those purposes for which speech was given to us, to wit, giving or receiving information or pleasure.

He had been brought up to it from a boy, his father, as I have heard, accustoming his children to dispute with one another for his diversion, while sitting at table after dinner; but I think the practice was not wise; for, in the course of my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.

But one does not dress for private company as for a public ball.

Good manners: The noise you don't make when you're eating soup.

To refuse graciously is to confer a favor.

Nothing ruins the flow of conversation more quickly than refusing a compliment you have just received. Never disagree with something nice that is said to you or about you.

House guests should be regarded as perishables: Leave them out too long and they go bad.

Particularly when it comes to the regulatory environment, being a jerk doesn't actually get you very far.

I pride myself on being courteous to people, and trying to fashion good relations.

There is no myth relative to the manners and customs of the English that in my experience is more tenaciously held by the ordinary Frenchman than that the sale of a wife in the market-place is an habitual and an accepted fact in English life.

People in England have a lot of respect. It is relaxed here.

If a man holds a door open for me or pulls back a chair so that this old bag can sit down, I'm delighted.

The locale does not determine the dress code; the host does.

People do not use foul language in the House of Commons chamber. They just don't do it, and I don't, either.

I think I was brought up in a respectful household.

I think kids in France, and certainly in my household, don't necessarily stop interrupting when you tell them, but they gradually become more aware of other people, and that means that you can have the expectation of finishing a conversation.

We don't have butlers. Obviously we have people who look after the houses, but I try not to run things formally.

As a human being, you know that there are some days when you'd rather not talk to anybody - but I can't really do that anymore without appearing rude.

I dreamed my way into Lincoln and the details that moved me - his lack of education or 'civilized' manners and his deep connection to all humankind.

Coutinho is a humble guy.

I was taught to be respectful and humble as a boy, and especially not arrogant.

I just want my daughter to be respectful and nice to people. I want her to understand the importance of being humble.

My thank-yous always come out rather labored. I often don't give them at all. People do what they're supposed to do and then wait for you to pile on the appreciation -- they're like frozen-yogurt employees who put out cups for tips.

Another time-honored ploy: A woman is less likely to throw you out if she's offered her hospitality. If you have allergies or a cold, asking for a tissue is even better. Women love vulnerability. Most women.