Quotes About Manners

What a tiresome custom that is, by the by - one among the many sources of factitious annoyance of this ultra civilised life. If the gentlemen must lead the ladies into the dining-room, why cannot they take those they like best?

If you are going to refuse, do so at once, but remember that a dinner once accepted is a sacred obligation. If you die before the dinner takes place, your executor must attend the dinner

He had beautiful manners. Which, if you ask me, was mostly a question of saying nothing, to anyone, ever.

I come from the sort of family in which, at the age of ten, I was told I must always say hoi polloi , never the hoi polloi , because hoi meant the, and two the's were redundant -- indeed something only hoi polloi would say.

Only the language of civilized people may be spoken, thus no German.

Little children, such as Anne, must never, ever correct their elders, no matter how many blunders they make or how often they let their imaginations run away with them.

to get back to the subject of raising children, yesterday a silence fell after Mrs. van D. finished her little speech. Father then replied, "I think Anne is very well brought up. At least she's learned not to respond to your interminable sermons. As far as the vegetables are concerned, all I have to say is look who's calling the kettle black." Mrs.

How did you ask a man, Oh, by the way, did you ask me to marry you the other day or were you merely suggesting I become your mistress? Formality was the key to surviving this, she hoped.

The duke arched an eyebrow. "She is not one of your…er…" Gideon laughed again. "Oh, good Lord, no, she is not one of my ers.

Rule 1: When all else fails, follow instructions. And Rule 2: Don't be an asshole.

It is not appropriate for ladies to speak too much at table," she explained. "They should listen, respond appropriately, and ask after interests, welfare, and so on. If a gentleman wishes to talk, and usually they do, you listen as if fascinated, and never ask questions to which you suspect he does not know the answer.

Never, in any circumstance, should you raise your voice, or try to assert your opinions in the hearing of gentlemen, and do not attempt to appear clever or strong-minded; it is dangerous, and makes them extremely uncomfortable.

Amazing what the British do with language; the nuances of politeness. The world's great diplomats, surely.

He was appropriately horrified and gave me a reproving glance, as if to say you needn't have told me that! But he was far too polite to say a word.

You know why I like to talk to you, Delia? You never interrupt with your experiences. Not jiggling your foot till you get a chance to jump in with your life history.

In my country they have proverb: 'Beware against the sweet person, for sugar has no nutrition.' " This was intriguing. Kate said, "Well, in my country they say that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Never, ever, under any circumstances apply lipstick while at the table.

Because if you're going to do someone a favor, her father used to tell her, you might as well do it graciously.

someone who doesn't say please or thank you or smile when you'd expect him to and thinks 'How are you?' means 'How are you?' and stands too close to people when he talks and never tells them, 'I think maybe perhaps such-and-such,' but always, flat-out, 'You are wrong,' and 'This is bad,' and 'She is stupid'; no shades of gray, all black and white and 'What I say goes.'

If you can't say something nice,' " Jason mumbled, " 'don't say nothing at all.'

And Saturday night they come over and he's polite as can be all evening. And Sunday morning he walks out, and him and her move in together.

My compliments, Alek said slowly and evenly. Your contempt was most convincing. I am your servant.

If you appreciate a gift, consider saying, "thank you and . . .

Shut up, sit down, and read. (Tory) Please? (Acheron) You need something? (Tory) You to be polite to me, Ms. I Own The World- Now Do What I Say You Pathetic Pleb. (Acheron) You don't strike me as the kind of guy who takes orders anyway. (Tory) Yes, but a simple please goes a long way. I'm the one doing you a favor here. (Acheron) Fine. Please sit down, shut up, and read. (Tory)