When Virtues Are Pointed Out First, Flaws

Like Language, A Code Of Manners Can Be Used With More Or Less Skill, For Laudable Or For Evil Purposes, To Express A Great Variety Of Ideas And Emotions. In Itself, It Carries No Moral Value, But Ignorance In Use Of This Tool Is Not A Sign Of Virtue.

Appearing To Pay Attention When Someone Is Speaking Is One Of The Cornerstones Of Real Social Interaction.

It Has Always Puzzled Me, In My Business, That People Think They Have To Answer Questions, No Matter How Disagreeable Or Dangerous, Just Because They Were Asked. Of Course, We Journalists Would Be Out Of Business If They Didn't.

It Is Said That Dispensing Advice Is Easy. What Is Difficult Is Getting Anyone To Listen To It.

Yes, Etiquette Is Hypocritical. Yes, It Does Inhibit Children - If You're Lucky. But The Idea That It's Elitist And Irrelevant Is Like Saying Language Is Elitist And Irrelevant.