Appearing To Pay Attention When

It Is One Of Miss Manners's Great Discoveries That One Needn't Contradict Others In Order To Set Them Straight.

There Was No Singles Problem Until Singles Got So Single-minded That They Stopped Wasting Time With Anyone Ineligible. Before That, It Was Understood That One Of Society's Main Tasks Was Matchmaking. People With Lifelong Friendships And Ties To Local Nonprofessional Organizations Did Not Have To Fear That Isolation Would Accompany Retirement, Old Age, Or Losing A Spouse. Overburdened Householders Could Count On The Assistance Not Only Of Their Own Extended Families, But Of The American Tradition Of Neighborliness.

It's Far More Impressive When Others Discover Your Good Qualities Without Your Help.

Only A Person Who Considers Himself Too Good For You Is Good Enough.

The More Skillful The Performance Of False Cheer, The More Pleasing The Effect Is Upon One's Public And On That Private Audience To Whom One Owes Even More.