Judith Martin Quotes
Miss Manners does not mind explaining the finer points of gracious living, but she feels that anyone without the sense to pick up a potato chip and stuff it in their face should probably not be running around loose on the streets.
Martin, Judith. Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior. Atheneum, 1982.
He was referring to a vice president of Raytheon, a Navy contractor, who had made a public statement supporting budget reductions for the defense department. The Raytheon officer lost his job.
There was a social custom amongst the wealthy women of early American society where if they were moving to a new town, they would present their cards to the established female residents, who would then visit the newcomer at her home. Dolley Madison, anxious to bring some social civilization to Washington, still a rough swamp area, went out of her way to visit all comers and the Cabinet (Department) wives then did the same. However, as the government and Washington grew, this became more and more difficult, and subsequent first ladies wanted more of their privacy and time devoted to family. As America grew in importance, more counties sent ambassadors to Washington, and their wives all expected to be visited and invited. See {620648} for more on the “obligations” of a first lady and cabinet wives.
Judith Martin, better known by the pen name Miss Manners, is an American columnist, author, and etiquette authority.
