Ideological Differences Are No Excuse For Rudeness.

The Family Dinner Table Is The Cornerstone Of Civilization And Those Who 'graze' From Refrigerators Or In Front Of The Television Sets Are Doomed To Remain In A State Of Savagery.

The Truly Essential Bargain Between Host And Guest Requires The Guest Only To Respond Promptly, Show Up On Time, Socialize With Other Guests, Thank The Host, Write Additional Thanks And Reciprocate. You Needn't Bring Anything.

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.

A General Rule Of Etiquette Is That One Apologizes For The Unfortunate Occurrence, But The Unthinkable Is Unmentionable.

The Etiquette Of Intimacy Is Very Different From The Etiquette Of Formality, But Manners Are Not Just Something To Show Off To The Outside World. If You Offend The Head Waiter, You Can Always Go To Another Restaurant. If You Offend The Person You Live With, It's Very Cumbersome To Switch To A Different Family.