Miss Manners’ attitude is that it is better to bar the door to unwanted guests than to back them out through it. - Judith Martin

The correct British peer would no more dream of using his own title than he would of using his own umbrella, although he carries both and is proud of their age.

The rationale that etiquette should be eschewed because it fosters inequality does not ring true in a society that openly admits to a feverish interest in the comparative status-conveying qualities of sneakers. Manners are available to all, for free.

We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.