Judith Martin

Judith Martin, who goes by the pen name of Miss Manners, is an author and columnist on etiquette authority. Martin graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in English. She began her career in writing as a journalist, covering social events at the White House and embassies, later moving on as a theater and film critic. In 1978, Martin began her advice column, answering questions about manners and etiquette. Martin was the recipient of a 2005 National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush.

Miss Manners: No, guests shouldn’t ask a host if they can bring uninvited family or friends to a gathering
... hosts end up sharing personal occasions with people who have no personal relationship to them.
9h agoJudith Martin
Miss Manners: A ‘grand tour’ of your home is almost never necessary
I remember growing up, when we had visitors who were new to our house, my mother would give them the “grand tour.”
10h agoJudith Martin

Miss Manners: Impractical invitations make friend uncomfortable
Is there a polite way to decline her invitations so she’ll stop asking me?
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: When visiting my dad at assisted living facility, is it okay to greet other residents?
They might appreciate a cheery “hello” or a wave from the hallway, but would that be intruding on their privacy?
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: Do yourself a favor, don’t compare mature women to clowns
I’ve noticed that some mature women do not change how they apply makeup as they get older, which makes them look, well, clownlike.
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: Do I need to thank someone for sending me a ‘thinking of you’ card?
Nothing says “thank you for thinking of me” like completely ignoring the person right back.
Judith Martin

Miss Manners: If my 9-year-old chooses her birthday party guests, one little girl will be excluded
I want to respect my daughter’s right to choose her guests, but ...
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: I stopped sending her gifts because I received nothing in return and now she’s mad
I wish to be kind. Should I resume the gifts?
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: It’s simple ... get off the bus briefly to let other people off if you’re blocking the door
It seems, however, that NO ONE does this. (They) stand there blocking the door ... as if there is no solution to the predicament they find themselves in.
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: How do I entertain someone who’s coming to visit who I haven’t seen in years?
Is it polite to inquire ahead what she would like to drink? I don’t want to imply that I think she has to have alcohol ...
Judith Martin

Miss Manners: I know it’s a compliment when my friends say ‘I make them sick,’ but ....
(They) mean to express admiration for skills they do not possess, but it's off-putting to me, and I have no idea how I am supposed to respond.
Judith Martin
Miss Manners: Was it wrong for me to ask the host if my visiting brother could come to the BBQ, too?
My spouse said I was putting the hostess on the spot and that she could not say no.
Judith Martin

Judith Martin

Miss Manners: No, guests shouldn’t ask a host if they can bring uninvited family or friends to a gathering

Miss Manners: A ‘grand tour’ of your home is almost never necessary

Miss Manners: Impractical invitations make friend uncomfortable

Miss Manners: When visiting my dad at assisted living facility, is it okay to greet other residents?

Miss Manners: Do yourself a favor, don’t compare mature women to clowns

Miss Manners: Do I need to thank someone for sending me a ‘thinking of you’ card?

Miss Manners: If my 9-year-old chooses her birthday party guests, one little girl will be excluded

Miss Manners: I stopped sending her gifts because I received nothing in return and now she’s mad

Miss Manners: It’s simple ... get off the bus briefly to let other people off if you’re blocking the door

Miss Manners: How do I entertain someone who’s coming to visit who I haven’t seen in years?

Miss Manners: I know it’s a compliment when my friends say ‘I make them sick,’ but ....

Miss Manners: Was it wrong for me to ask the host if my visiting brother could come to the BBQ, too?

Disclaimer