It Is One Of Miss Manners's Great

If You Can't Be Kind, At Least Be Vague.

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.

Perhaps The Greatest Rudenesses Of Our Time Come Not From The Callousness Of Strangers, But From The Solicitousness Of Intimates Who Believe That Their Frank Criticisms Are Always Welcome, And Who Feel Free To "be Themselves" With Those They Love, Which Turns Out To Mean Being Their Worst Selves, While Saving Their Best Behavior For Strangers.

A Young Lady Is A Female Child Who Has Just Done Something Dreadful.

People, In Forming Their Opinions Of Others, Are Usually Lazy Enough To Go By Whatever Is Most Obvious Or Whatever Chance Remark They Happen To Hear. So The Best Policy Is To Dictate To Others The Opinion You Want Them To Have Of You.