Yes, Etiquette Is Hypocritical. Yes, It Does

The Etiquette Business Has Its Emergencies, Heaven Knows, But It Is In The Nature Of Etiquette Emergencies That Once One Realizes What One Has Done, It Is Too Late. One Might As Well Get A Good Night's Sleep And Send Flowers With An Apology In The Morning.

The More Skillful The Performance Of False Cheer, The More Pleasing The Effect Is Upon One's Public And On That Private Audience To Whom One Owes Even More.

There Was No Singles Problem Until Singles Got So Single-minded That They Stopped Wasting Time With Anyone Ineligible. Before That, It Was Understood That One Of Society's Main Tasks Was Matchmaking. People With Lifelong Friendships And Ties To Local Nonprofessional Organizations Did Not Have To Fear That Isolation Would Accompany Retirement, Old Age, Or Losing A Spouse. Overburdened Householders Could Count On The Assistance Not Only Of Their Own Extended Families, But Of The American Tradition Of Neighborliness.

Everybody's An Art Critic.

The Obligation To Express Gratitude Deepens With Procrastination. The Longer You Wait, The More Effusive Must Be The Thanks.