Quotes from Amy Vanderbilt

The modern rule is that every woman should be her own chaperone.

Good manners have much to do with the emotions. To make them ring true, one must feel them, not merely exhibit them.

When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things in our lives.

Do not smoke without asking permission or sit so near (as in a train) that the smoke might annoy.

Do not speak of repulsive matters at table.

Everyone knows that a man can always marry even if he reaches 102, is penniless, and has all his faculties gone. There is always some woman willing to take a chance on him. (from the Complete Book of Etiquette, 1952)

Parents must get across the idea that I love you always, but sometimes I do not love your behavior.

The modern rule is that every woman should be her own chaperon.

I have no use for people who exhibit manners.

Good manners have much to do with the emotions. To make them ring true, one must feel them, not merely exhibit them.

One face to the world, another at home - makes for misery.

I am a journalist in the field of etiquette. I try to find out what the most genteel people regularly do, what traditions they have discarded, what compromises they have made.

We must learn which ceremonies may be breached occasionally at our convenience and which ones may never be if we are to live pleasantly with our fellow man.

Everyone knows that a man can marry even if he reaches the age of 102, is penniless, and has all his facilities gone. There is always some woman willing to take a chance on him.

The modern rule is that every woman should be her own chaperon.

The best-dressed women I know pay very little attention to the picayune aspects of fashion, but they have a sound understanding of style.

In Hollywood, not to have an analyst is virtually an admission of failure.

Parents must get across the idea that "I love you always, but sometimes I do not love your behavior."