"You are so articulate."

"I guess I’d better watch how I eat."

"Did I do anything wrong?"

Folks, Miss Manners is not a Meter Maid who runs around spotting violations and issuing tickets. That would be stupendously rude. Besides, if I spent mealtimes checking on whether others can manage to get their food to their mouths in the conventional manner, rather than paying attention to the conversation, I would meanwhile — with perfect manners — be eating poison to escape the boredom. 

One thing people often say but it makes me laugh — it doesn’t drive me crazy — is, "You look wonderful; you’ve lost weight." I actually have been the same weight since high school but "you’ve lost weight" is many, many people’s idea of a compliment.

Two things: "Got any good gossip" and, "Sorry, that’s off the record!"

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

They always say I have the best job in television and that I’m so lucky. 
That truly annoys me because I made it the best job.
Sure, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time; mostly with the right bosses. 
Nonetheless, many got caught in the quicksand.
I know how to swim in mud and how not to drown. 
I also know who to reach for to pull me out. 
I guess that’s luck.
So, don’t tell me how lucky I am and that I have the best job.   
Ask me how I created the best job.