Judith Martin

Judith Martin

Judith Martin is awash on the stormy seas of etiquette and just as frequently, she is awash on the gorgeous canals of Venice where she makes her second home.

She is a Washington expert, having covered the White House before creating her advice column under its famous ...
Full bio

My Most Recent Posts

Art Flash | 06/09/2009 12:00 am

Judith Martin: News Flash From the Late 16th Century

Tintoretto was not as morose as we thought … Judith Martin shares with wOw the truth behind the artist’s masterpieces

Post | 01/29/2009 8:00 am

Judith Martin: More Words Worth Repeating

Back by popular demand!

Post | 01/08/2009 12:00 pm

Judith Martin: Words Worth Repeating

They say life imitates art, but we say life imitates literature. Join wOw’s Judith Martin and tell us: What wise words from the world’s libraries do you and yours call upon regularly to get your point across?

My Most Recent Conversation

No Longer Shocking, Hillary Clinton Must Act Fast on Israel, Pakistan

Julia Reed, Judith Martin and Mary Wells discuss the evolution of Hillary Clinton from First Lady to secretary of state — and where she should focus her diplomatic attentions

Dead to Me:

  • Boredom, non-specific guilt and envy. They were forbidden me as a child, and I found I could get along quite well without them.

My Shoes:

  • Daniela Ghezzo at Segalin a Venezia

My Foods:

  • Home cooking by my husband, especially the caviar blini with which he courted me.

I Love(d) Listening To:

  • That awful Mr. Wagner’s "Ring Cycle" (although I am ashamed to admit it).

I Wish I Lived In:

  • The house I do live in, but with a less crowded attic

I Want to Own:

  • Any company that I must deal with (telephone, airline, electrical power) so that I could insist upon decent customer service.

My Dream Experience Would Be:

  • Singing the great soprano roles in the major opera houses to grateful audiences who would then unhitch the horses from my carriage and pull it through the streets. (If only I could carry a tune.)

The First Thing I Do in the Morning Is:

  • Try to remember the amazing idea that I had during the night

I Respect:

  • The offices of our government, if not always the office-holders.

I Love(d) Reading:

I Hoard:

Things that apparently nobody else wants, so they are no longer made, including:

I Use:

  • Asparagus holders
  • Strawberry forks
  • Salad knives
  • Fish forks and knives
  • Berry spoons
  • Corn forks
  • Lobster picks
  • Orange knives and spoons
  • Ice cream spoons
  • Fruit knives and forks
  • Sandwich tongs
  • Click here for all


I Admire:

What Wows Me:

  • Disinterested kindness

I Don't Care What They Say:

  • I still won’t shorten my skirts.

My Remedies: