Letitia Baldrige Quotes

Powerful Letitia Baldrige for Daily Growth

About Letitia Baldrige

Letitia Baldrige, born on July 31, 1927, in Washington D.C., was an influential American socialite, writer, and White House aide, known for her elegance, wit, and impeccable style. Her life was a blend of high society glamour, political intrigue, and literary accomplishments. Raised in a prominent family, Baldrige's social connections provided her with an early introduction to the Washington elite. She attended Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut, before moving on to the University of Wisconsin. Her college years were interrupted by World War II, during which she worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to the CIA. In 1953, Letitia married Charles M. "Stuffy" Baldridge, an attorney and diplomat who would later serve as U.S. Ambassador to Austria. Their marriage brought her into close proximity with political figures, including President John F. Kennedy, for whom she worked as a White House consultant on social affairs and protocol during his administration from 1961 to 1963. Baldrige's experiences in the White House were later immortalized in her memoir "From A Spoiled Spatula: The Kitchen Timer Years at the White House" (1980). In the book, she shares anecdotes about the Kennedy family and provides a unique insight into life within the White House. Post-White House, Baldrige continued to contribute to society through her writing. Her second book, "Letitia Baldrige's New Official Guide for Entertaining at Home" (1978), became a bestseller and remains a classic resource on home entertaining. Baldrige passed away on January 25, 2008, but her legacy as a style icon, social arbiter, and accomplished author continues to inspire generations. Her life story serves as a testament to grace, intelligence, and the power of connection in shaping one's path.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is no such thing as too much punctuality."

Letitia Baldrige's quote emphasizes the importance of punctuality in daily life. It suggests that being on time, or even early, is a positive trait that should not be compromised. Timeliness demonstrates respect for others' time and shows one's reliability, discipline, and professionalism. Delaying an appointment, meeting, or event can cause inconvenience, stress, and loss of productivity. Therefore, striving for punctuality in all aspects of life is a sign of good character and efficient organization skills.

"Good manners are a sign of great character."

This quote by Letitia Baldridge emphasizes that good manners are more than just polite behaviors; they are a reflection of one's inner character, morals, and values. A person with good manners demonstrates respect, empathy, and consideration for others, traits that show their kindness, thoughtfulness, and well-roundedness. In essence, good manners serve as a mirror to a person's ethical principles and personal growth.

"One should never be without a white coat and gloves in one's car."

This quote by Letitia Baldrige suggests the importance of being prepared, even for the unexpected. In this context, having a white coat and gloves in one's car signifies readiness to handle any situation that may require a level of cleanliness or formality, whether it be an emergency, a spontaneous invitation to a formal event, or simply picking up something dirty on the road. It embodies the spirit of being well-equipped and prepared for life's unpredictable moments.

"Always carry a small mirror to check your appearance before entering any room."

Letitia Baldrige's quote emphasizes self-awareness and personal presentation, suggesting that one should always be mindful of their appearance before interacting with others or entering new situations. It underscores the importance of maintaining a polished and presentable exterior as a reflection of one's inner character and respect for social etiquette. In essence, it encourages individuals to show consideration for themselves and others by presenting themselves in an orderly and well-groomed manner.

"It is the height of bad taste to wear black shoes with a grey suit."

This quote emphasizes the importance of matching footwear with one's outfit in fashion, as it can significantly impact the overall appearance and style. Wearing black shoes with a grey suit, considered a common mistake in men's formal wear, is seen as poor taste due to the contrast between the darker shoe color and lighter suit color, which may appear jarring or out of place. The quote underscores the significance of paying attention to detail and coordination when dressing to ensure an elegant and harmonious appearance.

Kids today and for the last 20 years have held the fork and knife in unbelievable ways. They hold the fork with a fist and the knife like a saw and they shovel it in. It doesn't matter to them which way they hold their knife and fork. They eat every which way. I'm amazed they get food into their mouths at all.

- Letitia Baldrige

Fist, Shovel, Held, Unbelievable

It's nice to compliment people on what they're wearing, but don't make insincere compliments.

- Letitia Baldrige

Compliments, Wearing, Insincere

Good manners are cost effective. They not only increase the quality of life in the workplace, they contribute to employee morale, embellish the company image, and play a major role in generating profit.

- Letitia Baldrige

Play, Image, Major Role, Employee

Writers on etiquette receive a continuous flow of questions on subjects such as 'When is it too early in the season to wear white accessories?' and 'What is the proper gift to send to a family in mourning?'

- Letitia Baldrige

Gift, Accessories, Receive, Subjects

You don't want to work so hard that you can't enjoy your guests.

- Letitia Baldrige

Work, Enjoy, Want, Guests

At home, we're listening to TV or playing with our computers, so our entertaining is rusting. We don't know how to be good hosts and guests in business situations.

- Letitia Baldrige

Listening, TV, Entertaining, Guests

If the flu situation in your town is serious, cancel a large long-awaited party you had scheduled, but promise the guests in an e-mail that you will reschedule the party as soon as possible.

- Letitia Baldrige

Town, Cancel, Large, Guests

President and Mrs. Kennedy would walk into the East Room with their honored guests, preceded by the military color guard, who then posted their flags behind the receiving line. This ceremony never failed to move all of us, no matter how many times the staff witnessed it.

- Letitia Baldrige

Color, Behind, Line, Guests

Crashing could not be more inconsiderate to a host. It is a negative act because hosts likely have a particular plan for the event, an intention to move guests' attitudes in a certain direction.

- Letitia Baldrige

Could, Move, Likely, Guests

What the bride should do is call guests who have young children and say: 'I'd love to have the kids at the wedding, but we won't have room. Would you get a baby sitter, and when we get back from our honeymoon, we'll have you guys over?'

- Letitia Baldrige

Love, Bride, Young, Guests

The whole art of flirting has simply disappeared. This probably will do further damage. If we're going to become so uptight that we can't say nice things to each other, then we've had it!

- Letitia Baldrige

Other, Damage, Whole, Uptight

Backpacks are obtrusive. They're great for school kids and mountaineers, but a woman is supposed to look enticing and glamorous at night. They obscure one of a woman's most erogenous zones, the nape of her neck. I suppose they're good if you want to keep men away.

- Letitia Baldrige

Woman, Away, Glamorous, School Kids

I'm a businesswoman, and Ms. is an appropriate form of address.

- Letitia Baldrige

Address, Appropriate, Form, Ms

The Kennedys tried to avoid using the big U-shaped table, but when they couldn't, they had several tricks - including keeping the flowers simple - to keep it from appearing overly stiff and formal.

- Letitia Baldrige

Flowers, Big, Using, Overly

Chivalry isn't dead. It's just no longer gender-based.

- Letitia Baldrige

Dead, Just, Longer, Chivalry

I was considered the luckiest of all the female gypsies since I landed the job as social secretary to Ambassador and Mrs. David Bruce at the American Embassy.

- Letitia Baldrige

American, Social, Considered, Luckiest

Nothing ruins the flow of conversation more quickly than refusing a compliment you have just received. Never disagree with something nice that is said to you or about you.

- Letitia Baldrige

Nothing, More, Refusing, Ruins

Going to a party uninvited always has been a negative action. It never has been acceptable. At the very least, it upsets kitchen preparations, parking arrangements, and even details such as space for hanging coats and depositing dripping umbrellas.

- Letitia Baldrige

Parking, Very, Acceptable, Preparations

Before the Kennedys were elected, there had been older Presidents. Then here was this devastatingly attractive young couple with two beautiful children. They were so intelligent, graceful, gracious and funny. They enjoyed life so much. That's what caught America's eye.

- Letitia Baldrige

Here, Caught, Been, Graceful

Business colleagues who have not seen each other for a long time but who have a good relationship can always shake hands warmly and grab each other's right upper arm or shoulder with their free left hand. Men and women executives should not kiss each other in public.

- Letitia Baldrige

Hands, Other, Shake, Shoulder

Europeans are easily offended by errors in their titles or full names. Their exasperation is equal to that shown by Americans when the department store fouls up their bills.

- Letitia Baldrige

Offended, Store, Titles, Department Store

For every step forward in electronic communications, we've taken two steps back in humanity. People know how to use a computer and answering machines but have forgotten how to connect with one another. Our society is unraveling. We're too self-obsessed.

- Letitia Baldrige

Back, Another, Use, Unraveling

For years, people have re-dialed when the line was busy. They waited their turn. When I'm put on hold, I always hope that as my revenge, their other call will be someone wanting to sell them something.

- Letitia Baldrige

Other, Line, Wanting, Waited

If you really screw up, send roses.

- Letitia Baldrige

You, Send, Up, Screw

If you are someone's guest on a corporate jet, the most important thing to remember is not just to be on time, but to be early. If you hold up the departure of the jet by as much as 10 minutes, you may cause the plane to wait in line for another hour or two before obtaining new clearance.

- Letitia Baldrige

Wait, Before, Plane, Departure

If golfers know they look good, they will play better. I think that is valid for men and women.

- Letitia Baldrige

Play, Think, I Think, Golfers

Look at all those unattractive people talking about depraved things all day long on TV talk shows. People can talk about themselves, yet the art of conversation, which has to do with sharing, is disappearing. I feel as though I am chasing a runaway locomotive.

- Letitia Baldrige

TV, About, Depraved, Runaway

Arranging an official dinner in an embassy is a little like writing a script for a play. The prolog is the guest list, often the most difficult part of the whole creative operation.

- Letitia Baldrige

Play, Like, Part, Arranging

Most people don't know how to take compliments. That's the biggest problem in America - we're hesitant to give compliments and embarrassed at getting them.

- Letitia Baldrige

Give, Biggest Problem, Hesitant

We have a lot of societal problems that we have to fix in the 1990s.

- Letitia Baldrige

Fix, Lot, Societal, 1990s

A real thank you does not come by e-mail. They come in the mail in an envelope. And what comes out of an envelope is a beautiful thing to touch and to handle and to pass around for everyone to read.

- Letitia Baldrige

Mail, Pass, Read, E-Mail

I saw an e-mail from one guy who's about 23 to one of peers. His parting sign-off was 'Don't let the bedbugs bite.' Now that's really poetic.

- Letitia Baldrige

About, Poetic, Saw, E-Mail

When writing a thank-you if you've had lunch with someone downtown, send an e-mail. If somebody is giving you a dinner party in his or her home and all the work that takes, that person deserves a written thank-you.

- Letitia Baldrige

Lunch, Had, Deserves, E-Mail

Make people have a smile when they finish your e-mail.

- Letitia Baldrige

Finish, Your, Make, E-Mail

We are not passing values on to our children. We are not sitting down at the dinner table talking about the tiny things that add up to caring human beings.

- Letitia Baldrige

Values, Add, About, Passing

I've become a master of the apology.

- Letitia Baldrige

Master, Become, Apology

If you're making a social call, don't call past 8 P.M. The evening is a time when people need a respite from their work - a time to unwind, uninterrupted.

- Letitia Baldrige

Need, Making, Social, Unwind

A really first-class company uses really fine stationery.

- Letitia Baldrige

Company, Fine, Uses, First-Class

An excellent wine, someone's best attempt at cooking, and the candles and flowers on the table can turn the simplest dinner into an unforgettably romantic event.

- Letitia Baldrige

Flowers, Excellent, Simplest, Wine

A man or woman can be known and respected for good taste, regardless of job or income level, if they make good choices in clothes, have good table manners, are kind and organize their home to look warm, welcoming, clean, and appropriate to their station in life.

- Letitia Baldrige

Woman, Income, Appropriate, Welcoming

When you pass 70, you forget your enemies. You think about the nice people instead.

- Letitia Baldrige

Think, Pass, About, Nice People

I believe in teaching manners without causing fisticuffs.

- Letitia Baldrige

Believe, Teaching, Causing

It's stylish to have people over. But unstylish to make them bring food. It's so tacky, making everybody appear at the door with a dish. Better to order in, use a caterer or bring prepared food into your kitchen.

- Letitia Baldrige

Door, Over, Making, Kitchen

When somebody throws something out the car window, honk at them, but don't give them the finger. We've got to temper our negative feelings about people who desecrate the environment.

- Letitia Baldrige

Give, Finger, About, Feelings

There is so much bad manners and oafishness in large corporations.

- Letitia Baldrige

Bad, Bad Manners, Large, Corporations

Administrations had come and gone in Pennsylvania Avenue, but many old entertaining traditions had survived - thru habit and not thru merit.

- Letitia Baldrige

Old, Entertaining, Thru, Traditions

We have lost the art of conversation. People are shy and don't know how to approach other people, and they are missing opportunities for relationships. And no one's entertaining at home anymore. They're not having people over for dinner.

- Letitia Baldrige

Art, Other, Over, Conversation

It's very important with these young people who are graduating and getting married to write thank-you notes.

- Letitia Baldrige

Young, Notes, Very, Graduating

We ought to be vigilantes for kindness and consideration.

- Letitia Baldrige

Kindness, Consideration, Ought

I'm for anything that teaches consideration and kindness. If one can teach one's son to dance with the ugliest little girl in the room, that's the best lesson they can ever learn.

- Letitia Baldrige

Learn, Teach, Ugliest, Consideration

Everybody forgets names and faces, and it's just inconsiderate to expect someone who isn't your boss or your sister-in-law to know exactly who you are.

- Letitia Baldrige

Boss, Everybody, Your, Forgets

You don't need the White House to please people. You can be 24, earning $22,000 a year, and have people over to your tiny apartment. It's all about sharing and thinking about what will make others happy.

- Letitia Baldrige

Happy, Year, About, White House

I don't care what your politics are, I would wager that if you asked any American woman which administration would she have most liked to work for as social secretary, she would pick Jacqueline Kennedy's White House as the place to be.

- Letitia Baldrige

Woman, Politics, American, White House

To have people to the White House and worry about the price of things is laughable.

- Letitia Baldrige

Worry, White, Price, White House

You'd be surprised how much easier it is to conduct business over tea than over lunch or dinner in a bustling restaurant.

- Letitia Baldrige

Business, Lunch, Over, Surprised

I've had a charmed life.

- Letitia Baldrige

Life, Had, Charmed

The polished executive is ultimately the happy executive who can walk gracefully through life.

- Letitia Baldrige

Through, Polished, Executive, Gracefully

I'm all for Hillary Clinton. I want her to avoid the barbs of women who hate women who work. But I'm known as a Republican in Washington. I'm probably the last person she'd call.

- Letitia Baldrige

Work, Want, Last, None

The First Lady has a lot of power. I hope Hillary Clinton realizes that.

- Letitia Baldrige

Lady, Clinton, Lot, None

CEOs are called by their first names by young whippersnappers. That makes everybody uncomfortable. We need order and structure back in the workplace.

- Letitia Baldrige

Young, Need, Everybody, Structure

The custom of going to a party only when we have been invited is a necessary, attractive, decent way for a party to evolve.

- Letitia Baldrige

Evolve, Attractive, Been, Custom

We're a nation of latchkey children. Manners start at home, and no one is at home teaching manners so that children have respect for others.

- Letitia Baldrige

Start, Nation, Teaching, Manners

I don't ever knock anybody; that's bad manners.

- Letitia Baldrige

Knock, Bad Manners, Ever, Manners

Manners make the world work. They're not only based on kindness but also efficiency. When people know what to do, the world is smoother. When no one knows what to do, it's chaos.

- Letitia Baldrige

Chaos, Efficiency, Based, Manners

Manners are nothing more than thinking about somebody else.

- Letitia Baldrige

Nothing, More, Else, Manners

That's how a nation's manners are going to be taught - from watching others' behavior and learning from the effects of that behavior.

- Letitia Baldrige

Learning, Nation, Going, Manners

For every rude executive who makes it to the top, there are nine successful executives with good manners.

- Letitia Baldrige

Nine, Makes, Executives, Manners

Doubleday is used to my talking about manners because I am, after all, known for that, and that's my persona.

- Letitia Baldrige

Used, About, Persona, Manners

Knowing when and where to sit is something every young executive should learn. A junior person who comes barging into a room and takes any seat he wants catches the disapproving eye of senior management.

- Letitia Baldrige

Young, Should, Executive, Junior

A bride is a bride the first time around. The white dress and the white veil are symbolic. So many people are breaking the rules that people don't know what the rules are.

- Letitia Baldrige

Dress, Bride, Symbolic, So Many People

At tea time, all the noise, greed and aggressiveness of the '80s can be drowned out. For 45 minutes, anyway.

- Letitia Baldrige

Tea, Minutes, Aggressiveness, Noise

If you care enough to look right, you care enough to act right. And vice versa.

- Letitia Baldrige

Enough, Act, Vice, Vice Versa

All of the First Ladies were good, creative and strong. I've always said they should be paid.

- Letitia Baldrige

Strong, Always, Were, Ladies

Jeans of any sort should not be worn in nice restaurants. They pollute the landscape. They should also not be worn in the workplace if no other workers wear them. However, if your office is casual, go for it.

- Letitia Baldrige

Go For It, Other, However, Restaurants

The '80s have not been a gracious decade, and people are seeking ways to be nice to each other.

- Letitia Baldrige

Decade, Other, Been, Gracious

Go to any bookstore, and you'll see thousands of books on etiquette, which suggests there's a lot of self-help going on. There is hope.

- Letitia Baldrige

Go, Going, Which, Bookstore

It behooves everyone to move forward, think forward.

- Letitia Baldrige

Think, Everyone, Move, Move Forward

If you take five taxis a day, one driver will be nasty, and the other four are perfectly nice. You remember the nasty one. But you should remember the four who were nice.

- Letitia Baldrige

Will, Other, Perfectly, Nasty

We need grace in our lives, and I'm not talking about heavenly grace. I'm talking about human grace. We should try and be warm and friendly.

- Letitia Baldrige

Need, Not Talking, Lives, Our Lives

Jeans should never be worn to someone's home if you are having dinner there.

- Letitia Baldrige

Never, Worn, Having, Dinner

If somebody is disrespecting somebody, we should step in - even at the risk of getting slugged over the head.

- Letitia Baldrige

Head, Over, Getting, Risk

There are major CEOs who do not know how to hold a knife and fork properly, but I don't worry about that as much as the lack of kindness.

- Letitia Baldrige

Worry, Hold, About, CEOs

I think that what we should do is have short, clipped conversations on the telephone so someone can always get us, not talking about inane stuff and having someone trying to get you. I also think we've just got to be more sensitive toward other people and not call them at night if you know they've been working.

- Letitia Baldrige

Other, Been, I Think, Conversations

I talk about beepers going off in the middle of a concert and people being late and not apologizing, and people not RSVP-ing, and adult children going back to live with their parents, which we didn't have in the '60s and '70s.

- Letitia Baldrige

Middle, Going, Which, Adult

Nothing gets on other people's nerves at the office more than a whistler. And the sad part is, these whistlers don't know they're doing it. Someone should, tactfully, tell the whistler how much it disrupts the office environment.

- Letitia Baldrige

Doing, Other, Part, Nerves

When in doubt, look at what everyone else is doing.

- Letitia Baldrige

Doing, Everyone Else, Else, When In Doubt

The best thing we can do to save the planet is set a good example for our kids at home.

- Letitia Baldrige

Good Example, Planet, Set, Kids

When someone is wearing a dress that makes her look fat, don't say 'That's a great dress.' It always comes off badly.

- Letitia Baldrige

Dress, Always, Badly, Wearing

I've had three broken legs and two knee replacements. But I'm very good at apres golf.

- Letitia Baldrige

Broken, Very, Had, Legs

Politeness decrees that you must listen to be kind; intelligence decrees that you must listen to learn.

- Letitia Baldrige

Be Kind, Learn, Kind, Listen

Tea time is a chance to slow down, pull back and appreciate our surroundings.

- Letitia Baldrige

Tea, Chance, Pull, Surroundings

Eating American-style, you put the knife down and clang. Continental is silent and efficient.

- Letitia Baldrige

Silent, Knife, Efficient, Continental

More young people are aware of the need for thank yous and aware of the tremendous impression they make.

- Letitia Baldrige

Young, Young People, Aware, Impression

One cannot reject an entire nation because of the politics of its leader.

- Letitia Baldrige

Leader, Politics, Nation, Reject

I have grandchildren who are going to need every cent I make.

- Letitia Baldrige

Grandchildren, Need, Going, Cent

We need to reach out - spend more time together.

- Letitia Baldrige

More, Need, Spend, Reach

People are less grateful than they used to be.

- Letitia Baldrige

Used, Less, Than, Grateful

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