For more than forty years, Judith Martin has inspired the world with advice on etiquette excellence, proper behavior, and codes of conduct through her critically acclaimed newspaper column, Miss Manners. In an interview for her book, Miss Manners Minds Your Business, Mrs. Martin reminds us that When you go to work, you want a degree of professionalism which does not involve hearing about all of the sordid details of a person's love life. We are not necessarily all friends, but have a job that needs to be done. A work friend is not always a social friend. One requires distance while the other embraces intimacy.
Judith Martin, widely known as Miss Manners, has spent over four decades offering insight on etiquette and appropriate conduct through her popular newspaper column. Her guidance covers various aspects of professional behavior, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a certain level of professionalism in the workplace. In a conversation regarding her book, Miss Manners Minds Your Business, she highlights the need for boundaries, stating that work environments should not become venues for sharing personal affairs that might distract from professional responsibilities.
Mrs. Martin points out that the nature of relationships at work differs significantly from personal friendships; a workfriend does not always equal a social friend. While a workfriend can support you in achieving job-related goals, a social friend may allow for more personal emotional exchanges. Hence, it is crucial to maintain a certain distance at work to ensure that the focus remains on completing the tasks required, thereby maintaining a productive and professional atmosphere.