20 Years Ago in Time

As Thanksgiving approaches, many parents rush to give their children a crash course in MANNERS. Two decades ago, in a cover story on the return of etiquette, TIME looked at America's often rocky relationship with the subject.

Despite the evidence of a revived interest in manners, a number of people would argue the exact opposite, that manners continue to get worse. "Manners have taken a beating these last 25 years," says Eppie Lederer, a.k.a. Ann Landers, the advice columnist. "It isn't just that men aren't opening car doors for women or offering them seats on subways or buses. It goes deeper...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!