Karen Grigsby Bates

is a Los Angeles-based correspondent for NPR News and co-author, with Karen Elyse Hudson, of The New Basic Black: Home Training For Modern Times (Doubleday).

About Come Correct

Manners and mores in modern life? It's about way more than where the fork goes.

All SEPTEMBER POSTS (6)

Small World, Isn't It?

What you don't know could hurt you ....

An Affair To Remember

John Edwards' latest predicament is like that old vaudeville joke: The screwing he got wasn't worth the screwing he got.

No Home Training!

Joe, Serena, Kanye all acted like 3-year-olds in need of a nap.

Friendly Skies ... Sorta

"Have a pleasant flight" is an empty catch phrase.

Smacking Children Not Your Own

It's legal to be annoyed at a crying child.  Slapping's another thing entirely.

Phoning It In

Doctors' offices often post the little NO Cells, Please icons--but what do you do when you're waiting (and waiting) and need to make a call?