I just watched the show and you have strong morals and it shows as well as your etiquette, however, I must say etiquette should be silent and you should not try to tell people who don't know any better the etiquette, because perhaps they were not raised in a upper crust atmosphere, and it is not an upper crust move to correct them. My grandmother was very prim and proper(never even wore pants!), yet she would never argue with anyone especially in public and although it adds to tv drama, I think you should rise above it and prove you should have your title because you are worth it. Anyway thats my two cents and I wish you luck and love the turquoise necklace you were wearing.... cheers, Laura

You are handling the transition of divorce with quite a bit of grace.

Dear Countess,

First, may I offer you my condolences on your recent divorce. It is a difficult time for all parties involved and I wish you well in the future.

Second, I can not believe that people are treating you and your title of Countess with such disrespect. You are classy not class-less and you show such great respect to your title. There are times when I see you stop and pause for a moment so that you can gather yourself before you speak, which is a sign of intelligence and shows how much class you turly have.

Best wishes to this new season and I look forward to watching you grow in this new chapter of your life!

Respectfully yours, Michelle J. Virginia

So excited that the housewives of NY are back!! I love all the shows but NY and OC are my favs! I'm so sorry to hear of your divorce and wish you all the best in your life.

Sorry Mrs. de Lesseps if you were offended by something Mario said you should have taken it up with him and not Ramona.

You need some help. You had no CLASS by attacking Bethany and asking her if she would pay. Are you for real? Please take some of your own advice. You act like you are so high and prestine but underneath you have no self confidence and you are about to fall apart. Get a life!

LuAnn you need to press rewind on this episode. Ramona did say sorry if he hurt your feelings.

Luann,enough with this countess nonsense and move on!

I totally agree with you Countess. Mario's remark was totally thoughtless, rude and disrespectful. Ramona's reaction to the conversation was way too big for the situation. However, that said, as much as I hate to agree with her, you should talk directly with Mario to resolve this, not bit** to Ramona and expect her to fix it. Hang in there. Divorce is hard, but it gets better I promise. Try to stay busy, positive and focused on healthy, positive things and people and you will be a lot happier. Try not to wallow in the why of it. That only keeps you mired in the past and it doesn't help you move forward! Good luck.

LuAnn- Ramona did apologize in the beginning of your conversation but you and Jill kept going on and on trying to beat her up about it.

LuAnn, You have always been a favorite and I know you've gone through a difficult time but it makes you look tacky to hang on to thoughtless comments! Let.It.Go oh my, where oh where is the LuAnn from before? I miss her!! Hope the season gets better, it was a disappointing start.

Yes, the "Countless" comment was rude, crude, and totally unacceptable. Yes, Mario was tacky. Ramona invited you on a yacht for a ladies, end of summer, get-together. No, Ramona is not responsible for everything her husband says. Deciding to present it as a problem to your hostess, because you, as a guest, took issue with a third-party's comment at a previous outing, was not appropriate. If you felt more comfortable bringing it up to Mr. McMannerless' wife, you should have done so one-on-one, apart from the yacht outing, docked at shore. Mario is not the only who owes an apology. You owe one to your hostess, and to the other guests. They were hostages at sea to a drama which could have waited.

Hi LuAnn,

I'm sorry that you were going through a divorce and what Mario said was mean; however, it is not Ramona's responsibility to apologize for someone else (even her husband) hurting your feelings. You should have addressed the situation directly with Mario. That does not excuse Ramona's response. She should have told you that she doesn't get involved in Mario's disputes and that you should address any issues you have with him directly.

I hope all is well.

About Mario...apparently you can't take a joke because you are the one going on and on about it. I don't think Ramona should say SHES sorry for one second. SHE didn't say anything..her husband did...why is that her fault? She doesn't control him. He was saying this to his wife and wasn't meant for anyone else to hear (he said it under his breath)...if you want people to think you actually have class you need to just let it go.I agree with Bethenny that you are always judging people to see how they act because you think you are the queen example of how women should act.

LuAnn,

As I do think Ramona is really off her rocker, you tend to blow things way out of control. You have to remind yourself of the source of the comment (or whatever the situation), Mario is just well not worth the air it too try to explain it to Ramona. She is always going to over react as well, that is one of the things she does best. I am waiting for her head to spin off her neck!

Needless to say, I think you are way too hard on people and should look a bit more closely at your 'glass house' as Bethany would say!

You take life way too seriously!

Love the show though!

LuAnn, I think you are wrong on several counts. First,, if your issue is with Mario, deal with him; don't make someone else the messenger. That's cowardly, behind the scenes and second=hand info. Second, for all your views on "correctness" you speak incorrectly grammatically. It's between you and me, not I. Use an objective pronoun after a preposition. Third, you only seem to want people around you who agree with you, compliment you, and respect your "title". Do you still have the title if you're divorced? Fourth, you are constantly picking people up on issues where they have"injured" you, but you don't own any of the guff you hand out to others. Don't you think your words might injure them, too? Fifth, stop playing the victim. You don't have a monopoly on having a problem. Grow up. Accept responsibility for your own words and actions, and stop holding on to comments people make. Before you brush the cinder out of another's eyes, remove the plank from your own.

I think your comment about who's paying....with Bethanny was uncomfortable.

You should have talked about the surfing incident...and then paid for the drinks....and let it be. But to bring up who pays when "who is being asked out" is stupid and lame.

I was embarrassed watching it. When people aske me to go do things I don't expect them to pay. I just don't.....I always go expecting to pay my way.

So happy to hear you are moving on with your life and are doing well. Wow, what a premiere. You are so right about Ramona being combative. She also seems to make the constant excuse that she is "honest" for what are crude and hurtful remarks. Mario is just ignorant, so I hope you've been able to let it go and consider the source. Where Bethenny is concerned, she is a very changed person now that she has a career and a man in her life. Her snarky comments are always behind everyone's back. To me that is cowardly, and why so many find her funny and charming is beyond me. I am looking forward to this season and hope to see you finding happiness. All the best to you and your children!

Hello Countess LuAnn (despite not having titles in the U.S., I will still refer to you as such :) ) I guess I'm commenting out of a little surprise that you would even take anything Mario or Ramona has to say seriously. Believe me, I understand that what he said was completely tacky, rude and inappropriate. However, these are some of the last people I've seen on the various Housewives installments that I would concern myself with. They enjoy belittling your title and lifestyle because they want more out of their life. Why else would Ramona keep referring to the boat as a yacht, twelve times in that segment of the episode? Was it a beautiful boat? Of course. But it wasn't Jay-Z's yacht sailing along the ocean. She needs a little perspective. And, considering you may take anything Ramona says seriously, you do too.

You are both ridiculously wealthy. Why do you care who picks up the tab for afternoon drinks? Wouldn't it be classier to get your own (especially since you made her drive and spend who knows how much on gas?)

If you look back on the footage, as soon as you told Ramona what Mario had said to you you can hear her say "I'm sorry". It's very faint to the viewers but it is there.

Hi Luann, Reading your comments, I have a new admiration for you and I completely feel for what you are going through. You are right, there is something wrong with women that need to put others down in the way that Bethenny and Mario (and sometimes the others) have done. I'm sorry they are so immature and ignorant at their ages.

Wishing you success in your future.

My understanding is that Mario mader the "countless" comment to someone and you overheard it....get thicker skin! It is a funny play on words (Bethany said it last season) and I'm sure Mario would never have said it to you or if he thought you were in earshot.

You do seem a bit oblivious to others efforts, Bethany did make the drive from Montauk, where was your "Thanks, I really appreciate you making the long drive in holiday traffic". Instead you chastise her for being late and tactlessly bring up the who's paying the bill remark.

If you want to hold yourself up to a higher standard than walk the walk and talk the talk.

You are not royalty, as Ramona tactlessly pointed out, so please drop the whole title thing or have fun with it EMBRACE BEING COUNTLESS!

Srry to hear about your divorce. I hope your children are adjusting well. After watching the show and reading your blog i have realize that you contradict yourself alot. You get combative when someone tells you a thing or two about yourself. You also talk behind ppls back, and you were hanging out with ppl (JILL) who talked behind your back all the time (season 1 and 2). Its not Ramona's job to SPANK Mario if you will. You should have spoken to him right then and there. nEXT, THE jewelry reaction was beYOND RUDE... Your friend wanted to show you something she has been working on, because, OBVIOUSLY,she values your opinion and Jills (i don't know why?) but of course you and jill did the unthinkable. HATING !!LOLOLOL thats what children do. But "haters" look good on you and Jill. Bethanny...i agree with you approaching her about talking behind your back, but the delivery was horrible, why whould you say, "its okay to be late" like she didn't drive well out her way and again YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WHEN SOMEONE DOES THE SAME TO YOU AS YOU DO TO OTHERS. that is a lesson you should have learned along time ago.

Your issue was with Mario, not with Ramona. I feel you should have spoken to Mario the next time that you saw him,and then let it go.

When you tried to have a reaasonable discussion with Ramona she refused to stop talking and listen. The same thing happened when you attempted to talk to Bethenny.

I felt you came out looking like the better person in both of those scenes. These woman are far too self-involved to consider anyone else.

Luanne,

Get a grip...adults do not appologize for each other... you want an appology ask Mario for it...not Ramona. You are so self obsorbed and into your title ...that you think you are above this get real and move outside the box you built for yourself... Your book is a work of contradiction...every work you put in you do not live by... Grow up and stand up like the woman you seem to claim to be... Show your children what the real world and life is ... Try living a real life and not prefabbin one that suits you.

I'm sorry about your divorce and having to go through it on TV, although that is your choice. I'm really starting to wonder if you have any idea of what good manners are. Ramona ASKED you not to discuss it later but because YOU wanted to discuss it, it was discussed. For goodness sakes, let some things just roll off your back. Yes, Ramona should have said she would talk to Mario, but she didn't. She explained he thought he was being funny it wasn't malicious....let it go! The same thing with Bethany, you hit her with the snarky comment thing before she could even catch her breath from coming in. You never once apologized for maybe inconveniencing her with the change in location. Did you even hear what she said or were you already formulating the next complaint in your mind. And she apologized.....but you kept it going. Your manners are appalling and the fact that you feel it is your place to let everyone else know how rude THEIR behavior....how on earth is that good manners????? I wanted to throw something at my TV watching this...don't know if I can bear to tune in next week. Grow UP!

Countess, If you re-watch the footage, Ramona did indeed say she was sorry that Mario had hurt your feelings. It was actually her first resonse but you ignored it and went on and on. It was sad to watch Ramona being treated that way. She apologized ( which you ignored) and then she directed you to speak to her husband about it, and then she tried to re-direct the conversation but you would have none of it. She did everyting she could do...there is no pleasing you. You come across as a very unhappy person.

You are sooo sensitive. And to beat up on Ramona seems childish on your part. let it go. You so play the victim, and seem to be critical of others.

Luann- You were so rude on the boat with ramona. If you had a problem with her husband you should have talk to him and don't you think there is a time and place for that. You and Jill were rude making fun of ramona when she invited you and Jill on a nice boat trip. You need to listen to your own advice sometimes. You and Jill acted like mean girls in High School on the boat. Making fun of Ramona in bathing suit was very ugly. You and Jill need to watch your behavior.

Dear Countess, I was glad to see you tell Ramona why you did not feel comfortable to come to her house for Labor Day. I also enjoyed when you called Bethany out for talking behind your back and when you are invited out who pays.I have friends that do the same thing and I wait for them to pick up the check and they don't. It puts everyone in a bad position. Good Luck to you in all you do in the future, you are etiqette!!!

I have to say for someone who is always talking about the proper thing say or do, I found your comment about Bethenny's car with a snide smirk quite rude. She is a working women with a very sucessful brand to promote. It may not be your choice of transportation, but no need to judge.

And for the rules of who should pick up the check, if I made plans with a friend, cancelled them and then insisted to reschedule at a resteraunt of my choice and made someone make a long drive to accomodate me, I would pick up the check. For a bunch of women of means, I have to say everyone's obsession of who pays for or provides what shocking.

I don't get your theory that an invitation= paying for the whole thing. In a dating situation, yes. For two friends, no. Does this mean that when someone invites you to go shopping, they are supposed to pick up your bill? I think not. Considering all the comments that have been made over the last three seasons (by you and the other ladies) bringing up Bethenny's relatively innocent comment was needless and basically for the cameras.

That being said, I really enjoy watching you and all of the other housewives on the show. I love the glimpse into New York Society.... and finally, after Atlanta and the OC we have some classy, intelligent women to watch!

Ok I watch this episode last night and I have to say Ramona did apologize to you. She said I was sorry he said that to you. But, you should have taken the situation directly to her husband not her. She is not her husband keeper or baby sitter. You as the guest shouldn't have brought up this issue at a social gathering. You should have made a discreet phone call to her husband or sent an email explaining that you heard what he said and were very hurt by it.

I think you were dead wrong to expect an apology from Ramona for Mario. That is the craziest thing I have ever heard. Mario is not Ramona's child and she should not be held accountable for his idoacy. I think you owe Ramona an apology.

I like you but I think all of the ladies say one thing face to face and another when talking to the camera. All of you did it last night. You, Jill, Kelly, Bethenny, and Ramona. It's human nature to not want to whack someone when they say or do dumb things. We let it slide but in our minds we are saying things like "this lady is crazy". You said things about Bethenny, Ramona and Kelly in your interview that you didn't say to the ladies.

I don't think it's a big deal. You all are grown women. Get tougher skin.

Lu Ann,

So glad to see that you are thriving despite your divorce. 16 years of marriage is a long time...I hope that you have continued success, but I have to say....WOW...I am so disappointed in basically ALL of you for not being nice to one another. To be in a great group of friends who are women is a blessing, but y'all are SO interested in being ugly to one another. I couldn't believe how you and Jill went after Ramona on the boat when she was kind enough to invite you! It was very tactless and you above all others know that you could have confronted her alone and not in front of anyone so that you and she could work it out in private. I just was so distressed, because it just seems that y'all are so hell bent on NOT supporting one another...Even when you had drinks with Bethany...Was it really worth it to make it confrontational? I just don't see how that helped..and by last night's episode..it surely didn't....

I hope this season turns out better than it started...Good luck!

Luann, I am sorry about your divorce. Experts say that it is second to the feelings of having lost a loved one from death. To have it so public is very difficult as well, but I know you will somehow make it through each day one day at a time and will be stronger for it in the end. That which does not break us, makes us stronger. Now, as for Mario's comment it was thoughtless and a cheap shot, however honestly whenever a woman like Ramona.... "God love her",(I say with my eyes in the air)is approached like this she will get defensive. You wold be surprised by how many would be so defensive when a friend talks about their husband. I do think she could have handled it differently, but you women all have a history together and things get clouded, emotions get clouded. This usually happened with women anyways. I am going to say this, keep your head up, I do think you handle yourself well from the episodes cut that I have seen. I think you were off base with Bethenny and telling her she was forgiven for being late after driving 2 hours for drinks, that was unfair, but for the most part I like you. Keep being you!

You and Jill should not have ambushed Ramona on the boat about Mario's comment. You were there at her invitation and it wasn't the time or place. If you had to say something you should have done it privately at a more appropriate time. Having Jill there yapping at your heels made the whole thing more about bashing Ramona than anything else. I agree Mario's comment was insensitive but if it bothered you that much you should have spoken to him directly. What you and Jill did to Ramona was worse than what Mario said to you. Not nice at all and certainly not good manners.

Now that you've had a Count.... it's time for a billionaire!! You look great! & P.S. obviously Ramona is jealous that you were previously married to a titled aristocrat, because look at who she is married to... her husband couldn't be FARTHER from that reality!

Now that you've had a Count.... it's time for a billionaire!! You look great! & P.S. obviously Ramona is jealous that you were previously married to a titled aristocrat, because look at who she is married to... her husband couldn't be FARTHER from that reality!

LuAnn:

You are an amazing lady...stay positive not sure what's going on in your life now but I think you are right in your assessment of people. I love your daughter she's regal and gorgeous as well as your son. You don't need a man to shine! you are a classy and beautiful lady. Much luck and blessing to you! from the ATL :o)

Countess, best wishes to you. Your anxiety in this difficult transition period in your life is palpable. I truly hope that your heart's desire will be fulfilled and that you will continue to be a beacon of always trying to exemplify grace and dignity. We are all only human and no one ever achieves perfection. The most we can do is set a goal and move towards it, missteps and all. I think you are the personification of setting a standard and constantly striving to meet it. The world would be a much better place if we all followed your example.

Viewers never truly know everything about what is going on with all the housewives lives. That being said, two comments from last night's show shined a spotlight on who exactly Bethaney is. When you and Jill were in very dark and difficult places in your lives, she sent fruit baskets. That was pretty harsh and unfeeling. It said it all to me about who she is.

I just watched one of the clips from season 3..where Jill and you are discussing attending Romana's party... Jill is trying to get Romona to have Mario apoligize to you for the Countless comment...which after this clipseems so petty in comparison to the demeaning comments Romona starts spewing about your relationships with men prior to your divorce..I was actually taken aback that Jill allowed that to go on but even more shocked that you never spoke up in your own defense...why didnt' you???

Wow,not sure how to take the opener. I really think you guys have meeting's[lunches] to attack one another it's hard to watch such hatred between everyone,I feel stressed watching you bicker with everyone. Hope the season gets better!

I really like you, you're smart, beautiful and have so much to offer. However, you do not make someone else responsible for another persons behavior regardless of whether they are married. Ramona did nothing to you and you should not be putting her in the middle of whatever Mario said. Besides, it was not that evil...it was sarcastic humor. Let it go. Telling her to apologize for someone else is ridiculous. Its between you and him if you choose to go there. Why don't you know that already. Stop inviting drama into your life that doesn't need to be there.

Etiquette, at its heart, is about making people feel comfortable. Also, I would think that Countless must be an American citizen,therefore she never could be a genuine Countess.

It's only if your dating that who invites pays, when you're hanging out with your friends you go dutch unless friend expressly states they're paying. You were wrong to have assumed Bethany was to pay for the surfing lessons and the least you could've done was offered to pay your share.

And why would you expect Bethany to be there for you during your divorce when you guys aren't even good friends? Close friends should be there for you in really hard times, casual friends... don't know why you'd expect that. Makes no sense.

And it was SUPER tacky to bring up your grievance during the yacht party. It's abundantly clear that you only think manners count when it applies to how you're treated but not how you treat others.

Sorry for the emotional time you are going through. However, you should know better to stay away from Ramona, also known as 'crazy eyes'. The faces she makes makes you look at her and wonder what up with those eyes. Very scary. I don't think she has any class, her husband does not behave like a man but someone who wishes he was a woman. He thinks he is funny but very insensitive. Stay away from the both of them because you know that you can expect nothing but rude remarks topped with 'crazy eyes.' Best to stay outside of the box when it comes to those two. UGH!!!

I think your confrontation was pitiful. I have many girlfriends that I regularly invite to meet up for drinks or whatever. That does not mean I'm paying for everything. That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. I"m surprised you have any friends if you expect a free ride just to catch up on girl talk...