Viewers the world over love Downton Abbey. Dame Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess is also a fan favorite, gaining audiences' love through her cutting retorts. Some of her quips can help you deal with relatives during the holidays. Have a relative that won't stop talking about how we're all doomed? ?Don?t be defeatist dear. It is very middle class.? Dealing with a drunk relative who's a getting a bit blue? "Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.