But, you see, what I like about you is not that you feel…
““But, you see, what I like about you is not that you feel foreign. And I don't think you ever did feel entirely foreign. But I like the fact that something about you still resists, refuses to become familiar, remains invincibly foreign. And it means that when I'm with you, I'm always rubbing up against a foreign element, something mysterious, irreducible, ever present, and full of happiness…It makes the way you walk and some of the things you do feel foreign to me for a moment. Your voice, on the end of the phone, from time to time: foreign. Your perfume, its vetiver fragrance, your own delicate smell: both foreign. Your subtly sinuous thought processes are so foreign to my own meanderings, and yet clearer and sharper. Of course you are not a foreigner, but how I value this foreignness in you. Perhaps keeping that foreign element is the secret.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He values the persistent sense of otherness in a loved one, seeing it as a source of mystery, joy, and deeper connection.
In simple terms: He appreciates a partner’s enduring uniqueness.
Key Takeaway
Cherish the unfamiliar qualities that keep relationships fresh.
Themes
love
identity
otherness
intimacy
Mood
reflective
romantic
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- long‑term partnership
- cultural differences
- personal discovery
- embracing uniqueness
Key Concepts
foreignness
mystery
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “foreignness” add to intimacy?
- How can we honor differences without alienation?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on foreignness may create distance if not balanced with acceptance.