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After college, I went to San Francisco and worked as a…

“After college, I went to San Francisco and worked as a secretary in a reinsurance company. That was a pretty dismal job. It was a real small place. Guys would come in, and they'd sort of stick out their arms like wings so I could take their coats off. They'd tell me, 'Two,' and I'd put two lumps…” quote by William T. Vollmann
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“After college, I went to San Francisco and worked as a secretary in a reinsurance company. That was a pretty dismal job. It was a real small place. Guys would come in, and they'd sort of stick out their arms like wings so I could take their coats off. They'd tell me, 'Two,' and I'd put two lumps of sugar in their coffee.”

William T. Vollmann

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A modest, dreary job after college, marked by repetitive tasks and odd workplace rituals.

In simple terms: A low‑pay, unfulfilling post‑college job.

Key Takeaway

Find meaning beyond routine work.

Themes

career monotony identity growth

Mood

reflective melancholy

Type

personal observational

When to use this quote

  • first job
  • office life
  • career planning

Key Concepts

employment routine social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What did you learn about yourself?
  • How can mundane work shape future choices?
A Different Perspective

Limited perspective; may overlook broader socioeconomic factors.

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