--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: About California... \"I thought it was an…" description: "\"About California... \"I thought it was an appalling place. Then I went through a period of being amused by it. Now it's sort of both. Californians don't..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/alex-kingston-15241_alex_about-california-i-thought-it-was-an-app_839847.png" --- # About California... "I thought it was an appalling place… ![“About California... "I thought it was an appalling place. Then I went through a period of being amused by it. Now it's sort of both. Californians don't have that marvelous British cynicism, but then the British can be so patronizing at times.” quote by Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/alex-kingston-15241_alex_about-california-i-thought-it-was-an-app_839847.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/alex-kingston-15241_alex_about-california-i-thought-it-was-an-app_839847.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/alex-kingston-15241_alex_about-california-i-thought-it-was-an-app_839847.png) > “About California... "I thought it was an appalling place. Then I went through a period of being amused by it. Now it's sort of both. Californians don't have that marvelous British cynicism, but then the British can be so patronizing at times.” [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initial disdain turns into nuanced appreciation, highlighting how lived experience reshapes perception of a place. **In simple terms:** First impressions can change with experience. Key Takeaway Stay open to evolving views of places. Themes perception place identity cultural contrast Mood reflective balanced Type observation personal When to use this quote - relocating - travel - long‑term residency - cultural immersion Key Concepts regional stereotypes personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How did your view of California evolve? - What factors shift our judgments? A Different Perspective Preconceptions may linger despite new insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) [Californians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/californians/) [Cynicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) [Patronizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patronizing/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [About California... "I thought it was an appalling place. Then I went through a period of being amused by it. Now it's sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/about-california-i-thought-it-was-an-appalling-place-then-i-went-2/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [Californians don't have that marvelous British cynicism, but then the British can be so patronizing at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/californians-don-t-have-that-marvelous-british-cynicism-but-then-the/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I suppose I miss the British cynicism and the humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/i-suppose-i-miss-the-british-cynicism-and-the-humor/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [When anybody goes to L.A. from London, there's always this slight sense of, 'What are you doing? Who do you think you are? It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-weeks/when-anybody-goes-to-l-a-from-london-there-s-always-this-slight-sense/) [Ed Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-weeks/) > [Los Angeles was an impression of failure, of disappointment, of despair, and of oddly makeshift lives. This is California? I thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-barbera/los-angeles-was-an-impression-of-failure-of-disappointment-of-despair/) [Joseph Barbera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-barbera/) > [ “For instance, there's a college in northern California called Chico State, which is where guys like Reagan and Shultz \[Reagan's Secretary of State\] send… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/for-instance-there-s-a-college-in-northern-california-called-chico/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I lived in Arizona, and I thought Florida was in California because I thought oranges came from the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rubin/i-lived-in-arizona-and-i-thought-florida-was-in-california-because-i/) Jennifer Rubin > [Public opinion has been evolving nationwide when it comes to marijuana policy, and Californians have always been ahead of the curve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kampia/public-opinion-has-been-evolving-nationwide-when-it-comes-to/) Rob Kampia > [Californians are good at planning for the earthquake, while simultaneously denying it will happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/californians-are-good-at-planning-for-the-earthquake-while/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [Ultimately, of course, there is no excuse for being fat in this culture. It's the one last prejudice we allow ourselves, the final frontier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-rodgers/ultimately-of-course-there-is-no-excuse-for-being-fat-in-this-culture/) [Joni Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-rodgers/) > [California deserves whatever it gets. Californians invented the concept of life-style. This alone warrants their doom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/california-deserves-whatever-it-gets-californians-invented-the/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [You don't need it, but will you take some advice from a Californian who's been around for a while? Cherish these rivers. Witness for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-brower/you-don-t-need-it-but-will-you-take-some-advice-from-a-californian/) [David R. Brower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-r-brower/) > [Californians invented the concept of life-style. This alone warrants their doom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/californians-invented-the-concept-of-life-style-this-alone-warrants/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [I've lived in California for half of my life. It's weird, everyone thinks of me as this guy who's from the South ... I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-ve-lived-in-california-for-half-of-my-life-it-s-weird-everyone/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/for-the-hundreds-of-thousands-of-californians-in-gay-and-lesbian/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) ## More by Alex Kingston > [I think I'm an extremely good mother. I know I'm an extremely good mother. But I didn't realise how much it sucks out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-think-i-m-an-extremely-good-mother-i-know-i-m-an-extremely-good/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I don't think my looks are modern. I always imagined I'd end up doing Chekhov, Ibsen and Shakespeare all my life and never play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-don-t-think-my-looks-are-modern-i-always-imagined-i-d-end-up-doing/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I'm actually very vulnerable and sensitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-m-actually-very-vulnerable-and-sensitive/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I enjoyed my schooldays, but I thought, 'I've got to get through it, and then my life can start.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-enjoyed-my-schooldays-but-i-thought-i-ve-got-to-get-through-it-and/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [Most Americans don't even know that Minnie Driver is English or that Catherine Zeta Jones is Welsh, but people are reminded every time 'ER'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/most-americans-don-t-even-know-that-minnie-driver-is-english-or-that/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I have a computer and an iPad, but I have no interest in Twitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-have-a-computer-and-an-ipad-but-i-have-no-interest-in-twitter/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I went through about 13 rounds of IVF before I got pregnant with Salome; it was very tough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-went-through-about-13-rounds-of-ivf-before-i-got-pregnant-with/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [Cleopatra is one of the roles that I would love to do!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/cleopatra-is-one-of-the-roles-that-i-would-love-to-do/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [It's wrong for women to be constantly shy and embarrassed about their bodies. There are so many images of unattainable beauty that are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/it-s-wrong-for-women-to-be-constantly-shy-and-embarrassed-about-their/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [Children's programming in America, I think it's pretty shoddy in terms of lack of diversity. It's pretty much cartoons and Disney sort of shows.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/children-s-programming-in-america-i-think-it-s-pretty-shoddy-in-terms/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [The truth is, I'm not a coper. I hate stress. I might appear calm externally but internally it's all going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/the-truth-is-i-m-not-a-coper-i-hate-stress-i-might-appear-calm/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [Californians don't have that marvelous British cynicism, but then the British can be so patronizing at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/californians-don-t-have-that-marvelous-british-cynicism-but-then-the/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [For premieres, you get designers offering to dress you for the evening, which is nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/for-premieres-you-get-designers-offering-to-dress-you-for-the-evening/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [I will always wear what I want and have some fun doing it. I'm not afraid to take risks with my appearance. I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/i-will-always-wear-what-i-want-and-have-some-fun-doing-it-i-m-not/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) > [Social media worries me because it's not part of my world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kingston/social-media-worries-me-because-it-s-not-part-of-my-world/) [Alex Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) [Explore all 43 Alex Kingston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kingston/) ## More Alex quotes > [“I may be the one leaving, but you’re the one giving up everything and walking away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loni-flowers/i-may-be-the-one-leaving-but-you-re-the-one-giving-up-everything-and/) [Loni Flowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loni-flowers/) > [“At least when I'm sleeping I can dream myself back to Alex, can dream myself into a different world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/at-least-when-i-m-sleeping-i-can-dream-myself-back-to-alex-can-dream/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [I am actually working on The Neighbors sitcom. We are starting from scratch. I am also working on a comedy movie and a vampire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-wiseau/i-am-actually-working-on-the-neighbors-sitcom-we-are-starting-from/) [Tommy Wiseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-wiseau/) > [“Something’s up,’ I say, handing the phone back. ‘Not necessarily,’ Jack says. ‘You think this is the first time Lila’s been hot-headed? Seriously, dude,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alderson/something-s-up-i-say-handing-the-phone-back-not-necessarily-jack-says/) [Sarah Alderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alderson/) > [Alex: Rosie, I wanted you to be the first person to no that I’ve decided to become a heart surgeon! Rosie: Cool, does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/alex-rosie-i-wanted-you-to-be-the-first-person-to-no-that-i-ve/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“I breathed in the memory of his lips, the softness of them, and how they felt tracing across my skin, leaving ripples of goosebumps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alderson/i-breathed-in-the-memory-of-his-lips-the-softness-of-them-and-how/) [Sarah Alderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alderson/) > [ I remember having some problems with \[the Deus Ex theme\] when I first heard it and I was trying to figure out how to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-spector/i-remember-having-some-problems-with-the-deus-ex-theme-when-i-first/) [Warren Spector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-spector/) > [You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/you-knew-where-you-stood-with-sir-alex-ferguson/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [“Welcome home, Soldier of Furnace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/welcome-home-soldier-of-furnace/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“It’s not great. What kind of connection is this? A one-way hotline to Pervyville?” I took a step forward, on a roll now. “It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/it-s-not-great-what-kind-of-connection-is-this-a-one-way-hotline-to/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [He read a lot. He used a lot of big words. I think maybe part of what got him into trouble was that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/he-read-a-lot-he-used-a-lot-of-big-words-i-think-maybe-part-of-what/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [Your name?"The movements of the man's mouth didn't quite match what he was saying, so seeing him speak was a bit like watching a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/your-name-the-movements-of-the-man-s-mouth-didn-t-quite-match-what-he/) [Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/) > [Dora appeared, placing Alex's coffee in front of him."Your girlfriend is a wonder, honey,"she siad to him, squeezing willows shoulder. Willow's smile turned strained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dora-appeared-placing-alex-s-coffee-in-front-of-him-your-girlfriend/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do have high expectations for Alex Riley. He seems athletic, articulate and intelligent. Only time will tell how far he goes, but Riley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ross/i-do-have-high-expectations-for-alex-riley-he-seems-athletic/) [Jim Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ross/) > [“I mean, contrary to popular belief, I'm actually not harboring a secret desire to grow up and become a bioterrorist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-norris/i-mean-contrary-to-popular-belief-i-m-actually-not-harboring-a-secret/) [Elizabeth Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-norris/) Browse all 479 Alex quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "About California... \"I thought it was an appalling place. Then I went through a period of being amused by it. Now it's sort of both. 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