--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the table next to me was a Japanese…" description: "\"“At the table next to me was a Japanese man surrounded by three fawning hostesses. He looked superficially youthful, with radiant, white teeth and blac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/barry-eisler-1009_aging_at-the-table-next-to-me-was-a-japanese-m_3045149.jpg" --- # At the table next to me was a Japanese man surrounded by… ![“At the table next to me was a Japanese man surrounded by three fawning hostesses. He looked superficially youthful, with radiant, white teeth and black hair swept back from a tanned face free of fissures. But I looked more closely and saw the appearance was ersatz. The hair was dyed; the tan…” quote by Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/barry-eisler-1009_aging_at-the-table-next-to-me-was-a-japanese-m_3045149.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/barry-eisler-1009_aging_at-the-table-next-to-me-was-a-japanese-m_3045149.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/barry-eisler-1009_aging_at-the-table-next-to-me-was-a-japanese-m_3045149.jpg) > ““At the table next to me was a Japanese man surrounded by three fawning hostesses. He looked superficially youthful, with radiant, white teeth and black hair swept back from a tanned face free of fissures. But I looked more closely and saw the appearance was ersatz. The hair was dyed; the tan courtesy of a sun lamp; the unseamed face likely the product of botox and surgery; the teeth porcelain caps. The chemicals and the knife, even the retinue of attractive young women with paid-for adoring smiles, all flimsy tools to prop up a shaky wall of denial about the inevitable indignities of aging and death.”” [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a woman's obsession with youth, using artificial enhancements to deny aging, revealing superficiality. **In simple terms:** Artificial beauty masks the reality of aging. Key Takeaway Question the value of superficial appearances. Themes aging beauty denial authenticity societal pressure Mood critical analytical Type cultural psychological When to use this quote - cosmetic surgery - social media - career advancement Key Concepts identity consumerism mortality Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to deny aging? - How does society reward youth? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine self‑acceptance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) [Appearance Ersatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearance-ersatz-5037875/) [Black hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-hair/) [Hostesses Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hostesses-looked-5037871/) [Indignities Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indignities-aging-5037873/) [Superficially Youthful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superficially-youthful-5037877/) [Tanned Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tanned-face-1437272/) [White teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-teeth/) ## Related quotes > [An answering smile drifted across his tanned face. "What is mine, I intend to keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/an-answering-smile-drifted-across-his-tanned-face-what-is-mine-i/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [Society: Every girl is beautiful. Fat girls: Really? Skinny girls: Really? Curvy girls: Really? Scene girls: Really? Preppy girls: Really? White girls: Really? Black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-morgan/society-every-girl-is-beautiful-fat-girls-really-skinny-girls-really/) [Harriet Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-morgan/) > [“I turned to find him grinning. “You need a shower, I need a shower, let’s save water by taking one together.” “When did you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/micalea-smeltzer/i-turned-to-find-him-grinning-you-need-a-shower-i-need-a-shower-let-s/) [Micalea Smeltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/micalea-smeltzer/) > [There were tons of bronzed Scandinavian types at the Sorbonne. Marvellously blond and healthy and shining white teeth. Funny thing though, because someone told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bingham/there-were-tons-of-bronzed-scandinavian-types-at-the-sorbonne/) [Charlotte Bingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bingham/) > [“It was terrible of you," Shanna pouted, but her eyes danced as they turned askance to meet his. "I could have left, you know.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-e-woodiwiss/it-was-terrible-of-you-shanna-pouted-but-her-eyes-danced-as-they/) [Kathleen E. Woodiwiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-e-woodiwiss/) > [I would never normally approach a woman in this way, but I couldn't help but notice that you have the eyes of a lady…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/i-would-never-normally-approach-a-woman-in-this-way-but-i-couldn-t/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“If loneliness or sadness or happiness could be expressed through food, loneliness would be basil. It’s not good for your stomach, dims your eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyung-ran-jo-2/if-loneliness-or-sadness-or-happiness-could-be-expressed-through-food/) [Kyung-Ran Jo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyung-ran-jo-2/) > [“To his amazement Doctor Thomas advanced into the midst of the market and began to preach. People gathered to listen. That was a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-wellman/to-his-amazement-doctor-thomas-advanced-into-the-midst-of-the-market/) [Sam Wellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-wellman/) > [The laughter in his deep-set black eyes, the feverish heat of his big hand around mine, the flash of his white teeth against his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/the-laughter-in-his-deep-set-black-eyes-the-feverish-heat-of-his-big/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“You see someone more interesting than me?" asked Simon. In the dream he was mysteriously an expert dance. He steered her through the crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-see-someone-more-interesting-than-me-asked-simon-in-the-dream-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Let me guess. Dark hair, brown eyes, great abs, white teeth, Abercrombie & Fitch.” “Close,” I say. “Light brown hair, correct on the eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/let-me-guess-dark-hair-brown-eyes-great-abs-white-teeth-abercrombie/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [“We should have a funeral," he said. Pan held his hands clasped in a tent on his lap, and he bowed his head. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-lynn-anderson/we-should-have-a-funeral-he-said-pan-held-his-hands-clasped-in-a-tent/) [Jodi Lynn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-lynn-anderson/) > [“Cooper,” she said. “Cooper Jax.” As if saying his name would someone break the spell, vanquish the mirage she was still faintly hoping she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/cooper-she-said-cooper-jax-as-if-saying-his-name-would-someone-break/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [“As we prepared for sleep that night I noticed that Lisa was staring at her reflection in the mirror. She looked as young now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-n-drake/as-we-prepared-for-sleep-that-night-i-noticed-that-lisa-was-staring/) [S.N. Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-n-drake/) > [“I think I’m under control, that I’ve stripped away all weaknesses. That committing to my mission has made me impervious. I’m wrong. The thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-think-i-m-under-control-that-i-ve-stripped-away-all-weaknesses-that/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) ## More by Barry Eisler > [“But, like all indulgences that are valued not just for their product but for their process, the sento will never entirely disappear. For in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/but-like-all-indulgences-that-are-valued-not-just-for-their-product/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“She’s a bargirl. You don’t know where her loyalties lie. That one was unconvincing. No one had directed her against me—I was the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/she-s-a-bargirl-you-don-t-know-where-her-loyalties-lie-that-one-was/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“In my unpleasant experience, unarmed against a knife, you’ve basically got four options. Your best bet is to run like hell, if you can.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/in-my-unpleasant-experience-unarmed-against-a-knife-you-ve-basically/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [The most important guideline when it comes to argument is the golden rule. If someone were addressing your point, what tone, what overall approach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/the-most-important-guideline-when-it-comes-to-argument-is-the-golden/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“That I was apparently into body building at all at this stage in my life probably meant affairs with young women, for whom a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/that-i-was-apparently-into-body-building-at-all-at-this-stage-in-my/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“Immediately the sounds of the street below grew detached, distant, the meaningless echoes of urban voices whose urgent notes reached but held no sway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/immediately-the-sounds-of-the-street-below-grew-detached-distant-the/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I heard laughter and looked up. Some kids at the terminal next to me, playing an online game. I wondered for a moment how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-heard-laughter-and-looked-up-some-kids-at-the-terminal-next-to-me/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I shifted my head slightly. The corners of our mouths brushed together. I felt her breath on my cheek. Then we were kissing. Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-shifted-my-head-slightly-the-corners-of-our-mouths-brushed-together/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I looked at her. Why was it her question seemed suffused with double entendre? She was attractive, of course, more than attractive, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-looked-at-her-why-was-it-her-question-seemed-suffused-with-double/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I realized my knowledge of that potentially damning evidence gave Delilah a reason to want me out of the way. “Out of the way”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-realized-my-knowledge-of-that-potentially-damning-evidence-gave/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I wouldn’t want to try to take this guy out with anything less than a scoped rifle. Which is something that’s hard to confuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-wouldn-t-want-to-try-to-take-this-guy-out-with-anything-less-than-a/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“I picked up the earthen cup and went to take a sip. “Not like that,” Miyamoto said. “Let it cool a little. Give yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/i-picked-up-the-earthen-cup-and-went-to-take-a-sip-not-like-that/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“It seemed he’d recently learned the value of playing up the difficulty of accomplishing whatever he was tasked with, the better to play the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/it-seemed-he-d-recently-learned-the-value-of-playing-up-the/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [“Yukiko walked over, her mouth stretching into a feline grin at the sight of Murakami. Naomi followed a moment later. She was wearing another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/yukiko-walked-over-her-mouth-stretching-into-a-feline-grin-at-the/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) > [It would be awesome to be so impressive that we could sway people to our way of thinking just by declaiming our thoughts, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/it-would-be-awesome-to-be-so-impressive-that-we-could-sway-people-to/) [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) [Explore all 305 Barry Eisler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) ## More Aging quotes > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/in-the-past-40-years-the-united-states-lost-more-than-a-million/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [We'll never be as young as we are tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/we-ll-never-be-as-young-as-we-are-tonight/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess: Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayer-of-an-anonymous-abbess-lord-thou-knowest-better-than-myself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [“You could see the signs of female aging as diseased, especially if you had a vested interest in making women too see them your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/you-could-see-the-signs-of-female-aging-as-diseased-especially-if-you/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [“It takes maturity to be able to laugh like a child again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moffat-machingura/it-takes-maturity-to-be-able-to-laugh-like-a-child-again/) [Moffat Machingura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moffat-machingura/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Growing old-it's not nice, but it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/growing-old-it-s-not-nice-but-it-s-interesting/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Anything is possible in the life of a man if he lives long enough. Even maturity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/anything-is-possible-in-the-life-of-a-man-if-he-lives-long-enough/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [I just want to be Patty McCormack. I want to spend every year aging the way she has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-varney/i-just-want-to-be-patty-mccormack-i-want-to-spend-every-year-aging/) [Janet Varney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-varney/) > [Maturity is reached the day we don't need to be lied to about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-yerby/maturity-is-reached-the-day-we-don-t-need-to-be-lied-to-about-anything/) [Frank Yerby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-yerby/) [Browse all 2,792 Aging quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At the table next to me was a Japanese man surrounded by three fawning hostesses. 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