--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Carter: \"Dude, I don't know why it works…" description: "\"“Carter: \"Dude, I don't know why it works, it just does. [...] Just pretend you're not into 'em and then ask a question. What's the worst that could ha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg" --- # Carter: "Dude, I don't know why it works, it just does… ![“Carter: "Dude, I don't know why it works, it just does. [...] Just pretend you're not into 'em and then ask a question. What's the worst that could happen?" EJ makes eye contact with the smallest one, off to the side. [...] She looks up at EJ and gives him the nicest smile. He pulls the trigger…” quote by Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg) > ““Carter: "Dude, I don't know why it works, it just does. \[...\] Just pretend you're not into 'em and then ask a question. What's the worst that could happen?" EJ makes eye contact with the smallest one, off to the side. \[...\] She looks up at EJ and gives him the nicest smile. He pulls the trigger and yells, "You think you're hot stuff, don't you?" What the...? Where are you going with this? "Excuse me?" she replies, kind of sweetly. EJ asks, "You think you're cool, don't you? Where did you get that shirt, the Salvation Army? What the hell is with your hair? My eyes are as big as basketballs as he fires one mean-ass question after another at her. "You don't have a boyfriend, do you?" he continues. It's like he's armed with self-esteem killer. "Did your parents have any kids that lived?" EJ asks. The girls starts to buckle, and tears are on the way. "Are these your friends, or are they like, counselors here to observe you?" EJ shouts. \[...\] He asks, "Does your grandma know you borrowed her shoes?" as I drag him away. The girl is crying pretty hard, and her friends are trying to console her. \[...\] "Man, that didn't do very well. What do you think I did wrong?" EJ asks. "Are you serious?" I ask "I was just doing what you told me to," he replies. "I-I-I told you to go up to that girl and start abusing her?" I ask. "You said to ask her questions and pretend I didn't like her!" he yells back. "Pretend YOU'RE NOT INTO HER!" I clarify. "Not that you hate her and wish she would die! Good God, that girl thought she was gonna get a boyfriend when you walked up, not years of therapy." "Do you think I still have a shot?" he asks "NO, I don't!" I bark”” [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Aggressive questioning can be used to intimidate, but it often reveals the asker’s own insecurities and can cause emotional harm. **In simple terms:** Harsh questions can hurt and show the asker’s own issues. Key Takeaway Use curiosity kindly, not as a weapon. Themes communication power dynamics emotional intelligence bullying self‑awareness Mood critical defensive reflective Type advice psychological When to use this quote - workplace feedback - dating - school debates - online forums - family discussions Key Concepts psychology social interaction conflict resolution Questions to Reflect On - Why do you feel the need to attack? - How could you ask the same question more respectfully? A Different Perspective Such tactics can damage relationships and trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ask A Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-a-question/) [Eye contact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-contact/) [Hot Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot-stuff/) [Salvation army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salvation-army/) ## Related quotes > [“EJ cries, "We've been best friends since kindergarten. You can't become a babe slayer and leave me in the dust! I don't have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/ej-cries-we-ve-been-best-friends-since-kindergarten-you-can-t-become/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“Lynn looks up at him to see if he's serious. "What?" he asks her. "If anybody is gonna put Carter's head through the wall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/lynn-looks-up-at-him-to-see-if-he-s-serious-what-he-asks-her-if/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“You did too! You stole my bike, A-HOLE!" I yell out. Jeez, I'm like a Chatty Cathy Doll: just pull my string and I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/you-did-too-you-stole-my-bike-a-hole-i-yell-out-jeez-i-m-like-a/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“Ohhh, OH no you didn't!" he screams. "Nobody touches the TERRY!" Then he starts punching himself in he face. This kid really is crazy!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/ohhh-oh-no-you-didn-t-he-screams-nobody-touches-the-terry-then-he/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [ “Well, you know, I might try out for the musical," I say real quick. \[...\] She nods and says, "You should. We need guys."… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/well-you-know-i-might-try-out-for-the-musical-i-say-real-quick-she/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [It was cool to meet Cris Carter. That dude has some of the best hands to have played the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/it-was-cool-to-meet-cris-carter-that-dude-has-some-of-the-best-hands/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) ## More by Brent Crawford > [“These kids are all trying so hard to be weird. I'm genuinely weird, so I can spot the effort a mile away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/these-kids-are-all-trying-so-hard-to-be-weird-i-m-genuinely-weird-so/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“You did too! You stole my bike, A-HOLE!" I yell out. Jeez, I'm like a Chatty Cathy Doll: just pull my string and I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/you-did-too-you-stole-my-bike-a-hole-i-yell-out-jeez-i-m-like-a/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“Ohhh, OH no you didn't!" he screams. "Nobody touches the TERRY!" Then he starts punching himself in he face. This kid really is crazy!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/ohhh-oh-no-you-didn-t-he-screams-nobody-touches-the-terry-then-he/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“... my heart skips a beat. Seriously, like a CD from the public library, it goes ZZebbTTT and skips.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/my-heart-skips-a-beat-seriously-like-a-cd-from-the-public-library-it/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“Bicycles are way cooler than motorcycles. You get exercise and peace and quiet, and you're not destroying the environment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/bicycles-are-way-cooler-than-motorcycles-you-get-exercise-and-peace/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“EJ cries, "We've been best friends since kindergarten. You can't become a babe slayer and leave me in the dust! I don't have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/ej-cries-we-ve-been-best-friends-since-kindergarten-you-can-t-become/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“So I think when you tap into something that you really want to do, you have to fight for it, even if the fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/so-i-think-when-you-tap-into-something-that-you-really-want-to-do-you/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“I’m probably sterile. At least I can stop worrying about getting girls pregnant (if I ever get to have sex with them). Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/i-m-probably-sterile-at-least-i-can-stop-worrying-about-getting-girls/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [ “Well, you know, I might try out for the musical," I say real quick. \[...\] She nods and says, "You should. We need guys."… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/well-you-know-i-might-try-out-for-the-musical-i-say-real-quick-she/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“There's nothing like being called a feminine hygiene product to keep you from crying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/there-s-nothing-like-being-called-a-feminine-hygiene-product-to-keep/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“My life would be a lot easier if I enjoyed it more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/my-life-would-be-a-lot-easier-if-i-enjoyed-it-more/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“The last thing I need is for my dad to stroll in and see me abusing myself to lighting-fast pornographic images.Military school will become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/the-last-thing-i-need-is-for-my-dad-to-stroll-in-and-see-me-abusing/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) > [“Lynn looks up at him to see if he's serious. "What?" he asks her. "If anybody is gonna put Carter's head through the wall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/lynn-looks-up-at-him-to-see-if-he-s-serious-what-he-asks-her-if/) [Brent Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) [Explore all 14 Brent Crawford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-crawford/) ## More Carter quotes > [I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-that-i-ve-spent-trying-to/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Benny Carter came up to me and said to me, "You know, in the whole history of the alto, I think Phil is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/benny-carter-came-up-to-me-and-said-to-me-you-know-in-the-whole/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [Trying to make it from the bottom. His sins Feeling as hard as Vince Carter's knee cartilage is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/trying-to-make-it-from-the-bottom-his-sins-feeling-as-hard-as-vince/) [Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/) > [ \[A\]n Obama presidency would be an amusing approximation of the Carter administration, complete with vaporous moralizing and foreign policy bungling. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmett-tyrrell/a-n-obama-presidency-would-be-an-amusing-approximation-of-the-carter/) [Emmett Tyrrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmett-tyrrell/) > [When I worked in the White House for President Carter, we tried to do comprehensive tax reform and we made some progress, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rubenstein/when-i-worked-in-the-white-house-for-president-carter-we-tried-to-do/) [David Rubenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rubenstein/) > [They know where Carter at, straight off the launchin pad marching on the moon muthafuka I've been to Mars and back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/they-know-where-carter-at-straight-off-the-launchin-pad-marching-on/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [ I've kept the people who've been in my career who I feel are my family. Kathy \[Kennedy\] had been with me since 1978. Janusz… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-ve-kept-the-people-who-ve-been-in-my-career-who-i-feel-are-my/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [ Here's a foolproof method for keeping America safe. Always do the exact 180-degree opposite of whatever \[Jimmy\] Carter says, as quickly as possible. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/here-s-a-foolproof-method-for-keeping-america-safe-always-do-the/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“Time crawls in the silence. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tock. Tock. Tock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-mckay/time-crawls-in-the-silence-tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock-tock-tock/) [Emily McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-mckay/) > [No doubt the ridiculous politicians are right to like politics. They have found careers in which success can be achieved by being ridiculous. Imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/no-doubt-the-ridiculous-politicians-are-right-to-like-politics-they/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Over the weekend, former Enron executives Jeffrey Skilling and Rebecca Carter married each other during a huge ceremony in Houston. The happy couple is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/over-the-weekend-former-enron-executives-jeffrey-skilling-and-rebecca/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [Look at what Jimmy Carter did. Look at the risks he took for a country that wasn't his. Israel has benefited unbelievably from that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-wright/look-at-what-jimmy-carter-did-look-at-the-risks-he-took-for-a-country/) [Lawrence Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-wright/) > [After my bad experience as a kite, I simply refused to go about as a glowing Sadie-headed chicken. That’s fine for Carter, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/after-my-bad-experience-as-a-kite-i-simply-refused-to-go-about-as-a/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [- "Women should all move to Amazonia, or at least vacation there four times a year." - "Amazonia?" - "It's the girl world in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/women-should-all-move-to-amazonia-or-at-least-vacation-there-four/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [“Mine own people do not care for me, John Carter; I am too unlike them. It is a sad fate, since I must live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-rice-burroughs/mine-own-people-do-not-care-for-me-john-carter-i-am-too-unlike-them/) [Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-rice-burroughs/) Browse all 437 Carter quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Carter: \"Dude, I don't know why it works, it just does. [...] Just pretend you're not into 'em and then ask a question. What's the worst that could happen?\" EJ makes eye contact with the smallest one, off to the side. [...] She looks up at EJ and gives him the nicest smile. He pulls the trigger and yells, \"You think you're hot stuff, don't you?\" What the...? Where are you going with this? \"Excuse me?\" she replies, kind of sweetly. EJ asks, \"You think you're cool, don't you? Where did you get that shirt, the Salvation Army? What the hell is with your hair? My eyes are as big as basketballs as he fires one mean-ass question after another at her. \"You don't have a boyfriend, do you?\" he continues. It's like he's armed with self-esteem killer. \"Did your parents have any kids that lived?\" EJ asks. The girls starts to buckle, and tears are on the way. \"Are these your friends, or are they like, counselors here to observe you?\" EJ shouts. [...] He asks, \"Does your grandma know you borrowed her shoes?\" as I drag him away. The girl is crying pretty hard, and her friends are trying to console her. [...] \"Man, that didn't do very well. What do you think I did wrong?\" EJ asks. \"Are you serious?\" I ask \"I was just doing what you told me to,\" he replies. \"I-I-I told you to go up to that girl and start abusing her?\" I ask. \"You said to ask her questions and pretend I didn't like her!\" he yells back. \"Pretend YOU'RE NOT INTO HER!\" I clarify. \"Not that you hate her and wish she would die! Good God, that girl thought she was gonna get a boyfriend when you walked up, not years of therapy.\" \"Do you think I still have a shot?\" he asks \"NO, I don't!\" I bark”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brent Crawford" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it-just-does-just-pretend-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Carter" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-crawford/carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it-just-does-just-pretend-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89f/brent-crawford-33516_carter_carter-dude-i-don-t-know-why-it-works-it_3197749.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Carter: \"Dude, I don't know why it works, it just does. 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