--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How long are you going to wait for this…" description: "\"“How long are you going to wait for this guy?” I’m thrown by his sudden shift. “Ah . . . I don’t know.” “Give me your keys.” “What?” “Give me your keys..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg" --- # How long are you going to wait for this guy?” I’m thrown… ![“How long are you going to wait for this guy?” I’m thrown by his sudden shift. “Ah . . . I don’t know.” “Give me your keys.” “What?” “Give me your keys. I’m going to change your tire while we’re waiting.” I fish in my purse and come up with a handful of keys. “You’re going to—” “Stay in the car.”…” quote by Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg) > ““How long are you going to wait for this guy?” I’m thrown by his sudden shift. “Ah . . . I don’t know.” “Give me your keys.” “What?” “Give me your keys. I’m going to change your tire while we’re waiting.” I fish in my purse and come up with a handful of keys. “You’re going to—” “Stay in the car.” He grabs the keys and practically yanks them out of my fingers. Then he slams the door in my face. I watch him in the path of his headlights, mystified. He opens my trunk, and, moments later, emerges with the spare tire. He lays it beside the car, then pulls something else from the darkened space. I’ve never changed a tire, so I have no idea what he’s doing. His movements are quick and efficient, though. I shouldn’t be sitting here, just watching, but I can’t help myself. There’s something compelling about him. Dozens of cars have passed, but he was the only one to stop—and he’s helping me despite the fact that I’ve been less than kind to him all night. He gets down on the pavement—on the wet pavement, in the rain—and slides something under the car. A hand brushes wet hair off his face. I can’t sit here and watch him do this. He doesn’t look at me when I approach. “I told you to wait in the car.” “So you’re one of those guys? Thinks the ‘little woman’ should wait in the car?” “When the little woman doesn’t know her tires are bald and her battery could barely power a stopwatch?” He attaches a steel bar to . . . something . . . and starts twisting it. “Yeah. I am.” My pride flinches. “So what are you saying?” I ask, deadpan. “You don’t want my help?” His smile is rueful. “You’re kind of funny when you’re not so busy being judgmental.” “You’re lucky I’m not kicking you while you’re down there.” He loses the smile but keeps his eyes on whatever he’s doing. “Try it, sister.”” [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A stranger helps a woman with a tire in the rain, revealing themes of pride, judgment, and unexpected kindness. **In simple terms:** A stranger offers help despite being judged. Key Takeaway Reflect on pride and openness to help. Themes kindness pride judgment human connection rain Mood reflective thoughtful Type narrative conversational When to use this quote - roadside assistance - conflict resolution - self‑reflection - interpersonal dynamics Key Concepts empathy social interaction personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What would you do in a similar situation? - How does pride affect receiving help? A Different Perspective The stranger’s motives remain ambiguous. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Car Grabs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car-grabs-4868387/) [Car Guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car-guys-225136/) [Trunk Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trunk-moments-4868388/) [Wait Car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wait-car-3345635/) [Wait Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wait-guy-322186/) [Wet hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wet-hair/) ## Related quotes > [When he was with you, he was totally yours. 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This is exactly what I needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busch/it-s-just-that-fun-atmosphere-working-on-the-car-being-with-the-guys/) [Kurt Busch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busch/) > [Nvidia's self-driving-car business grew out of a long-standing relationship with auto companies. Car guys used Nvidia chips for computer-aided design, then used Nvidia supercomputer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lyons/nvidia-s-self-driving-car-business-grew-out-of-a-long-standing/) [Daniel Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lyons/) > [“So I don’t understand why the computer guys let others sell the follow-up memory, why the car guys let others sell the insurance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-j-slywotzky/so-i-don-t-understand-why-the-computer-guys-let-others-sell-the/) [Adrian J. Slywotzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-j-slywotzky/) > [A guy came to the shop every day. 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The one who would make you center of his universe..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wait-for-that-one-guy-who-would-do-anything-to-be-your-everything-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wait for the guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/wait-for-the-guy-who-calls-you-beautiful-instead-of-hot-who-calls-you/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [Don't be afraid to make the first move, I think especially as women. I always do that. We're always told that you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-dimoldenberg/don-t-be-afraid-to-make-the-first-move-i-think-especially-as-women-i/) [Amelia Dimoldenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-dimoldenberg/) > [Wait for the guy who would put you in the center of his universe because most likely he's already in the center of yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wait-for-the-guy-who-would-put-you-in-the-center-of-his-universe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Brigid Kemmerer > [“What is with you?” said Chris. “Don’t worry,” said Quinn. “I already know he’s an ass.” “Love you, too,” said Gabriel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/what-is-with-you-said-chris-don-t-worry-said-quinn-i-already-know-he/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“He offered to make-out with Hunter if it would prove that he's ok with me being gay." "Hmm," said Adam. 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How one movement could choke you and kill you, but another meant nothing more than a caress and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/touch-was-funny-like-that-how-one-movement-could-choke-you-and-kill/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“His expression changed, and he took a step back. He looked away. "When you said it was broken , you were just being-" "No!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/his-expression-changed-and-he-took-a-step-back-he-looked-away-when/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Kristin comes down the stairs, and the pressure on my chest snaps. I take a moment to turn away, inhaling deeply, blinking away tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/kristin-comes-down-the-stairs-and-the-pressure-on-my-chest-snaps-i/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Hunter stared back at him until Michael raised his eyebrows in a Dude, wtf? expression. Hunter shook himself. "Yeah. Sure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/hunter-stared-back-at-him-until-michael-raised-his-eyebrows-in-a-dude/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“She almost wished she smoked, so she could lie on the car’s hood, flick a lighter, and make up names for the constellations while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/she-almost-wished-she-smoked-so-she-could-lie-on-the-car-s-hood-flick/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [ “You're probably thinking I owe you my life."\[Chris\] "No." she \[Becca\] snapped. "Just sixty bucks." "You charge for the hero act?" \[Chris\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/you-re-probably-thinking-i-owe-you-my-life-chris-no-she-becca-snapped/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Scared of storms?” She jumped. The voice had come from behind her, and she forced her hands to her sides, ready to feign nonchalance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/scared-of-storms-she-jumped-the-voice-had-come-from-behind-her-and/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Before their final trip, Hunter's father had imparted one last lesson, and death had made it stick: Use them before they use you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/before-their-final-trip-hunter-s-father-had-imparted-one-last-lesson/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Becca watched New Kid work the cutlery. “Bet you wish you’d given up your seat now, huh?” “Oh.” Quinn settled back on the bench…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/becca-watched-new-kid-work-the-cutlery-bet-you-wish-you-d-given-up/) [Brigid Kemmerer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-kemmerer/) > [“Nick's eyes were like ice. 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I’m going to change your tire while we’re waiting.” I fish in my purse and come up with a handful of keys. “You’re going to—” “Stay in the car.” He grabs the keys and practically yanks them out of my fingers. Then he slams the door in my face. I watch him in the path of his headlights, mystified. He opens my trunk, and, moments later, emerges with the spare tire. He lays it beside the car, then pulls something else from the darkened space. I’ve never changed a tire, so I have no idea what he’s doing. His movements are quick and efficient, though. I shouldn’t be sitting here, just watching, but I can’t help myself. There’s something compelling about him. Dozens of cars have passed, but he was the only one to stop—and he’s helping me despite the fact that I’ve been less than kind to him all night. He gets down on the pavement—on the wet pavement, in the rain—and slides something under the car. A hand brushes wet hair off his face. I can’t sit here and watch him do this. He doesn’t look at me when I approach. “I told you to wait in the car.” “So you’re one of those guys? Thinks the ‘little woman’ should wait in the car?” “When the little woman doesn’t know her tires are bald and her battery could barely power a stopwatch?” He attaches a steel bar to . . . something . . . and starts twisting it. “Yeah. I am.” My pride flinches. “So what are you saying?” I ask, deadpan. “You don’t want my help?” His smile is rueful. “You’re kind of funny when you’re not so busy being judgmental.” “You’re lucky I’m not kicking you while you’re down there.” He loses the smile but keeps his eyes on whatever he’s doing. “Try it, sister.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brigid Kemmerer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this-guy-i-m-thrown-by-his-sudden/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Wet hair" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-kemmerer/how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this-guy-i-m-thrown-by-his-sudden/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d2/brigid-kemmerer-2470_quote_how-long-are-you-going-to-wait-for-this_2206432.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“How long are you going to wait for this guy?” I’m thrown by his sudden shift. “Ah . . . 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