--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Intimacy is important in my work because…" description: "\"Intimacy is important in my work because I don't understand existence without intimacy. All of us are dependent on other people - and in ways we don't ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0eb/claudia-rankine-10349_asking_intimacy-is-important-in-my-work-because_1488856.png" --- # Intimacy is important in my work because I don't… ![“Intimacy is important in my work because I don't understand existence without intimacy. All of us are dependent on other people - and in ways we don't know. You cross the street and assume that person isn't crazy, they don't want to mow me down with their car. I don't know that person but I am…” quote by Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0eb/claudia-rankine-10349_asking_intimacy-is-important-in-my-work-because_1488856.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0eb/claudia-rankine-10349_asking_intimacy-is-important-in-my-work-because_1488856.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0eb/claudia-rankine-10349_asking_intimacy-is-important-in-my-work-because_1488856.png) > “Intimacy is important in my work because I don't understand existence without intimacy. All of us are dependent on other people - and in ways we don't know. You cross the street and assume that person isn't crazy, they don't want to mow me down with their car. I don't know that person but I am already in a relationship with them. I am asking them to abide by the traffic laws. If they decided not to, I'd be dead. Even in those anonymous ways, we're in relationships.” [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human existence is fundamentally relational; we rely on others even in fleeting, unseen interactions, shaping our sense of safety and meaning. **In simple terms:** We need others to exist and feel safe. Key Takeaway Recognize and honor everyday interdependence. Themes interdependence trust social responsibility existence vulnerability Mood reflective empathetic thoughtful Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - commuting - public spaces - workplace - online communities - family gatherings Key Concepts relational ontology social contract ethical awareness Questions to Reflect On - How do you acknowledge unseen bonds in daily life? - What responsibilities arise from recognizing interdependence? A Different Perspective Assuming others will follow rules can be risky; not all relationships are positive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Intimacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimacy/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) ## Related quotes > [I'm certainly not the first person to be in a relationship with a younger man, but somehow I was plucked out as a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-moore/i-m-certainly-not-the-first-person-to-be-in-a-relationship-with-a/) [Demi Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-moore/) > [But people find it very difficult to be a loving person, so they create a relationship - and befool that way that 'Now I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/but-people-find-it-very-difficult-to-be-a-loving-person-so-they/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [It can be difficult to understand a person we are in relationship with especially when sometimes we dont even understand ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/it-can-be-difficult-to-understand-a-person-we-are-in-relationship/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [What every single person or someone in a relationship wants is the complete truth! Not what you think they can handle, not which interpretation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-rutledge-jr/what-every-single-person-or-someone-in-a-relationship-wants-is-the/) [Merle Rutledge Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-rutledge-jr/) > [Never lose yourself in the process of trying to find someone to share your life with, because at the end of it all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jummai-abdullahi/never-lose-yourself-in-the-process-of-trying-to-find-someone-to-share/) [Jummai Abdullahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jummai-abdullahi/) > [The person that screams 'Single,' is usually the person that would do anything to be in a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-person-that-screams-single-is-usually-the-person-that-would-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't need anyone. Because I can do every single thing that a person in a relationship can. Everything. Even zip up my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz/i-don-t-need-anyone-because-i-can-do-every-single-thing-that-a-person/) [LIZ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz/) > [Ending it in person shows that you have respect for the person and the relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mazher/ending-it-in-person-shows-that-you-have-respect-for-the-person-and/) [Mazher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mazher/) > [You see, what I can't understand is how somebody have a life-time friend. Who they've been through thick and thin with and they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabolous/you-see-what-i-can-t-understand-is-how-somebody-have-a-life-time/) Fabolous > [Cheating is the most selfish thing a person can do in a relationship! 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You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-behrendt/the-best-thing-that-can-happen-in-a-relationship-is-when-you-are-the/) [Greg Behrendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-behrendt/) > [“The Rhythm of Relationships It’s not a mystery that there are certain people with whom we "click" and others with whom we don’t. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-rhythm-of-relationships-it-s-not-a-mystery-that-there-are-certain/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) ## More by Claudia Rankine > [I don't know about forgiving, but it's an "I'm still here." And it's not just because I have nowhere else to go. It's because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/i-don-t-know-about-forgiving-but-it-s-an-i-m-still-here-and-it-s-not/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [So you're just moving along and suddenly you get this moment that breaks your ability to continue, and yet you continue. I wanted those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/so-you-re-just-moving-along-and-suddenly-you-get-this-moment-that/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [“because white men can't police their imagination black people are dying”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/because-white-men-can-t-police-their-imagination-black-people-are/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [Whereas if you were writing an op-ed piece or an essay, somebody would be asking, "What's your point?" With poetry you can stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/whereas-if-you-were-writing-an-op-ed-piece-or-an-essay-somebody-would/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [Because white men can’t police their imaginations, black men are dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/because-white-men-can-t-police-their-imaginations-black-men-are-dying/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [Define loneliness? Yes. It's what we can't do for each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/define-loneliness-yes-it-s-what-we-can-t-do-for-each-other/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [I asked a lot of friends and people I'd meet, "Can you tell me a story of a micro-aggression that happened to you in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/i-asked-a-lot-of-friends-and-people-i-d-meet-can-you-tell-me-a-story/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [“The past is a life sentence, a blunt instrument aimed at tomorrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/the-past-is-a-life-sentence-a-blunt-instrument-aimed-at-tomorrow/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [The subject who speaks is situated in relation to the other. This privilege of the other ceases to be incomprehensible once we admit that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/the-subject-who-speaks-is-situated-in-relation-to-the-other-this/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [Where is the safest place when that place / must be someplace other than in the body?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/where-is-the-safest-place-when-that-place-must-be-someplace-other/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [The worst injury is feeling you don't belong so much / to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/the-worst-injury-is-feeling-you-don-t-belong-so-much-to-you/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [I’m not investigating race as much as I’m investigating intimacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/i-m-not-investigating-race-as-much-as-i-m-investigating-intimacy/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [I am invested in keeping present the forgotten bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/i-am-invested-in-keeping-present-the-forgotten-bodies/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [If you admit to being racist, it says you acknowledge that you are being driven by projections and stereotypes that were formed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/if-you-admit-to-being-racist-it-says-you-acknowledge-that-you-are/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [“I asked another friend what it's like being the mother of a black son. "The condition of black life is one of mourning," she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/i-asked-another-friend-what-it-s-like-being-the-mother-of-a-black-son/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) [Explore all 66 Claudia Rankine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) ## More Asking quotes > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Stop asking yourself how or why and tell yourself you can." - Charmainism”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-smith-ladd/stop-asking-yourself-how-or-why-and-tell-yourself-you-can-charmainism/) [Charmaine Smith Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-smith-ladd/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [People will identify with a persecuted minority without asking themselves what they are identifying with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/people-will-identify-with-a-persecuted-minority-without-asking/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [If you're having a bad day already and everybody is just asking you petty questions, it drives people to the edge, or something really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/if-you-re-having-a-bad-day-already-and-everybody-is-just-asking-you/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [You never give away your heart; you lend it from time to time. If it were not so, how could we take it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/you-never-give-away-your-heart-you-lend-it-from-time-to-time-if-it/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [I'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Use Google Before Asking A Stupid Question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muskaan/use-google-before-asking-a-stupid-question/) [Muskaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muskaan/) > [There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-were-people-asking-can-women-be-funny-people-still-ask-that-it/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Love cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/love-cannot-be-had-for-the-asking-it-comes-only-as-a-gift-from-the/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/the-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-something-every-player-dreams-about-but/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [“In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-such-a-regime-i-say-you-died-a-good-death-if-your-life-had/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) Browse all 3,313 Asking quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Intimacy is important in my work because I don't understand existence without intimacy. 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