David-sedaris Quote by David Sedaris
““Traveling across the United States, it's easy to see why Americans are often thought of as stupid. At the San Diego Zoo, right near the primate habitats, there's a display featuring half a dozen life-size gorillas made out of bronze. Posted nearby is a sign reading CAUTION: GORILLA STATUES MAY BE HOT. Everywhere you turn, the obvious is being stated. CANNON MAY BE LOUD. MOVING SIDEWALK ABOUT TO END. To people who don't run around suing one another, such signs suggest a crippling lack of intelligence. Place bronze statues beneath the southern California sun, and of course they're going to get hot. Cannons are supposed to be loud, that's their claim to fame, and - like it or not - the moving sidewalk is bound to end sooner or later. It's hard trying to explain a country whose motto has become You can't claim I didn't warn you. What can you say about the family who is suing the railroad after their drunk son was killed walking on the tracks? This pretty much sums up my trip to Texas.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris, 2000
The author satirically critiques American signage and legal culture, suggesting that obvious warnings reflect a perceived lack of common sense.
In simple terms: Obvious warnings imply low intelligence.
Question assumptions about cultural norms.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- road trips
- legal disputes
- public safety signage
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do signs shape behavior?
- Do warnings reflect or create perceived stupidity?
The humor may oversimplify complex regional differences.