--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Potential boyfriends could not smoke…" description: "\"“Potential boyfriends could not smoke Merit cigarettes, own or wear a pair of cowboy boots, or eat anything labeled either lite or heart smart. Speech ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/602/david-sedaris-333_cowboy-boot_potential-boyfriends-could-not-smoke-mer_970820.png" --- # Potential boyfriends could not smoke Merit cigarettes, own… ![“Potential boyfriends could not smoke Merit cigarettes, own or wear a pair of cowboy boots, or eat anything labeled either lite or heart smart. Speech was important, and disqualifying phrases included “I can’t find my nipple ring” and “This one here was my first tattoo.” All street names had to be…” quote by David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/602/david-sedaris-333_cowboy-boot_potential-boyfriends-could-not-smoke-mer_970820.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/602/david-sedaris-333_cowboy-boot_potential-boyfriends-could-not-smoke-mer_970820.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/602/david-sedaris-333_cowboy-boot_potential-boyfriends-could-not-smoke-mer_970820.png) > ““Potential boyfriends could not smoke Merit cigarettes, own or wear a pair of cowboy boots, or eat anything labeled either lite or heart smart. Speech was important, and disqualifying phrases included “I can’t find my nipple ring” and “This one here was my first tattoo.” All street names had to be said in full, meaning no “Fifty-ninth and Lex,” and definitely no “Mad Ave.” They couldn’t drink more than I did, couldn’t write poetry in notebooks and read it out loud to an audience of strangers, and couldn’t use the words flick, freebie, cyberspace, progressive, or zeitgeist. . . . Age, race, weight were unimportant. In terms of mutual interests, I figured we could spend the rest of our lives discussing how much we hated the aforementioned characteristics.”” [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator lists absurd, hyper‑specific criteria for a partner, satirizing modern dating culture’s obsession with perfection and identity politics. **In simple terms:** Ridiculous dating rules mock superficial expectations. Key Takeaway Embrace authenticity over impossible standards. Themes dating satire identity culture relationships Mood wry ironic reflective Type satirical observational When to use this quote - online dating - first dates - friendship building - self‑reflection - social media profiling Key Concepts hyperbole social critique personal standards Questions to Reflect On - What standards do you truly value in a partner? - How does satire reveal hidden biases? A Different Perspective The humor may overlook genuine challenges people face in finding compatible partners. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Couldn Drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couldn-drink-787927/) [Couldn Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couldn-write/) [Cowboy boot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowboy-boot/) [Discussing Hated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussing-hated-1861897/) [Mutual interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mutual-interest/) [Names Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names-said-1861898/) [Phrases Included](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases-included-1861899/) ## Related quotes > [“Freedom was what we had. Nobody told us when to go to bed. Nobody told us to do our homework. Nobody told us we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/freedom-was-what-we-had-nobody-told-us-when-to-go-to-bed-nobody-told/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Centerfold bitches prolly couldn't get a drink up out me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wale/centerfold-bitches-prolly-couldn-t-get-a-drink-up-out-me/) [Wale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wale/) > [I've always hated being hemmed in or seeing anybody being hemmed in. Even when I was the smallest child, I couldn't bear being told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/i-ve-always-hated-being-hemmed-in-or-seeing-anybody-being-hemmed-in/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [“She ordered a martini and encouraged me to, but said she couldn't drink it with her medication. She just liked seeing it in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ford/she-ordered-a-martini-and-encouraged-me-to-but-said-she-couldn-t/) [Richard Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ford/) > [During the night, while Bull and Lucy slept, Edward, with ever-open eyes, stared up at the constellations. He said their names, and then he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/during-the-night-while-bull-and-lucy-slept-edward-with-ever-open-eyes/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [When we walked out of that hospital, we had a birth certificate with our names on it that said: 'Father one and father two,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/when-we-walked-out-of-that-hospital-we-had-a-birth-certificate-with/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [“I didn't know unicorns had names," I said. "I didn't know they ever loved people." "They don't. Only this one." He turned and walked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/i-didn-t-know-unicorns-had-names-i-said-i-didn-t-know-they-ever-loved/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Cats don’t have names,” it said. “No?” said Coraline. “No,” said the cat. “Now, you people have names. That’s because you don’t know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/cats-don-t-have-names-it-said-no-said-coraline-no-said-the-cat-now/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [What's your name,' Coraline asked the cat. 'Look, I'm Coraline. Okay?' 'Cats don't have names,' it said. 'No?' said Coraline. 'No,' said the cat.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-s-your-name-coraline-asked-the-cat-look-i-m-coraline-okay-cats/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [True names,” said September wonderingly. “These are all true names. Like, when your parents call you to dinner and you don’t come and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/true-names-said-september-wonderingly-these-are-all-true-names-like/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Building a good, stable, and productive China-U.S. relationship is in our mutual interest of our two countries and our two peoples, and also contributes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hu-jintao/building-a-good-stable-and-productive-china-u-s-relationship-is-in/) [Hu Jintao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hu-jintao/) > [We look at the world and analyze the world, and see what we can do that is in line of our mutual interest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/we-look-at-the-world-and-analyze-the-world-and-see-what-we-can-do/) [Gloria Macapagal Arroyo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/) > [There is a mutual interest between Israel and the United States of America. It is more than friendship - it is friendship plus mutual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tzipi-livni/there-is-a-mutual-interest-between-israel-and-the-united-states-of/) [Tzipi Livni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tzipi-livni/) > [Following one of the most violent conflicts in human history, the United States and Japan built a deep and abiding friendship - an alliance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/following-one-of-the-most-violent-conflicts-in-human-history-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) ## More by David Sedaris > [“Plenty of animals had pets, but few were more devoted than the mouse, who owned a baby corn snake—“A rescue snake, she’d be quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/plenty-of-animals-had-pets-but-few-were-more-devoted-than-the-mouse/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“never fall asleep in a Dumpster, never underestimate a bee, never drive a convertible behind a flatbed truck, never get old, never get drunk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/never-fall-asleep-in-a-dumpster-never-underestimate-a-bee-never-drive/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“It was a father, one hand resting teapot-style on his hip, and the other - what would be the spout - formed into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/it-was-a-father-one-hand-resting-teapot-style-on-his-hip-and-the/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“A Japanese woman we’d met in Paris came to the apartment yesterday and spent several hours explaining our appliances. 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"I'm guessing you must be Catholic, am I right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/you-have-how-many-children-in-your-family-the-teacher-would-ask-i-m/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“Like most seasoned phonies, I roundly suspect that everyone is as disingenuous as I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/like-most-seasoned-phonies-i-roundly-suspect-that-everyone-is-as/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [As a child I assumed that when I reached adulthood, I would have grown-up thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/as-a-child-i-assumed-that-when-i-reached-adulthood-i-would-have-grown/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [“You just take and take don´t you? Out there with your thumb in the air—not a care in the world, just grabbing whatever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/you-just-take-and-take-don-t-you-out-there-with-your-thumb-in-the-air/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [In other parts of the country people tried to stay together for the sake of the children. In New York they tried to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/in-other-parts-of-the-country-people-tried-to-stay-together-for-the/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [My boyfriend got me a computer three years ago. I'll admit it does make things a lot easier. When I was working on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/my-boyfriend-got-me-a-computer-three-years-ago-i-ll-admit-it-does/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I spent months searching for some secret code before I realized that common sense has nothing to do with it. Hysteria, psychosis, torture, depression:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-spent-months-searching-for-some-secret-code-before-i-realized-that/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I hated leaving a hole in the smoking world, and so I recruited someone to take my place. People have given me a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-hated-leaving-a-hole-in-the-smoking-world-and-so-i-recruited/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [Write relentlessly, until you find your voice. Then, use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/write-relentlessly-until-you-find-your-voice-then-use-it/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) [Explore all 667 David Sedaris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) ## More Cowboy boot quotes > [I've gone from wearing jeans and cowboy boots to wearing miniskirts and gold tassels and high heels. I'm sure I'm not going to dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-potter/i-ve-gone-from-wearing-jeans-and-cowboy-boots-to-wearing-miniskirts/) [Grace Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-potter/) > [I love vintage cowboy boots, and some days I'm into platform stilettos encrusted in jewels. It's really all over the place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/i-love-vintage-cowboy-boots-and-some-days-i-m-into-platform-stilettos/) [Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/) > [I wore hot pants and cowboy boots and I thought, 'What have I gotten myself into?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alek-wek/i-wore-hot-pants-and-cowboy-boots-and-i-thought-what-have-i-gotten/) [Alek Wek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alek-wek/) > [Forget a knight in shining armor on a beautiful horse, I want a boy wearing cowboy boots in a big, jacked up truck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-davis/forget-a-knight-in-shining-armor-on-a-beautiful-horse-i-want-a-boy/) [Morgan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-davis/) > [“Jilly looked at it with a sinking heart. It was difficult enough when the exotic, undeniably gorgeous creature of her fantasies had turned out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-stuart/jilly-looked-at-it-with-a-sinking-heart-it-was-difficult-enough-when/) [Anne Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-stuart/) > [She's Country You boys ever met a real country girl? Talkin, true blue, out in the woods, down home, country girl She's a hot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-aldean/she-s-country-you-boys-ever-met-a-real-country-girl-talkin-true-blue/) [Jason Aldean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-aldean/) > [Cowboy boots with a suit? You're a rough, tough businessman. Chaps with a bow tie? You're in the rough, tough man business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-gould/cowboy-boots-with-a-suit-you-re-a-rough-tough-businessman-chaps-with/) [Dana Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-gould/) > [“Harris had done exactly what he had been told to do by the sexy dame from Oklahoma. After he had removed all of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-flagg/harris-had-done-exactly-what-he-had-been-told-to-do-by-the-sexy-dame/) [Fannie Flagg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-flagg/) > [No man should have cowboys boots in his wardrobe. That's fair enough, isn't it? Unless you're a cowboy, of course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-weller/no-man-should-have-cowboys-boots-in-his-wardrobe-that-s-fair-enough/) [Paul Weller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-weller/) > [“And isn't that the reason we, the mad ones, fearlessly beat our dusty and worn-out cowboy boots into the uncharted breath of this life—to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-levon/and-isn-t-that-the-reason-we-the-mad-ones-fearlessly-beat-our-dusty/) [Elena Levon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elena-levon/) > [I hope my music sets up the platform for me to be able to do lots of things - to have a cowboy-boot line,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-lambert/i-hope-my-music-sets-up-the-platform-for-me-to-be-able-to-do-lots-of/) [Miranda Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-lambert/) > [From the cowboy boots to the cowboy hats,everybody has to live country-just once](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassidy/from-the-cowboy-boots-to-the-cowboy-hats-everybody-has-to-live/) [Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassidy/) > [“Our philosophy is that home decor shouldn’t be taken too seriously, because we want our homes to reflect who we are, no one else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolie-sikes/our-philosophy-is-that-home-decor-shouldn-t-be-taken-too-seriously/) [Jolie Sikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolie-sikes/) > [Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/everybody-was-wearing-rhinestones-all-those-sparkly-clothes-and/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [He reclined on a delightfully cushioned lounge in the sprawling ranch Paris had rented. In Dallas, Texas, of all places. Promiscuity had decked himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/he-reclined-on-a-delightfully-cushioned-lounge-in-the-sprawling-ranch/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) [Browse all 105 Cowboy boot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowboy-boot/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Potential boyfriends could not smoke Merit cigarettes, own or wear a pair of cowboy boots, or eat anything labeled either lite or heart smart. Speech was important, and disqualifying phrases included “I can’t find my nipple ring” and “This one here was my first tattoo.” All street names had to be said in full, meaning no “Fifty-ninth and Lex,” and definitely no “Mad Ave.” They couldn’t drink more than I did, couldn’t write poetry in notebooks and read it out loud to an audience of strangers, and couldn’t use the words flick, freebie, cyberspace, progressive, or zeitgeist. . . . Age, race, weight were unimportant. 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