Around Quote by Denise Mina
“I just got an honorary degree from Glasgow University, and I had to wear around very painful shoes so that I didn't laugh all the way through the ceremony because I felt like an outlaw.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: BBC Radio 4, 2015
The speaker feels like an outsider at a formal event, using painful shoes to suppress laughter, highlighting the tension between celebration and personal discomfort.
In simple terms: Feeling out of place at a ceremony.
Key Takeaway
Embrace discomfort to stay authentic.
Themes
identity
celebration
discomfort
authenticity
Mood
reflective
wry
Type
anecdotal
personal
When to use this quote
- academic ceremonies
- award receptions
- public speaking
- personal milestones
Key Concepts
social norms
self-presentation
ritual
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you cope with feeling like an outsider?
- What role does humor play in uncomfortable situations?
A Different Perspective
The humor may mask deeper insecurity about belonging.
![“I get to be the first doctor in the family [because of the honorary degree they're giving me].” quote by Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a74/eric-idle-3734_degrees_i-get-to-be-the-first-doctor-in-the-fami_1653156.jpg)
