--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everybody has that thing where they need…" description: "\"Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come out looking another way and that's what people observe. You see someone on the s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg" --- # Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way… ![“Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come out looking another way and that's what people observe. You see someone on the street and essentially what you notice about them is the flaw. It's just extraordinary that we should have been given these peculiarities. Something…” quote by Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg) > “Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come out looking another way and that's what people observe. You see someone on the street and essentially what you notice about them is the flaw. It's just extraordinary that we should have been given these peculiarities. Something is ironic in the world and it has to do with the fact that what you intend never comes out like you intend it.” [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often present a self‑image that differs from how others perceive them, revealing unexpected flaws and contradictions. **In simple terms:** We see others differently than they intend. Key Takeaway Recognize and accept the gap between self‑image and perception. Themes identity perception flaws irony human nature Mood reflective ironic thoughtful Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - social interactions - personal branding - interview settings - art criticism Key Concepts self‑presentation social perception cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - How do your assumptions shape what you notice? - Can you separate your view from the subject’s intent? A Different Perspective Interpretation can be biased by the observer’s own expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Flaws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flaws/) [Ironic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ironic/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come out looking another way and that's what people observe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need-to-look-one-way-but-they-2/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [God knows we have our own demons to be cast out, our own uncleanness to be cleansed. Neurotic anxiety happens to be my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/god-knows-we-have-our-own-demons-to-be-cast-out-our-own-uncleanness/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [I observe how people walk, laugh and talk. More than people I observe animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalabhavan-mani/i-observe-how-people-walk-laugh-and-talk-more-than-people-i-observe/) [Kalabhavan Mani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalabhavan-mani/) > [Some people observe life naturally and sometimes you just have to let things out and think about it later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-latifah/some-people-observe-life-naturally-and-sometimes-you-just-have-to-let/) [Queen Latifah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-latifah/) > [“People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to me it's quite clear that a day merges through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/people-observe-the-colors-of-a-day-only-at-its-beginnings-and-ends-2/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [There are people who observe the rules of honor as we observe the stars: from a distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/there-are-people-who-observe-the-rules-of-honor-as-we-observe-the/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [I think you can tell a lot about people if you observe them as they're observing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yorgos-lanthimos/i-think-you-can-tell-a-lot-about-people-if-you-observe-them-as-they/) [Yorgos Lanthimos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yorgos-lanthimos/) > [In order to discover the character of people we have only to observe what they love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-order-to-discover-the-character-of-people-we-have-only-to-observe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are people who observe the rules of honor as one observes the stars, from a great distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/there-are-people-who-observe-the-rules-of-honor-as-one-observes-the/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [... he was one of those men who like to be observers at their own lives ... such people observe their destiny much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessandro-baricco/he-was-one-of-those-men-who-like-to-be-observers-at-their-own-lives/) [Alessandro Baricco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessandro-baricco/) > [Just stand still beside me and watch people, you can observe a lot instead of talking to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/just-stand-still-beside-me-and-watch-people-you-can-observe-a-lot/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“The perception of a situation depends on how people observe it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-hussam-atef-elkhatib/the-perception-of-a-situation-depends-on-how-people-observe-it/) [Dr. Hussam Atef Elkhatib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-hussam-atef-elkhatib/) > [I don't think I appear very cool to people who observe me on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahid-afridi/i-don-t-think-i-appear-very-cool-to-people-who-observe-me-on-the/) [Shahid Afridi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-afridi/) > [I just think the more were observed by other people, the less we can observe them in order to play them and find their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-marshall-green/i-just-think-the-more-were-observed-by-other-people-the-less-we-can/) [Logan Marshall-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-marshall-green/) > [Having never left the house you are looking for the way home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/having-never-left-the-house-you-are-looking-for-the-way-home/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) ## More by Diane Arbus > [I mean, it's very subtle and a little embarrassing to me, but I really believe there are things which nobody would see unless I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-mean-it-s-very-subtle-and-a-little-embarrassing-to-me-but-i-really/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [...I would never choose a subject for what it means to me. I choose a subject and then what I feel about it, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-would-never-choose-a-subject-for-what-it-means-to-me-i-choose-a/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I think the most beautiful inventions are the ones you don't think of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-think-the-most-beautiful-inventions-are-the-ones-you-don-t-think-of/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [Nudists are fond of saying that when you come right down to it everyone is alike, and, again, that when you come right down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/nudists-are-fond-of-saying-that-when-you-come-right-down-to-it/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I think all families are creepy in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-think-all-families-are-creepy-in-a-way/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I work from awkwardness. By that I mean I don't like to arrange things. If I stand in front of something, instead of arranging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-work-from-awkwardness-by-that-i-mean-i-don-t-like-to-arrange-things/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [We've all got an identity. You can't avoid it. It's what's left when you take everything else away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/we-ve-all-got-an-identity-you-can-t-avoid-it-it-s-what-s-left-when/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I never have taken a picture I've intended. They're always better or worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-never-have-taken-a-picture-i-ve-intended-they-re-always-better-or/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation. The hand is the cutting edge of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/the-world-can-only-be-grasped-by-action-not-by-contemplation-the-hand/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [ \[Our self-image is\] that gap between intention and effect ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/our-self-image-is-that-gap-between-intention-and-effect/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [They are the proof of something was there and no longer is. Like a stain. And the stillness of them is boggling. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/they-are-the-proof-of-something-was-there-and-no-longer-is-like-a/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [It's always seemed to me that photography tends to deal with facts whereas film tends to deal with fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/it-s-always-seemed-to-me-that-photography-tends-to-deal-with-facts/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/my-favourite-thing-is-to-go-where-i-ve-never-been/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I want to photograph the considerable ceremonies of our present. I want to gather them, like somebody's grandmother putting up preserves, because they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-want-to-photograph-the-considerable-ceremonies-of-our-present-i/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I don't know what good composition is… Sometimes for me composition has to do with a certain brightness or a certain coming to restness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-don-t-know-what-good-composition-is-sometimes-for-me-composition/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) [Explore all 80 Diane Arbus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) ## More Another way quotes > [Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/cooking-brings-me-so-much-joy-i-love-everything-down-to-the-execution/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [Social media is not just another way to connect feminist and activist voices - it amplifies our messages as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/social-media-is-not-just-another-way-to-connect-feminist-and-activist/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-got-the-public-i-don-t-care-about-the-critics-i-did-at-one-time/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-need-to-interrogate-reverence-for-idolization-can-be-another-way/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [And after hearing what our Church can say, If still our reason runs another way, That private reason 'tis more just to curb, Than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/and-after-hearing-what-our-church-can-say-if-still-our-reason-runs/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [I'm really fascinated and you know I've been wondering about that usage of language, various breathing techniques and why in these practices language is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-acker/i-m-really-fascinated-and-you-know-i-ve-been-wondering-about-that/) [Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/) > [The fact that you are not sure means that it is possible that there is another way someday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/the-fact-that-you-are-not-sure-means-that-it-is-possible-that-there/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Congress decides who becomes a citizen and how. To automatically say the 14th Amendment grants birthright citizenship, no, we can't change that. Amending the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/congress-decides-who-becomes-a-citizen-and-how-to-automatically-say/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Just because somebody swings one way and I swing another way doesn't mean he's better than me or I'm better than him ... Does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-pedroia/just-because-somebody-swings-one-way-and-i-swing-another-way-doesn-t/) [Dustin Pedroia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-pedroia/) > [The spirit of Christianity proclaims the brotherhood of the race and the meaning of that strong word has not been left to guesswork, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-spirit-of-christianity-proclaims-the-brotherhood-of-the-race-and/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Suffering, if you're a Christian, suffering is a part of life. And it's not a bad thing, it is an essential thing in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-santorum/suffering-if-you-re-a-christian-suffering-is-a-part-of-life-and-it-s/) [Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-santorum/) > [Rather than admit a mistake, nations have gone to war, families have separated, and good people have sacrificed everything dear to them. Admitting that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-ward/rather-than-admit-a-mistake-nations-have-gone-to-war-families-have/) [Don Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-ward/) > [Painting is the most magical of mediums. The transcendence is truly amazing to me every time I go to a museum and I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-close/painting-is-the-most-magical-of-mediums-the-transcendence-is-truly/) [Chuck Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-close/) > [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/) > [There is no finer way to demonstrate love of God than by serving Him in the positions to which we may be called. Occasionally,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/there-is-no-finer-way-to-demonstrate-love-of-god-than-by-serving-him/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) Browse all 421 Another way quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come out looking another way and that's what people observe. You see someone on the street and essentially what you notice about them is the flaw. It's just extraordinary that we should have been given these peculiarities. Something is ironic in the world and it has to do with the fact that what you intend never comes out like you intend it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diane Arbus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need-to-look-one-way-but-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Another way" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need-to-look-one-way-but-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/diane-arbus-8503_another-way_everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need_285821.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come out looking another way and that's…” — Diane Arbus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Diane Arbus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Everybody has that thing where they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need-to-look-one-way-but-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/everybody-has-that-thing-where-they-need-to-look-one-way-but-they/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```