--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a…" description: "\"Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a cellphone in public you looked like a total asshole? We're all assholes now.\" — Douglas Coupland" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/douglas-coupland-305_asshole_remember-how-back-in-1990-if-you-used-a_2562684.jpg" --- # Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a cellphone in… ![“Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a cellphone in public you looked like a total asshole? We're all assholes now.” quote by Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/douglas-coupland-305_asshole_remember-how-back-in-1990-if-you-used-a_2562684.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/douglas-coupland-305_asshole_remember-how-back-in-1990-if-you-used-a_2562684.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/douglas-coupland-305_asshole_remember-how-back-in-1990-if-you-used-a_2562684.jpg) > “Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a cellphone in public you looked like a total asshole? We're all assholes now.” [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Public cellphone use once signaled rudeness; now ubiquitous tech makes everyone seem impolite. **In simple terms:** Tech use was once stigmatized, now it’s common. Key Takeaway Accept changing social norms. Themes technology social behavior norms Mood humorous critical Type cultural observational When to use this quote - social media - public spaces - workplace - school Key Concepts cultural shift public perception digital etiquette Questions to Reflect On - How does constant connectivity affect respect? - Can we reclaim politeness? A Different Perspective Normalization may erode etiquette. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asshole/) [Asshole Assholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asshole-assholes-661174/) [Assholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assholes/) [Cellphone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cellphone/) [Cellphone Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cellphone-public-1619773/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Total Asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/total-asshole-1619772/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [I've only been an asshole to assholes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-ve-only-been-an-asshole-to-assholes/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“WHAT'S WRONG WITH ASSHOLES, BABY? YOU'VE GOT AN ASSHOLE, I'VE GOT AN ASSHOLE! YOU GO TO THE STORE AND BUY A PORTERHOUSE STEAK, THAT…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/what-s-wrong-with-assholes-baby-you-ve-got-an-asshole-i-ve-got-an/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [“If I had everything handed to me on a silver platter and suffered no consequences, I'd act like a total asshole too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-o-neill/if-i-had-everything-handed-to-me-on-a-silver-platter-and-suffered-no/) [M.C. O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-o-neill/) > [In some ways, blogging is like drinking - it gives a person permission to be a total asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/in-some-ways-blogging-is-like-drinking-it-gives-a-person-permission/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I'd rather be a total asshole giving proper care to significant life situations than acted like my crap don't stink but was a total…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sams/i-d-rather-be-a-total-asshole-giving-proper-care-to-significant-life/) [Michael Sams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sams/) > [“Our theory is simply this: a person counts as an asshole when, and only when, he systematically allows himself to enjoy special advantages in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-james/our-theory-is-simply-this-a-person-counts-as-an-asshole-when-and-only/) [Aaron James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-james/) > [The key is, how do you feel with the one asshole? They cannot be talked to. That's why they are assholes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-soderbergh/the-key-is-how-do-you-feel-with-the-one-asshole-they-cannot-be-talked/) [Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-soderbergh/) > [I don't mind assholes. It's the dork I don't trust. The dork is the one who's trying to be whatever he thinks you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/i-don-t-mind-assholes-it-s-the-dork-i-don-t-trust-the-dork-is-the-one/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) > [“We are all stupid assholes; leaving alone and complaining forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/we-are-all-stupid-assholes-leaving-alone-and-complaining-forever/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [“Are you a Buddhist?" "No, I'm an asshole. But I keep trying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hawkins/are-you-a-buddhist-no-i-m-an-asshole-but-i-keep-trying/) [Scott Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hawkins/) > [“The function of assholes in the world, just like the asshole we all have, is to spread shit around. They are loathsome and dirty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/the-function-of-assholes-in-the-world-just-like-the-asshole-we-all/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [“It is my sincere desire that my research and hard work will help create a world where we all learn to walk this Earth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexei-maxim-russell/it-is-my-sincere-desire-that-my-research-and-hard-work-will-help/) [Alexei Maxim Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexei-maxim-russell/) > [“Let’s be assholes and enjoy the life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/let-s-be-assholes-and-enjoy-the-life/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Guys annoy me so much -.- it's like they study to be an asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/guys-annoy-me-so-much-it-s-like-they-study-to-be-an-asshole/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Broken hearts are for assholes, are you an asshole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/broken-hearts-are-for-assholes-are-you-an-asshole/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) ## More by Douglas Coupland > [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/) > [A man in a bookstore buys a book on loneliness and every woman in the store hits on him. A woman buys a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/a-man-in-a-bookstore-buys-a-book-on-loneliness-and-every-woman-in-the/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [The future and eternity are two entirely different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/the-future-and-eternity-are-two-entirely-different-things/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Do you remember how you felt at seventeen? I do and I don't (...) 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You mean to tell me we can drive all the way here from L.A.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be-a-better-word-you-mean-to/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [It was pivotal in making you but you don't remember it. Or do you? Do we understand the events that make us who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/it-was-pivotal-in-making-you-but-you-don-t-remember-it-or-do-you-do/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Your ability to rationalize your own bad deeds makes you believe that the whole world is as amoral as you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/your-ability-to-rationalize-your-own-bad-deeds-makes-you-believe-that/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“I like to go beach-combing, and I like to find interestingly shaped rocks. When I really get into the groove I start finding beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-like-to-go-beach-combing-and-i-like-to-find-interestingly-shaped/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“You know, Dag and Claire smile a lot, as do many people I know. But I always wondered if there is something either mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-know-dag-and-claire-smile-a-lot-as-do-many-people-i-know-but-i/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Brain research tells us that only twenty percent of human beings have a sense of irony, which means that eighty percent of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/brain-research-tells-us-that-only-twenty-percent-of-human-beings-have/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [I keep vampire hours, going to bed at 2 A.M. and waking up at about 10:30-11 A.M.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-keep-vampire-hours-going-to-bed-at-2-a-m-and-waking-up-at-about-10/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Anna-Louise leans over and whispers in my ear. "This is so surreal," she says, "I think I'm turning into a melting clock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/anna-louise-leans-over-and-whispers-in-my-ear-this-is-so-surreal-she/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [When you grow up these days, you're told you're going to have four or five different careers during your lifetime. But what they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/when-you-grow-up-these-days-you-re-told-you-re-going-to-have-four-or/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) [Explore all 704 Douglas Coupland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## More Asshole quotes > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Hated By many Trash Talked By Many Guess How Many Fucks I Give Its Less Than One Asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karal/hated-by-many-trash-talked-by-many-guess-how-many-fucks-i-give-its/) [Karal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karal/) > [Sphincter is a Technical word for asshole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sphincter-is-a-technical-word-for-asshole/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When someone describes themself as a taxpayer, they're about to be an asshole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/when-someone-describes-themself-as-a-taxpayer-they-re-about-to-be-an/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [“The asshole slipped Peggy a five-spot to bring him his burger first. Never trust a man with a penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/the-asshole-slipped-peggy-a-five-spot-to-bring-him-his-burger-first/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [Dream big, work hard and don't be an asshole!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-shinoda/dream-big-work-hard-and-don-t-be-an-asshole/) [Mike Shinoda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-shinoda/) > [Broken hearts are for assholes, are you an asshole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/broken-hearts-are-for-assholes-are-you-an-asshole/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [“When she had asked him how he was able to kill two men with his bare hands, he had gone into asshole mode, telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-taylor/when-she-had-asked-him-how-he-was-able-to-kill-two-men-with-his-bare/) [Brad Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-taylor/) > [“It was official. I was an asshole with a permanently broken heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/it-was-official-i-was-an-asshole-with-a-permanently-broken-heart/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [If you are an asshole, we can be best Friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-you-are-an-asshole-we-can-be-best-friends/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk? His whole abdomen would move up and down, you dig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/did-i-ever-tell-you-about-the-man-who-taught-his-asshole-to-talk-his/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) > [“She really liked you, Noah,' 'Yeah, well, maybe I'm just an asshole.' I realize my hand is still in his hair and I retract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-wicks/she-really-liked-you-noah-yeah-well-maybe-i-m-just-an-asshole-i/) [Becky Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-wicks/) > [I'm nice until you piss me off...then I'm an asshole until you make me laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerett-parker/i-m-nice-until-you-piss-me-off-then-i-m-an-asshole-until-you-make-me/) [Jerett Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerett-parker/) > [Just because I don't fuck you anymore doesn't make me a lesbian.It just makes you an asshole.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/just-because-i-don-t-fuck-you-anymore-doesn-t-make-me-a-lesbian-it/) [Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/) > [“Christ, what an asshole!" Babette said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-koch/christ-what-an-asshole-babette-said/) [Herman Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-koch/) [Browse all 489 Asshole quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asshole/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Remember how, back in 1990, if you used a cellphone in public you looked like a total asshole? 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