---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I cadged a complimentary green matchbook…"
description: "\"“I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird icon from the Bell canning jar. Later we'd use the matches to light our spliffs. My fingerti..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg"
---

#  I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird…

![“I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird icon from the Bell canning jar. Later we'd use the matches to light our spliffs. My fingertips tapped the stem to the gizmo that dinged a bell. Nobody came out. Wrong signal, so I did two bell rings. No response prompted me to tap out a…” quote by Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg)

> ““I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird icon from the Bell canning jar. Later we'd use the matches to light our spliffs. My fingertips tapped the stem to the gizmo that dinged a bell. Nobody came out. Wrong signal, so I did two bell rings. No response prompted me to tap out a series of bell rings.””

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Repeated attempts to get attention failed, highlighting miscommunication and frustration.

**In simple terms:** Trying to get a response can be futile.

Key Takeaway

Seek clearer signals before persisting.

Themes

communication frustration persistence

Mood

irritated thoughtful

Type

observational conversational

When to use this quote

- customer service
- technical support
- team coordination
- public speaking

Key Concepts

signal theory social interaction

Questions to Reflect On

- What alternative ways could you signal?
- How do you handle ignored attempts?

A Different Perspective

Over‑reliance on one method may waste effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Bell Canning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bell-canning-2970353/) [Bell Rings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bell-rings-933874/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Dinged Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinged-bell-2970354/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Noir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noir/) [Rings Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rings-response-2970355/) [Suspense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspense/) [Use Matches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-matches-2970356/)

## Related quotes

> [“From Chapter 1: The main rub was the lack of RnR and I burned out. Three years and three stripes later, I ejected from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/from-chapter-1-the-main-rub-was-the-lack-of-rnr-and-i-burned-out/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [“Shouldering the duffel bag with the Marine Corps bulldog, Old Man knocked Jan's photo off the bed table. He turned to stone staring down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/shouldering-the-duffel-bag-with-the-marine-corps-bulldog-old-man/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [The Bell never rings of itself; unless some one handles or moves it it is dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-bell-never-rings-of-itself-unless-some-one-handles-or-moves-it-it/)

[Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/)

> [It's not what you say or how you act. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, it's what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-condit/it-s-not-what-you-say-or-how-you-act-at-the-end-of-the-day-when-all/)

[Carlos Condit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-condit/)

> [The Bell never rings of itself; unless some one handles or moves it it is dumb. \[Lat., Nunquam aedepol temere tinniit tintinnabulum; Nisi quis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-bell-never-rings-of-itself-unless-some-one-handles-or-moves-it-it-2/)

[Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/)

> [A bell is not a bell until someone rings it, a song is not a song until someone sings it. Love wasn't put in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/a-bell-is-not-a-bell-until-someone-rings-it-a-song-is-not-a-song/)

[Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/)

> [When the bell rings, your trainer can't help you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-holmes/when-the-bell-rings-your-trainer-can-t-help-you/)

[Larry Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-holmes/)

> [I just write when the bell rings. I don't have time to wait for inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mancini/i-just-write-when-the-bell-rings-i-don-t-have-time-to-wait-for/)

[Henry Mancini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mancini/)

> [At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-van-allsburg/at-one-time-most-of-my-friends-could-hear-the-bell-but-as-years/)

[Chris Van Allsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-van-allsburg/)

> [When the bell rings in between the ropes, I'm in charge. No one can touch me. That's my time, no one can touch me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-spears/when-the-bell-rings-in-between-the-ropes-i-m-in-charge-no-one-can/)

[Shawn Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-spears/)

> [“Finally the bell rings and the teenage Pavlovian dogs mosve to the next kennel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-jones/finally-the-bell-rings-and-the-teenage-pavlovian-dogs-mosve-to-the/)

[Carrie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-jones/)

> [“The tardy bell rings, but I'm still here, staring at the symbol for women, wondering why we're the ones who have to make babies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liara-tamani/the-tardy-bell-rings-but-i-m-still-here-staring-at-the-symbol-for/)

[Liara Tamani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liara-tamani/)

> [Once that bell rings you're on your own. It's just you and the other guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-louis/once-that-bell-rings-you-re-on-your-own-it-s-just-you-and-the-other/)

[Joe Louis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-louis/)

> [“The bell still rings for all who truly believe”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-van-allsburg/the-bell-still-rings-for-all-who-truly-believe/)

[Chris Van Allsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-van-allsburg/)

> [Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karolyn-grimes/every-time-a-bell-rings-an-angel-gets-his-wings/)

[Karolyn Grimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karolyn-grimes/)

## More by Ed Lynskey

> [“Payne sought clarification. “Vertical or horizontal?” “Horizontal, of course.” “Sorry but I can’t help you.” “Will you pipe down for a minute? Naturally she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/payne-sought-clarification-vertical-or-horizontal-horizontal-of/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [“Petey Samson gave the ladies an over-the-shoulder glance. He realized no doggie treat was forthcoming, even from Isabel who was usually the soft mark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/petey-samson-gave-the-ladies-an-over-the-shoulder-glance-he-realized/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [“Sheriff Fox was running his fingers through his thin hair. In a few short years, he’d look bald as a peeled apple. The Snoop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/sheriff-fox-was-running-his-fingers-through-his-thin-hair-in-a-few/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [“Shouldering the duffel bag with the Marine Corps bulldog, Old Man knocked Jan's photo off the bed table. He turned to stone staring down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/shouldering-the-duffel-bag-with-the-marine-corps-bulldog-old-man/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [“From Chapter 1: The main rub was the lack of RnR and I burned out. Three years and three stripes later, I ejected from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/from-chapter-1-the-main-rub-was-the-lack-of-rnr-and-i-burned-out/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

> [“Quote is taken from Chapter 1: A decade ago when Isabel’s husband Max had died, they’d moved in together and merged their possessions. Neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/quote-is-taken-from-chapter-1-a-decade-ago-when-isabel-s-husband-max/)

[Ed Lynskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

[Explore all 7 Ed Lynskey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird icon from the Bell canning jar. Later we'd use the matches to light our spliffs. My fingertips tapped the stem to the gizmo that dinged a bell. Nobody came out. Wrong signal, so I did two bell rings. No response prompted me to tap out a series of bell rings.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ed Lynskey"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook-with-a-gold-bird-icon-from/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook-with-a-gold-bird-icon-from/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ed-lynskey-49956_action_i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook_313533.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird icon from the Bell canning jar. Later we'd use the…” — Ed Lynskey",
                "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": "Ed Lynskey",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-lynskey/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“I cadged a complimentary green matchbook...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook-with-a-gold-bird-icon-from/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-lynskey/i-cadged-a-complimentary-green-matchbook-with-a-gold-bird-icon-from/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
