Powders Nose Quote by Georgette Heyer
““Well, I think I laid down my sunshade first,'said Mrs. Twining reflectively. 'Ah, that doesn't interest you. I told Finch that I wanted to tidy my hair (a euphemism for "powder my nose", of course), and would show myself out on to the terrace.' 'And you did in fact powder your nose, Mrs. Twining, at the mirror over the fireplace?' 'Most thoroughly,' she agreed. 'How long did that take you?' She looked rather amused. 'When a woman powders her nose, Inspector, she loses count of time. My own estimate would be a moment or two; almost any man, I feel, would probably say, ages.' 'Were you as long, perhaps, as five minutes?' 'I hope not. Let us say three - without prejudice.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Regency Romance, 1934
A woman uses a polite pretext to delay a conversation, highlighting how small rituals can mask time perception.
In simple terms: Polite delays hide how time passes.
Key Takeaway
Notice how rituals affect your sense of time.
Themes
social etiquette
time perception
gender roles
Mood
wry
observational
lighthearted
Type
dialogue
humor
social commentary
When to use this quote
- dinner parties
- courtship
- interrogations
- waiting rooms
Key Concepts
psychology
social interaction
rituals
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you use small actions to control conversation flow?
- What does this reveal about social expectations?
A Different Perspective
The humor may downplay deeper gender dynamics.
![“[...]my memory is reasonably good—unlike yours, dear sir!” “Mine is erratic,” he said imperturbably. “I remember only what interests me.” quote by Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdf/georgette-heyer-1080_dear_my-memory-is-reasonably-good-unlike-your_101725.jpg)
