--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I spent a long time working in…" description: "\"I spent a long time working in restaurants and making no money. It was very character-building, but I think it could have been built in a shorter time...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/graham-norton-11498_been_i-spent-a-long-time-working-in-restauran_2910017.png" --- # I spent a long time working in restaurants and making no… ![“I spent a long time working in restaurants and making no money. It was very character-building, but I think it could have been built in a shorter time.” quote by Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/graham-norton-11498_been_i-spent-a-long-time-working-in-restauran_2910017.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/graham-norton-11498_been_i-spent-a-long-time-working-in-restauran_2910017.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ff/graham-norton-11498_been_i-spent-a-long-time-working-in-restauran_2910017.png) > “I spent a long time working in restaurants and making no money. It was very character-building, but I think it could have been built in a shorter time.” [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Restaurant work builds character but could be streamlined for efficiency. **In simple terms:** Restaurant jobs teach lessons but could be quicker. Key Takeaway Seek efficient skill‑building paths. Themes career learning efficiency humor growth Mood pragmatic humorous Type career self‑improvement When to use this quote - career workshop - stand‑up training - personal reflection Key Concepts professional development life lessons Questions to Reflect On - What skills can be learned faster? - How to balance character building with time? A Different Perspective May undervalue other experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/built/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Restaurants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restaurants/) [Restaurants Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restaurants-making-4185279/) [Spent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spent/) [Spent Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spent-long/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-working-245158/) [Very](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very/) [Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working/) [Working Restaurants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-restaurants-1349048/) ## Related quotes > [When you're in theater, you inevitably wind up working in restaurants. I made pastry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kurlansky/when-you-re-in-theater-you-inevitably-wind-up-working-in-restaurants/) [Mark Kurlansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kurlansky/) > [I had spent so long trying to be the perfect husband.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronan-keating/i-had-spent-so-long-trying-to-be-the-perfect-husband/) [Ronan Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronan-keating/) > [I've spent a long time giving people the benefit of the doubt, and I'm tired of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mcavoy/i-ve-spent-a-long-time-giving-people-the-benefit-of-the-doubt-and-i-m/) [James McAvoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mcavoy/) > [“Why have I spent so long settling for less when I know damn well the world expects more?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/why-have-i-spent-so-long-settling-for-less-when-i-know-damn-well-the/) [Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/) > [Life, when is spent well, is long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/life-when-is-spent-well-is-long/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [I have spent more time in my life working and being in restaurants than being at home. 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It makes such a difference going to work every day for 14 hours and being able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chalke/we-have-such-a-good-time-working-together-it-makes-such-a-difference/) [Sarah Chalke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chalke/) > [People ask me, 'Why don't you take time off?' but the working class doesn't take time off. They're out there working every day. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-cerrone/people-ask-me-why-don-t-you-take-time-off-but-the-working-class-doesn/) [Donald Cerrone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-cerrone/) > [I think, as a writer, you spend most of your time working on the book alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/i-think-as-a-writer-you-spend-most-of-your-time-working-on-the-book/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) > [My resolution is to spend less time working which means you'll have to work more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-resolution-is-to-spend-less-time-working-which-means-you-ll-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Graham Norton > [If it was possible for me to adopt, I probably would, but no one's going to let me adopt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/if-it-was-possible-for-me-to-adopt-i-probably-would-but-no-one-s/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I am really bad at actually interviewing people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-am-really-bad-at-actually-interviewing-people/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I loved Lucille Ball growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-loved-lucille-ball-growing-up/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I've heard other gay people say when they were growing up they felt 'foreign.' Growing up, I was able to label these feelings as:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-ve-heard-other-gay-people-say-when-they-were-growing-up-they-felt/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [Do I have more depth than I'm given credit for? No!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/do-i-have-more-depth-than-i-m-given-credit-for-no/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I always say I'd rather be miserable by myself than unhappy in a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-always-say-i-d-rather-be-miserable-by-myself-than-unhappy-in-a/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [The BBC will always be attacked by whoever is in government. 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We were like, 'okay, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/my-mobile-rang-around-lunchtime-one-day-and-it-was-george-michael-he/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I've so exceeded what I ever wanted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-ve-so-exceeded-what-i-ever-wanted-to-do/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I bet Maurice Gibb's heart monitor was singing the tune of Stayin' Alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-bet-maurice-gibb-s-heart-monitor-was-singing-the-tune-of-stayin/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [It sounds deeply shallow, but for brief spells every member of the public can be fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/it-sounds-deeply-shallow-but-for-brief-spells-every-member-of-the/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I think the word is adult!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/i-think-the-word-is-adult/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [Where I get bored is when I show up for a shoot and they want me to wear a feather boa. Too obvious a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/where-i-get-bored-is-when-i-show-up-for-a-shoot-and-they-want-me-to/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [In my experience the difference between a straight and a bisexual is about four pints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/in-my-experience-the-difference-between-a-straight-and-a-bisexual-is/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) [Explore all 59 Graham Norton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) ## More Been quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Well, I've been politically involved for a really long time. Growing up in the segregated South, it was a very painful experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/well-i-ve-been-politically-involved-for-a-really-long-time-growing-up/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. 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