Annoyed Quote by Harry Stack Sullivan
“I do not believe that I have had an interview with anybody in twenty-five years in which the person to whom I was talking was not annoyed during the early part of the interview by my asking stupid questions.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Personal recollection, unknown source
The speaker feels that every interview they have had in decades has been marred by the interviewer's irritation due to the speaker's naive questions.
In simple terms: People get annoyed when I ask simple questions.
Key Takeaway
Be mindful of how questions affect others.
Themes
communication
interview dynamics
social awkwardness
Mood
reflective
awkward
Type
cautionary
observational
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- media interviews
- networking events
- academic panels
Key Concepts
self-awareness
empathy
question framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can I ask clarifying questions without causing irritation?
- What signals indicate the other person’s patience level?
A Different Perspective
If the interviewer is already irritated, even well‑intended questions can worsen the mood.
![“Be annoyed and sin not" ~R. Alan Woods [2012]” quote by R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/742/r-alan-woods-1455_annoyed_be-annoyed-and-sin-not-r-alan-woods-2012_64285.jpg)
