--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Meaning what? We're going to pretend…" description: "\"Meaning what? We're going to pretend nothing's going on? That's stupid. The only way to deal with any of this is to get it out in the open.\" Have you b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png" --- # Meaning what? We're going to pretend nothing's going on?… ![“Meaning what? We're going to pretend nothing's going on? That's stupid. The only way to deal with any of this is to get it out in the open." Have you been watching Oprah again?” quote by James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png) > “Meaning what? We're going to pretend nothing's going on? That's stupid. The only way to deal with any of this is to get it out in the open." Have you been watching Oprah again?” [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Confronting avoidance by openly discussing issues rather than ignoring them. **In simple terms:** Talk about problems instead of pretending they aren't there. Key Takeaway Address issues directly. Themes communication honesty conflict resolution Mood concerned serious Type advice reflective When to use this quote - relationships - workplace - personal growth - mental health Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What issue are you avoiding? - How can openness improve trust? A Different Perspective Ignoring problems can worsen them. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Going Pretend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-pretend-308990/) [Going Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-stupid-1269895/) [Pretend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretend/) [Pretend Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretend-going-4150432/) [Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupid/) [Watching Oprah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-oprah-1919703/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I have a rule: Pretend you're going on a trip for two weeks, and pull what you'd wear on that two-week trip, and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-a-rule-pretend-you-re-going-on-a-trip-for-two-weeks-and-pull/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [“I’m not going to pretend I’m something I’m not so that you like me more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/i-m-not-going-to-pretend-i-m-something-i-m-not-so-that-you-like-me/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [I'm not going to pretend I'm some saint, because I'm not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lincoln/i-m-not-going-to-pretend-i-m-some-saint-because-i-m-not/) [Andrew Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lincoln/) > [I'm not going to pretend to know one more thing than I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-pollack/i-m-not-going-to-pretend-to-know-one-more-thing-than-i-know/) [Sydney Pollack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-pollack/) > [I have so many memories of watching 'Oprah' with my mom after school and really feeling united with the country. Her show was such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayo-edebiri/i-have-so-many-memories-of-watching-oprah-with-my-mom-after-school/) [Ayo Edebiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayo-edebiri/) > [My heart's pounding like I'm watching Oprah's farewell season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz/my-heart-s-pounding-like-i-m-watching-oprah-s-farewell-season/) [LIZ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz/) > [I grew up watching Oprah on television. So, to say I didn't learn a lot from her just wouldn't be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-martinez/i-grew-up-watching-oprah-on-television-so-to-say-i-didn-t-learn-a-lot/) [Angie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-martinez/) > [Not many people carry out thoughts they know going into it are stupid…morons not included. (Apollymi)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/not-many-people-carry-out-thoughts-they-know-going-into-it-are-stupid/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“If you're going to be stupid, at least be smart about it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-blatt-and-eric-brewster/if-you-re-going-to-be-stupid-at-least-be-smart-about-it/) [Ben Blatt and Eric Brewster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-blatt-and-eric-brewster/) > [“I’m not going to do anything stupid. And even if what I plan is risky and insane, it’s a well-thought-out level of stupidity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/i-m-not-going-to-do-anything-stupid-and-even-if-what-i-plan-is-risky/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [I was not going to be a stupid girl singer. I was going to be way more than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-nicks/i-was-not-going-to-be-a-stupid-girl-singer-i-was-going-to-be-way-more/) [Stevie Nicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-nicks/) > [“If you're going to be stupid, at least be smart about it. (Eric Brewster's mother)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-brewster/if-you-re-going-to-be-stupid-at-least-be-smart-about-it-eric-brewster/) [Eric Brewster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-brewster/) > [“Are we going to be stupid?” she whispered. “Define stupid.” “Anything that involves either one of us exposing our favorite body parts.” Or their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/are-we-going-to-be-stupid-she-whispered-define-stupid-anything-that/) [Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/) > [Let me know if you're going to do something stupid, kid, 'cause I'll ditch you like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/let-me-know-if-you-re-going-to-do-something-stupid-kid-cause-i-ll/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [People are going to do stupid things, but you don't take away the freedom because somebody makes a stupid decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/people-are-going-to-do-stupid-things-but-you-don-t-take-away-the/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) ## More by James Patterson > [It was a little weird that they were friends. But then, maybe freaks just tended to find each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/it-was-a-little-weird-that-they-were-friends-but-then-maybe-freaks/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“The next forty-five minutes in that office was about as much fun as a day at Disney World—when it’s pouring rain. And all there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/the-next-forty-five-minutes-in-that-office-was-about-as-much-fun-as-a/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [As we go through this transition where a lot more people will be reading on devices, nobody is paying enough attention to make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/as-we-go-through-this-transition-where-a-lot-more-people-will-be/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Max—you have a bigger mission than finding the flock's parents. Focus on helping the whole world, not just your friends. I held my wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/max-you-have-a-bigger-mission-than-finding-the-flock-s-parents-focus/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [You're lying through your fangs," Iggy accused. Fang tried to play innocent--but "innocent Fang" is an oxymoron, so it didn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/you-re-lying-through-your-fangs-iggy-accused-fang-tried-to-play/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [There are reasons people seek escape in books, and one of those reasons is that the boundary of what can happen is beyond what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/there-are-reasons-people-seek-escape-in-books-and-one-of-those/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [I shot him the bird. (Get it? I shot him the—never mind.)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-shot-him-the-bird-get-it-i-shot-him-the-never-mind/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [I get up every morning and chop wood, and I pretty much do it seven days a week, and I like to do it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-get-up-every-morning-and-chop-wood-and-i-pretty-much-do-it-seven/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Witihin seconds the headhunter had lost control of his car and it squealed, sliding sideways right into several other cars. Cool!' said the Gasman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/witihin-seconds-the-headhunter-had-lost-control-of-his-car-and-it/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“It was scary. More than Sara could possibly know. More than anybody ought to know, or ever would. History wasn't for the general public--it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/it-was-scary-more-than-sara-could-possibly-know-more-than-anybody/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Did I want a dog? No. Did I need a dog? Also no. We were six kids running for our lives, not knowing where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/did-i-want-a-dog-no-did-i-need-a-dog-also-no-we-were-six-kids-running/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [I'm a girl who has been tamping down her emotions and keeping them tightly guarded her whole life. And that works really well for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-m-a-girl-who-has-been-tamping-down-her-emotions-and-keeping-them/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [When my son, Jack, was four, I had to make a trip to Los Angeles. I asked him if he was going to miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/when-my-son-jack-was-four-i-had-to-make-a-trip-to-los-angeles-i-asked/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“that kid’s nothing but a little hoodlum.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/that-kid-s-nothing-but-a-little-hoodlum/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Jeezum—humans were like eggshells.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/jeezum-humans-were-like-eggshells/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) [Explore all 983 James Patterson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) ## More Deals quotes > [Right now we're concerned about budget. Right now we're concerned about the prospect of interest rate rise. We're concerned about government corruption, government handing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/right-now-we-re-concerned-about-budget-right-now-we-re-concerned/) [Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/) > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [When you reach that competing point, when you reach that time when the gun is about to go off, everyone's level is pretty much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/when-you-reach-that-competing-point-when-you-reach-that-time-when-the/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/americans-are-very-friendly-and-very-suspicious-that-is-what/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [I don't really resent being on the red carpet as much as I do having to deal with the paparazzi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/i-don-t-really-resent-being-on-the-red-carpet-as-much-as-i-do-having/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [I think kids growing up, if they were picked on and feeling inferior at 12, they're going to feel that way at 72. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/i-think-kids-growing-up-if-they-were-picked-on-and-feeling-inferior/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious - because the obvious is what people need to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-deal-with-the-obvious-i-present-reiterate-and-glorify-the-obvious/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [But when you have to deal with notes, and to be able to make a full definition of what a sound is - if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-brown/but-when-you-have-to-deal-with-notes-and-to-be-able-to-make-a-full/) [Dennis Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-brown/) [Browse all 7,121 Deals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Meaning what? We're going to pretend nothing's going on? That's stupid. The only way to deal with any of this is to get it out in the open.\" Have you been watching Oprah again?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Patterson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-nothing-s-going-on-that-s-stupid/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-nothing-s-going-on-that-s-stupid/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/james-patterson-171_deals_meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-noth_2206793.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Meaning what? We're going to pretend nothing's going on? That's stupid. The only way to deal with any of…” — James Patterson", "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": "James Patterson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Meaning what? We're going to pretend...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-nothing-s-going-on-that-s-stupid/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/meaning-what-we-re-going-to-pretend-nothing-s-going-on-that-s-stupid/#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 } } ] } ```