--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gundar's smile broadened at the memory of…" description: "\"“Gundar's smile broadened at the memory of that evening as he recalled how his rough-and-tumble sailors had stayed on their best manners, humbly asking..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/john-flanagan-904_best-man_gundar-s-smile-broadened-at-the-memory-o_457537.png" --- # Gundar's smile broadened at the memory of that evening as… ![“Gundar's smile broadened at the memory of that evening as he recalled how his rough-and-tumble sailors had stayed on their best manners, humbly asking their table companions to pass the meat, please, or requesting just a little more ale in their drinking mugs. These were men who were accustomed to…” quote by John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/john-flanagan-904_best-man_gundar-s-smile-broadened-at-the-memory-o_457537.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/john-flanagan-904_best-man_gundar-s-smile-broadened-at-the-memory-o_457537.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/john-flanagan-904_best-man_gundar-s-smile-broadened-at-the-memory-o_457537.png) > ““Gundar's smile broadened at the memory of that evening as he recalled how his rough-and-tumble sailors had stayed on their best manners, humbly asking their table companions to pass the meat, please, or requesting just a little more ale in their drinking mugs. These were men who were accustomed to cursing heartily, tearing legs off roast boar wih their bare hands and occasionally swilling ale traight from the keg. Their attempts at mingling with polite society would have made the basis of some great stories back in Skandia.”” [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A rough sailor recalls a night of polite manners, contrasting their wild habits with refined society. **In simple terms:** Rough men tried to be polite. Key Takeaway Respectful behavior can bridge cultural gaps. Themes culture clash etiquette humor identity adaptation Mood lighthearted reflective Type anecdotal humorous When to use this quote - dinner parties - first meetings - team bonding - cross‑cultural events Key Concepts social norms civilization self‑presentation humility Questions to Reflect On - How does etiquette reveal or hide true nature? - When is adapting manners worthwhile? A Different Perspective Politeness may feel forced and mask true character. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-man/) ## Related quotes > [“Me?" he said in some surprise. "I won't be dancing! It's the bridal dance. The bride and groom dance alone!" For one circuit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/me-he-said-in-some-surprise-i-won-t-be-dancing-it-s-the-bridal-dance/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [There are things that are not spoken about in polite society. 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But that didn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-about-you-three-where-are-you-going-even-before-halt-answered/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“There's a tavern by the docks. He's there most evenings." "Then I'll talk to him tonight," Halt said. "You can try. But he's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/there-s-a-tavern-by-the-docks-he-s-there-most-evenings-then-i-ll-talk/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The sun was trembling on the brink of the world, the shadows at their longest, and they still had several kilometers to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-sun-was-trembling-on-the-brink-of-the-world-the-shadows-at-their/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [We're going to see Ragnak," Halt told him. "He's going to have to promise to free every slave who fights for Hallasholm." 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I hate farewells!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/damn-i-hate-farewells/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“They sailed into Raguza and Hal said, as bold as brass, “We’ve come to challenge Zavac and we plan to kick his—”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/they-sailed-into-raguza-and-hal-said-as-bold-as-brass-we-ve-come-to/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Are there bears in these mountains?" he asked. His companion nodded. "Of course. But it's a bit early in the year for them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/are-there-bears-in-these-mountains-he-asked-his-companion-nodded-of/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Well I'm not dancing," Will said through gritted teeth. "I don't know how." Oh yes you are," Alyss told him. "Let's hope you're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/well-i-m-not-dancing-will-said-through-gritted-teeth-i-don-t-know-how/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The battle, if you could call it that, lasted no more than a few seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-battle-if-you-could-call-it-that-lasted-no-more-than-a-few-seconds/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Well, we can ride together for a while longer. The highway south is farther along this way. I'll be glad of some cheerful company."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/well-we-can-ride-together-for-a-while-longer-the-highway-south-is/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Does it matter?" Halt asked. Horace shrugged. "Not really, I suppose. I just wondered why you'd gone to the kitchen and why you took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/does-it-matter-halt-asked-horace-shrugged-not-really-i-suppose-i-just/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Maybe we should have gone with him," he said, a few minutes after his friend was lost to sight. 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