--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The City is, in terms of its basic…" description: "\"The City is, in terms of its basic functioning, a far-off country of which we know little.\" — John Lanchester" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/john-lanchester-2601_business_the-city-is-in-terms-of-its-basic-functi_2098405.png" --- # The City is, in terms of its basic functioning, a far-off… ![“The City is, in terms of its basic functioning, a far-off country of which we know little.” quote by John Lanchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/john-lanchester-2601_business_the-city-is-in-terms-of-its-basic-functi_2098405.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/john-lanchester-2601_business_the-city-is-in-terms-of-its-basic-functi_2098405.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/john-lanchester-2601_business_the-city-is-in-terms-of-its-basic-functi_2098405.png) > “The City is, in terms of its basic functioning, a far-off country of which we know little.” [John Lanchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lanchester/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The city functions like a distant, unfamiliar country, highlighting how urban life can feel alien and unknown. **In simple terms:** Cities can feel foreign despite familiarity. Key Takeaway Explore the unknown in familiar places. Themes urban alienation perception cultural distance Mood curious analytical Type literary social When to use this quote - travel - urban planning - immigration - cultural integration Key Concepts sociology psychology of space Questions to Reflect On - How does your city feel to you? - What makes a place feel foreign? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on alienation may ignore community bonds. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basic Functioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic-functioning-4180821/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-know-1119632/) [Finance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finance/) [Functioning Far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/functioning-far-4180820/) [Know Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-little/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) ## Related quotes > [“If you would know this country, you must know its stories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-marshall-stoneking/if-you-would-know-this-country-you-must-know-its-stories/) [Billy Marshall Stoneking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-marshall-stoneking/) > [Okay, you can die for your country, but know what you're doing while you're doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/okay-you-can-die-for-your-country-but-know-what-you-re-doing-while/) [Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/) > [Culture is the way for a country to know itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-carey/culture-is-the-way-for-a-country-to-know-itself/) [Peter Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-carey/) > [New Zealand is the only country I know well enough to write about. 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