Cases Quote by Laura Esquivel
“Once again she would arrive at a foreign place. Once again be the newcomer, an outsider, the one who did not belong. She knew from experience that she would quickly have to ingratiate herself with her new masters to avoid being rejected or, in more dire cases, punished. Then there would be the phase where she would have to sharpen her senses in order to see and hear as acutely as possible so that she could assimilate quickly all the new customs and the words most frequently used by the group she was to become a part of--so that finally, she would be judged on her own merits.”
About This Quote
A newcomer must first gain acceptance, then keenly observe and learn customs before being judged on personal merit.
In simple terms: Adapt, observe, earn trust, then prove yourself.
Earn trust, learn fast, showcase merit.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- starting a new job
- moving to a new country
- joining a new team
- entering a new community
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance fitting in with staying authentic?
- What strategies help you learn new norms quickly?
Success depends on genuine integration, not just surface conformity.