--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she…" description: "\"“When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she found me curled up on my bunk, facing the wall. “You should eat,” she said. “Leave me alone.” “Sulking gives..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg" --- # When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she found me curled… ![“When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she found me curled up on my bunk, facing the wall. “You should eat,” she said. “Leave me alone.” “Sulking gives you wrinkles.” “Well, lying gives you warts,” I said sourly.” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg) > ““When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she found me curled up on my bunk, facing the wall. “You should eat,” she said. “Leave me alone.” “Sulking gives you wrinkles.” “Well, lying gives you warts,” I said sourly.”” [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character resists care, using sarcasm to mask vulnerability, highlighting how emotional neglect can be expressed through humor. **In simple terms:** Sarcasm hides pain and a desire for space. Key Takeaway Recognize humor as a shield. Themes relationships vulnerability communication Mood wry reflective Type literary conversational When to use this quote - friendship conflicts - family gatherings - mental health counseling Key Concepts Psychology of defense mechanisms social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Why do we use sarcasm to avoid intimacy? - How can we respond empathetically to defensive jokes? A Different Perspective Humor can deepen misunderstandings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alina-starkov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/) [Bunk Facing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bunk-facing-4347062/) [Genya-safin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genya-safin-71240/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Said Sourly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-sourly-4347059/) [Sulking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sulking/) [Warts Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warts-said-4347061/) [Wrinkles Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrinkles-lying-4347060/) ## Related quotes > [“Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/just-be-careful-i-stared-at-her-baffled-of-what-of-powerful-men/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“If this stains my teeth orange—” said Zoya. “It will,” interrupted Genya, “but I promise to put your teeth back whiter than they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/if-this-stains-my-teeth-orange-said-zoya-it-will-interrupted-genya/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [Don't wrench your shoulder out of its socket trying to pat yourself on the back," Beldin said sourly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eddings/don-t-wrench-your-shoulder-out-of-its-socket-trying-to-pat-yourself/) [David Eddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eddings/) > [“Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/like-the-teachers-at-the-duke-s-estate-the-priest-thought-he-knew-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“THE SERVANTS CALLED them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-servants-called-them-malenchki-little-ghosts-because-they-were/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sorry-i-mumbled-maybe-you-re-hungry-said-zoya-i-always-get-mean-when/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-privateer-learns-to-press-any-advantage-and-a-prince-princes-get/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/wretched-boy-you-like-him-i-said-in-disbelief-baghra-scowled-greedy/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otkazat-sya-is-it-because-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More by Leigh Bardugo > [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More Alina-starkov quotes > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otkazat-sya-is-it-because-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/wretched-boy-you-like-him-i-said-in-disbelief-baghra-scowled-greedy/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-privateer-learns-to-press-any-advantage-and-a-prince-princes-get/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sorry-i-mumbled-maybe-you-re-hungry-said-zoya-i-always-get-mean-when/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“THE SERVANTS CALLED them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-servants-called-them-malenchki-little-ghosts-because-they-were/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/like-the-teachers-at-the-duke-s-estate-the-priest-thought-he-knew-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I'm the Sun Summoner. It gets dark when I say it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-m-the-sun-summoner-it-gets-dark-when-i-say-it-does/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I told them you hate herring.” “Why?” “And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-told-them-you-hate-herring-why-and-that-you-love-plum-cake-and-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/just-be-careful-i-stared-at-her-baffled-of-what-of-powerful-men/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Browse all 37 Alina-starkov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she found me curled up on my bunk, facing the wall. “You should eat,” she said. “Leave me alone.” “Sulking gives you wrinkles.” “Well, lying gives you warts,” I said sourly.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leigh Bardugo" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she-found-me-curled-up-on-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alina-starkov" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she-found-me-curled-up-on-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e87/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she_2123965.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When Genya brought me my dinner tray, she found me curled up on my bunk, facing the wall. “You should eat,”…” — Leigh Bardugo", "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": "Leigh Bardugo", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“When Genya brought me my dinner...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she-found-me-curled-up-on-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/when-genya-brought-me-my-dinner-tray-she-found-me-curled-up-on-my/#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 } } ] } ```