--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I thought Oliver was trying hard before…" description: "\"“I thought Oliver was trying hard before, but now I realize it's quite the opposite-- he doesn't try , he just is , makes up his mind and doesn't check..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/lindsey-leavitt-18201_identity_i-thought-oliver-was-trying-hard-before_3152720.jpg" --- # I thought Oliver was trying hard before, but now I realize… ![“I thought Oliver was trying hard before, but now I realize it's quite the opposite-- he doesn't try , he just is , makes up his mind and doesn't check if it's going to work for his image or come off wrong. Since the rest of us are being so self-aware, his presence seems calculated. No one can…” quote by Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/lindsey-leavitt-18201_identity_i-thought-oliver-was-trying-hard-before_3152720.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/lindsey-leavitt-18201_identity_i-thought-oliver-was-trying-hard-before_3152720.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/lindsey-leavitt-18201_identity_i-thought-oliver-was-trying-hard-before_3152720.jpg) > ““I thought Oliver was trying hard before, but now I realize it's quite the opposite-- he doesn't try , he just is , makes up his mind and doesn't check if it's going to work for his image or come off wrong. Since the rest of us are being so self-aware, his presence seems calculated. No one can possibly be that breezy, saying what he thinks, feeling what he feels. I can see why people don't like him for this very reason-- it's so much easier to call him a poser. Because if he's the real deal, then that makes the rest of us fakes.”” [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It suggests that authenticity can be misread as arrogance, and that people may label genuine behavior as pretentious. **In simple terms:** Being true can be mistaken for being a poser. Key Takeaway Stay authentic despite misinterpretations. Themes authenticity perception social judgment Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - social media - workplace - friend groups - personal branding Key Concepts self-presentation identity confidence Questions to Reflect On - Why do we label honest people as “posers”? - How can we differentiate confidence from arrogance? A Different Perspective Authenticity may be dismissed in cultures valuing conformity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Real deal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-deal/) ## Related quotes > [“And she had thought Oliver insulting! At least now she knew where he got it from. Heavens alive, what a family! She almost felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/and-she-had-thought-oliver-insulting-at-least-now-she-knew-where-he/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“How very true, I thought. Oliver, I wish that you and I and all those we’ve held dear might live forever in one house…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-aciman/how-very-true-i-thought-oliver-i-wish-that-you-and-i-and-all-those-we/) [André Aciman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-aciman/) > [“not in the stupid-ass Miley Cyrus poser-sex way—and”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/not-in-the-stupid-ass-miley-cyrus-poser-sex-way-and/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [I've always been a bit of a poser. I was chucked out of ballet lessons for looking in the mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbey-clancy/i-ve-always-been-a-bit-of-a-poser-i-was-chucked-out-of-ballet-lessons/) [Abbey Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbey-clancy/) > [You have to go with it and be a bit of a poser on photoshoots. You're embarrassed at first, but you just have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samara-weaving/you-have-to-go-with-it-and-be-a-bit-of-a-poser-on-photoshoots-you-re/) [Samara Weaving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samara-weaving/) > [“Don't try to be someone you are not...Be real.Nobody likes a poser”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irza-khan/don-t-try-to-be-someone-you-are-not-be-real-nobody-likes-a-poser/) irza khan > [Im not a poser I'm not a wannabe...im just me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/im-not-a-poser-i-m-not-a-wannabe-im-just-me/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [I've been a poser for f--ing years. I say, pose your arse off. You know, have a laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-connolly/i-ve-been-a-poser-for-f-ing-years-i-say-pose-your-arse-off-you-know/) [Billy Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-connolly/) > [“For who would I be if I tried to be someone besides Jane? The poser of the world try so hard to be what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-moser/for-who-would-i-be-if-i-tried-to-be-someone-besides-jane-the-poser-of/) [Nancy Moser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-moser/) > [It's boring to be a poser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shenaz-treasury/it-s-boring-to-be-a-poser/) [Shenaz Treasury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shenaz-treasury/) > [Call me a Fake. A poser, a liar, anything you'll like. I DONT CARE! You think you're cool,awesome, funny.NOOO YOU'RE NOT! Okay! YOU'RE ANNOYING…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/call-me-a-fake-a-poser-a-liar-anything-you-ll-like-i-dont-care-you/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [You can only maintain an immensely gothic attitude for so long before either killing yourself or beginning to feel like a poser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-z-brite/you-can-only-maintain-an-immensely-gothic-attitude-for-so-long-before/) [Poppy Z. Brite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-z-brite/) > [Have you heard of this new thing called the internet? It's giving people new expectations. It's allowing them to become their own expert. Knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-h-williams/have-you-heard-of-this-new-thing-called-the-internet-it-s-giving/) [Roy H. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-h-williams/) > [One of the finest magicians you can see is David Oliver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-nolan/one-of-the-finest-magicians-you-can-see-is-david-oliver/) Barry Nolan > [“When had they separated us, you and me, Oliver? And why did I know it, and why didn't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-aciman/when-had-they-separated-us-you-and-me-oliver-and-why-did-i-know-it/) [André Aciman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-aciman/) ## More by Lindsey Leavitt > [“STAY CLOSE TO THE CHEESE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/stay-close-to-the-cheese/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“I like to lie sometimes. You should know that about me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/i-like-to-lie-sometimes-you-should-know-that-about-me/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“There's nothing sweeter than sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/there-s-nothing-sweeter-than-sweat/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“They just change. Their body changes. Their abilities - the things they do that make them who they are - leave, sometimes temporarily, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/they-just-change-their-body-changes-their-abilities-the-things-they/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“People laugh because they're nervous, or to cover up tension, or to flirt, or because there's some instant applause meter in their head telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/people-laugh-because-they-re-nervous-or-to-cover-up-tension-or-to/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“I like the feeling that I'm vital, that I matter on my own and not because of what others think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/i-like-the-feeling-that-i-m-vital-that-i-matter-on-my-own-and-not/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“What? I didn't say that boy-stealing is a bad thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/what-i-didn-t-say-that-boy-stealing-is-a-bad-thing/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“President Oliver, stop staring at my sister and get on the float before I assassinate your butt!” Ginnie yells.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/president-oliver-stop-staring-at-my-sister-and-get-on-the-float/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“Their relationship isn't perfect in a lot of ways, bit it's something real. And real should probably be the goal, not perfection. Every relationship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/their-relationship-isn-t-perfect-in-a-lot-of-ways-bit-it-s-something/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“The last thing I wanted when things were just barely started with Dax was having my friends make aware. What if they told my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/the-last-thing-i-wanted-when-things-were-just-barely-started-with-dax/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“I don't know if I've ever really touched him. Maybe once or twice when passing papers back. You know, even shorter, his hair looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/i-don-t-know-if-i-ve-ever-really-touched-him-maybe-once-or-twice-when/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“I'm trying to abandon the present, but I don't even have the skills to master the past.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/i-m-trying-to-abandon-the-present-but-i-don-t-even-have-the-skills-to/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“I didn't ask for your résumé,theater freak. You people love to talk, don't you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/i-didn-t-ask-for-your-r-sum-theater-freak-you-people-love-to-talk-don/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“Adolescence is the same tragedy being performed again and again. The only things that change are the stage props.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/adolescence-is-the-same-tragedy-being-performed-again-and-again-the/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) > [“Right. Like I have any plans of hanging out with Vampire Boy ever again. Schedule it in right after my lunch date with Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-leavitt/right-like-i-have-any-plans-of-hanging-out-with-vampire-boy-ever/) [Lindsey Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) [Explore all 35 Lindsey Leavitt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-leavitt/) ## More Identity quotes > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [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/) > [You have expressive nationalism, I mean very identity driven, which shaped each other a lot of that in the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/you-have-expressive-nationalism-i-mean-very-identity-driven-which/) [Subrahmanyam Jaishankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/) > [Family over friends, because real friends are family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/family-over-friends-because-real-friends-are-family/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think everybody, or the great majority of human beings, have this aspiration to become other: to live a different identity, at least for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/i-think-everybody-or-the-great-majority-of-human-beings-have-this/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [Tell me how much a nation knows about its own language, and I will tell you how much that nation knows about its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/tell-me-how-much-a-nation-knows-about-its-own-language-and-i-will/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-think-that-most-of-us-anyway-read-these-stories-that-we-know-are/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-intoxication-of-the-ego-of-i-am/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“At the moment, then, of Man’s victory over Nature, we find the whole human race subjected to some individual men, and those individuals subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/at-the-moment-then-of-man-s-victory-over-nature-we-find-the-whole/) [C.S. 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Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Why were there no words that spoke positively about being concerned about the self? Why was there only negative connotation in terms like "selfish",…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-dalton/why-were-there-no-words-that-spoke-positively-about-being-concerned/) A.J. Dalton [Browse all 11,949 Identity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I thought Oliver was trying hard before, but now I realize it's quite the opposite-- he doesn't try , he just is , makes up his mind and doesn't check if it's going to work for his image or come off wrong. Since the rest of us are being so self-aware, his presence seems calculated. No one can possibly be that breezy, saying what he thinks, feeling what he feels. I can see why people don't like him for this very reason-- it's so much easier to call him a poser. 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