--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But why, she thought wryly, did a man…" description: "\"But why, she thought wryly, did a man seem more attractive as he became less available? How humbling to think one had so much in common with a cow stre..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/mary-jo-putney-11309_attractive_but-why-she-thought-wryly-did-a-man-seem_2172459.jpg" --- # But why, she thought wryly, did a man seem more attractive… ![“But why, she thought wryly, did a man seem more attractive as he became less available? How humbling to think one had so much in common with a cow stretching its neck through a gate for better grass.” quote by Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/mary-jo-putney-11309_attractive_but-why-she-thought-wryly-did-a-man-seem_2172459.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/mary-jo-putney-11309_attractive_but-why-she-thought-wryly-did-a-man-seem_2172459.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d47/mary-jo-putney-11309_attractive_but-why-she-thought-wryly-did-a-man-seem_2172459.jpg) > “But why, she thought wryly, did a man seem more attractive as he became less available? How humbling to think one had so much in common with a cow stretching its neck through a gate for better grass.” [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attraction increases when a person becomes less accessible, highlighting desire for rarity and the paradox of longing. **In simple terms:** People find unavailable partners more appealing. Key Takeaway Value genuine connection over scarcity. Themes desire availability psychology Mood curious analytical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - dating - friendship - workplace interactions - online dating Key Concepts attachment theory social dynamics paradox Questions to Reflect On - Why do we equate scarcity with value? - How can we recognize genuine interest versus game playing? A Different Perspective Scarcity can lead to unhealthy obsession or misinterpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humbling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humbling/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Stretching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stretching/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“Sometimes, he thought wryly, a reputation for being right all the time could be a heavy burden.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/sometimes-he-thought-wryly-a-reputation-for-being-right-all-the-time/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Heredity or environment? I wondered wryly. We were all of us, to some degree, mad after his fashion. 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And you do not seem to reealize, dear Doctor, that by persistently remaining single, a man coverts himself into a permanent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/miss-prism-and-you-do-not-seem-to-reealize-dear-doctor-that-by/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The gift finds the man attractive who stands with an empty bowl he does not own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hyde/the-gift-finds-the-man-attractive-who-stands-with-an-empty-bowl-he/) [Lewis Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hyde/) > [“Man is more attractive when left to the imagination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-halberstadt/man-is-more-attractive-when-left-to-the-imagination/) Michele Halberstadt > [“But it appears that I am willing to put up with many things for the sake of Jamie Watson. 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