--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It felt civilised and modern. It felt…" description: "\"“It felt civilised and modern. It felt refined and tantalising, all at once, like a polite collective pre-orgasm.”\" — Matt Haig" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e89/matt-haig-1036_emotions_it-felt-civilised-and-modern-it-felt-ref_50234.jpg" --- # It felt civilised and modern. It felt refined and… ![“It felt civilised and modern. It felt refined and tantalising, all at once, like a polite collective pre-orgasm.” quote by Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e89/matt-haig-1036_emotions_it-felt-civilised-and-modern-it-felt-ref_50234.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e89/matt-haig-1036_emotions_it-felt-civilised-and-modern-it-felt-ref_50234.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e89/matt-haig-1036_emotions_it-felt-civilised-and-modern-it-felt-ref_50234.jpg) > ““It felt civilised and modern. It felt refined and tantalising, all at once, like a polite collective pre-orgasm.”” [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage captures an experience that blends sophistication with an undercurrent of anticipation, likening it to a restrained, collective climax of desire. **In simple terms:** A refined, anticipatory collective feeling. Key Takeaway Polite anticipation can be intoxicating. Themes refinement anticipation collective experience modernity sensory perception Mood intrigued refined anticipatory Type descriptive metaphorical observational When to use this quote - describing a cultural event - reviewing a performance - reflecting on a social gathering - analyzing a sensory experience Key Concepts civilization modernism sexual tension Practical Applications - marketing copy for upscale events - creative writing for evocative descriptions Questions to Reflect On - How does restraint shape desire? - What does 'polite collective pre-orgasm' suggest about social norms? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) [Experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) ## Related quotes > [Keeping up with everybody's expectation is soooo hard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi/keeping-up-with-everybody-s-expectation-is-soooo-hard/) [Naomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi/) > [“Clients don't pay you to try. 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