--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our conversation with the supermarket…" description: "\"Our conversation with the supermarket manager had been about as helpful as a New Jersey road sign, and if you've ever been there, you know the signs do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/neal-shusterman-412_communication_our-conversation-with-the-supermarket-ma_1919806.jpg" --- # Our conversation with the supermarket manager had been… ![“Our conversation with the supermarket manager had been about as helpful as a New Jersey road sign, and if you've ever been there, you know the signs don't tell you the exit you're coming up to, they only point out the exits you've just missed.” quote by Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/neal-shusterman-412_communication_our-conversation-with-the-supermarket-ma_1919806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/neal-shusterman-412_communication_our-conversation-with-the-supermarket-ma_1919806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/neal-shusterman-412_communication_our-conversation-with-the-supermarket-ma_1919806.jpg) > “Our conversation with the supermarket manager had been about as helpful as a New Jersey road sign, and if you've ever been there, you know the signs don't tell you the exit you're coming up to, they only point out the exits you've just missed.” [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advice is often vague and unhelpful, pointing only to past mistakes rather than guiding future actions. **In simple terms:** Advice can be vague and only points to past errors. Key Takeaway Seek clear, forward‑looking guidance. Themes communication guidance misdirection navigation learning Mood frustrated reflective skeptical Type practical reflective When to use this quote - career decisions - personal growth - travel planning - education choices Key Concepts vagueness ineffective advice retroactive focus Questions to Reflect On - When has vague advice actually helped you? - What makes guidance truly useful? A Different Perspective The analogy may overstate the uselessness of all advice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Conversation Supermarket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation-supermarket-2942036/) [Exit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exit/) [Helpful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helpful/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Jersey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jersey/) [Know Signs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-signs-2942035/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Manager Helpful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manager-helpful-2942032/) [Managers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/managers/) [New jersey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-jersey/) [Road sign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/road-sign/) [Supermarket Manager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supermarket-manager-2942033/) [Supermarkets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supermarkets/) [Tell Exit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-exit-2942034/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) ## Related quotes > [“...Our conversation with the supermarket manager had been about as helpful as a New Jersey road sign, and if you've ever been there, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/our-conversation-with-the-supermarket-manager-had-been-about-as/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [I know the signs of scaredness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-know-the-signs-of-scaredness/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [Our street corners keep secrets, and our road signs only suggest, never deciding for us, never knowing if the destination to which they lead,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gaskarth/our-street-corners-keep-secrets-and-our-road-signs-only-suggest-never/) [Alex Gaskarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gaskarth/) > [“Above all, readers want useful information, whether from a road sign or an investment guide. 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You chat with family and friends, you attend to your correspondence, you consult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/language-leads-a-double-life-and-so-does-the-novelist-you-chat-with/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [End of Construction. Thank you 'for your patience. " Inscription on Ruth Bell Graham's grave -- inspired hy a road sign she saw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/end-of-construction-thank-you-for-your-patience-inscription-on-ruth/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There are no road signs to help navigate. And, in fact, no one has yet determined which side of the road we're supposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-case/there-are-no-road-signs-to-help-navigate-and-in-fact-no-one-has-yet/) [Steve Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-case/) > [Gratitude develops faith. 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