Humorous Quote by Neil Gaiman
““A table for TONIGHT should certainly have been booked years before-perhaps, it was implied, by Richard's parents. A table for TONIGHT was impossible: if the pope, the prime minister, and the president of France arrived this evening without a confirmed reservation, even they would be turned out into the street with a continental jeer.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman, 2013
The quote humorously illustrates how even the most powerful people can be denied service without a reservation, highlighting the importance of planning.
In simple terms: Even the powerful need a reservation; lack of planning leads to rejection.
Key Takeaway
Plan ahead to avoid being turned away.
Themes
planning
power
social etiquette
humor
inequality
Mood
wry
ironic
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- booking a restaurant
- organizing an event
- securing a venue
- political diplomacy
Key Concepts
status hierarchy
bureaucracy
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you assume status guarantees service?
- How can you ensure fairness in resource allocation?
A Different Perspective
Without a reservation, even the high‑status are excluded, showing that privilege doesn’t guarantee access.
![“There was so much going on. I remember a very interesting dinner in the studio of [Robert] Rauschenberg. He had convinced Sidney Janis, Leo Castelli, and a third big gallery man to serve us, the artists, at the table. So they were dressed up as waiters, we were sitting at the table, and they were…” quote by Erro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fc3/erro-39704_artist_there-was-so-much-going-on-i-remember-a_3025397.jpg)
![“[T]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19e/neil-gaiman-29_quote_t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every_4551.jpg)
