--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There were three of them there, then, and…" description: "\"“There were three of them there, then, and Amabella was introducing Bod and he was shaking hands and saying, \"Charmed, I'm sure,\" because he could gree..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/neil-gaiman-29_quote_there-were-three-of-them-there-then-and_1341321.jpg" --- # There were three of them there, then, and Amabella was… ![“There were three of them there, then, and Amabella was introducing Bod and he was shaking hands and saying, "Charmed, I'm sure," because he could greet people politely over nine hundred years of changing manners.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/neil-gaiman-29_quote_there-were-three-of-them-there-then-and_1341321.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/neil-gaiman-29_quote_there-were-three-of-them-there-then-and_1341321.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/neil-gaiman-29_quote_there-were-three-of-them-there-then-and_1341321.jpg) > ““There were three of them there, then, and Amabella was introducing Bod and he was shaking hands and saying, "Charmed, I'm sure," because he could greet people politely over nine hundred years of changing manners.”” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character greets another with a polite, centuries‑old charm, highlighting the persistence of etiquette across time. **In simple terms:** Polite greetings endure through ages. Key Takeaway Maintain courtesy even as customs evolve. Themes etiquette history character interaction Mood playful nostalgic Type literary dialogue When to use this quote - formal introductions - cross‑cultural meetings - historical reenactments - role‑playing games Key Concepts social norms temporal continuity Questions to Reflect On - How does long‑standing etiquette affect modern relationships? - When is formality more harmful than helpful? A Different Perspective Politeness may seem outdated or insincere in modern contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“There is an old German fable about porcupines who need to huddle together for warmth, but are in danger of hurting each other with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-truss/there-is-an-old-german-fable-about-porcupines-who-need-to-huddle/) [Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-truss/) > [If we want to make friends, let's greet people with animation and enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-we-want-to-make-friends-let-s-greet-people-with-animation-and/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“Mix • Be situationally aware and pay attention to the people in the room. • Introduce guests or help strike up a conversation. •…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/mix-be-situationally-aware-and-pay-attention-to-the-people-in-the/) [Susan C. 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Greeting in this sense is proactive. 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