---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's hard to keep on being civil when…"
description: "\"It's hard to keep on being civil when they ask you such annoying questions.\" — Olivia de Havilland"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg"
---

#  It's hard to keep on being civil when they ask you such…

![“It's hard to keep on being civil when they ask you such annoying questions.” quote by Olivia de Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg)

> “It's hard to keep on being civil when they ask you such annoying questions.”

[Olivia de Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Civil discourse erodes when faced with irritating questions.

**In simple terms:** Politeness fades under annoying queries.

Key Takeaway

Maintain composure despite provocation.

Themes

communication etiquette patience

Mood

calm defensive

Type

interview personal

When to use this quote

- press conferences
- public debates
- online forums

Key Concepts

social dynamics interpersonal conflict media pressure

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you stay civil under pressure?
- When is it appropriate to set boundaries?

A Different Perspective

Some may argue for assertiveness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/)

## Related quotes

> [One of the most annoying questions I get asked is, 'What do you think you'll write about next?' I don't know!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-mckenna/one-of-the-most-annoying-questions-i-get-asked-is-what-do-you-think/)

[Declan McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-mckenna/)

> [Maybe the most annoying questions is: "Where do you see yourself in so many years?" It's a terrifying answer no matter how you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-hertzfeldt/maybe-the-most-annoying-questions-is-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-so/)

[Don Hertzfeldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-hertzfeldt/)

> [I've turned the annoying questions that white people ask into a career, so I understand that's where I live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-ve-turned-the-annoying-questions-that-white-people-ask-into-a/)

[W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/)

> [Would you want people walking up to you and pointing at your d--k? I can't believe I'm still talking about this. But I've worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hamm/would-you-want-people-walking-up-to-you-and-pointing-at-your-d-k-i/)

[Jon Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hamm/)

> [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [My middle finger is used when words aren't enough for people to understand that they're annoying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-middle-finger-is-used-when-words-aren-t-enough-for-people-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Die, enemies of Ra!" Sekhemet yelled. "Perish in agony!" "She's almost as annoying as you," I told Horus. "Impossible," Horus said. "No one bests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/die-enemies-of-ra-sekhemet-yelled-perish-in-agony-she-s-almost-as/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [The only kind of freedom that the mob can imagine is freedom to annoy and oppress its betters, and that is precisely the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-kind-of-freedom-that-the-mob-can-imagine-is-freedom-to-annoy/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Shut the fuck up ur so annoying and you think your the shit lmao sit the fuck down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/shut-the-fuck-up-ur-so-annoying-and-you-think-your-the-shit-lmao-sit/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Belief is a good thing in principle, but an annoying thing in human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/belief-is-a-good-thing-in-principle-but-an-annoying-thing-in-human/)

[Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/)

> [When you're standing around for an hour doing stand up it's no big deal but when you're standing around watching a show for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/when-you-re-standing-around-for-an-hour-doing-stand-up-it-s-no-big/)

[Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/)

> [The book it reminded me of most is Henry Miller’s The Books in My Life. Like Miller, Shields manages to convey his affection for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-alexis/the-book-it-reminded-me-of-most-is-henry-miller-s-the-books-in-my/)

[Andre Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-alexis/)

> [At Epcot Center the Disney corporation has focused its attention on two things greatly in need of Disneyfication: the tedious future and the annoying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/at-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-focused-its-attention-on/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [The trouble is. . .that everybody sneers at restrictions and demands freedom, till something annoying happens; then they demand angrily what has become of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/the-trouble-is-that-everybody-sneers-at-restrictions-and-demands/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

## More by Olivia de Havilland

> [I was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of my sister, Joan Fontaine ... and I appreciate the many kind expressions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-was-shocked-and-saddened-to-learn-of-the-passing-of-my-sister-joan/)

[Olivia de Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I wanted to be what my high-school civics and history teacher thought of as a good American. That automatically involved taking an interest in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-wanted-to-be-what-my-high-school-civics-and-history-teacher-thought/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I felt 'Gone with the Wind' would last five years, and it's lasted over 70 and into a new millennium. There is a special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-felt-gone-with-the-wind-would-last-five-years-and-it-s-lasted-over/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [If I watch 'Gone With the Wind,' I always find it interesting. I think, 'What's going to happen next? What's that character going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/if-i-watch-gone-with-the-wind-i-always-find-it-interesting-i-think/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I feel like a survivor from an age that people no longer understand. I want to try to explain what the 1930s - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-feel-like-a-survivor-from-an-age-that-people-no-longer-understand-i/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [Famous people feel that they must perpetually be on the crest of the wave, not realising that it is against all the rules of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/famous-people-feel-that-they-must-perpetually-be-on-the-crest-of-the/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [all the French speak French - even the children. Many Americans and Britishers who visit the country never quite adjust to this, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/all-the-french-speak-french-even-the-children-many-americans-and/)

[Olivia de Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I would watch anything with Meryl Streep in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-would-watch-anything-with-meryl-streep-in-it/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [How many women in this world are served breakfast in bed every morning by a gorgeous young man? I am. So how do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/how-many-women-in-this-world-are-served-breakfast-in-bed-every/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [When I was five, I discovered a secret box that contained Mummy's stage makeup. It was like finding buried treasure. I tried the rouge,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/when-i-was-five-i-discovered-a-secret-box-that-contained-mummy-s/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [The TV business is soul crushing, talent destroying and human being destroying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/the-tv-business-is-soul-crushing-talent-destroying-and-human-being/)

[Olivia de Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [What bothered me was playing one-dimensional parts in films which were really about, 'Boy Meets Girl,' 'Will Boy Get Girl?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/what-bothered-me-was-playing-one-dimensional-parts-in-films-which/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I wouldn't wish overnight success on anyone. You have no real friends. Everyone works endless hours at different studios, so far apart. Even on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-wouldn-t-wish-overnight-success-on-anyone-you-have-no-real-friends/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I don't feel the cold. It's my British blood!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-don-t-feel-the-cold-it-s-my-british-blood/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

> [I would prefer to live forever in perfect health, but if I must at some time leave this life, I would like to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/i-would-prefer-to-live-forever-in-perfect-health-but-if-i-must-at/)

[Olivia De Havilland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

[Explore all 39 Olivia de Havilland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/)

## More Annoying quotes

> [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

> [The trouble is. . .that everybody sneers at restrictions and demands freedom, till something annoying happens; then they demand angrily what has become of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/the-trouble-is-that-everybody-sneers-at-restrictions-and-demands/)

[Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/)

> [At Epcot Center the Disney corporation has focused its attention on two things greatly in need of Disneyfication: the tedious future and the annoying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/at-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-focused-its-attention-on/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [The book it reminded me of most is Henry Miller’s The Books in My Life. Like Miller, Shields manages to convey his affection for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-alexis/the-book-it-reminded-me-of-most-is-henry-miller-s-the-books-in-my/)

[Andre Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-alexis/)

> [When you're standing around for an hour doing stand up it's no big deal but when you're standing around watching a show for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/when-you-re-standing-around-for-an-hour-doing-stand-up-it-s-no-big/)

[Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/)

> [Belief is a good thing in principle, but an annoying thing in human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/belief-is-a-good-thing-in-principle-but-an-annoying-thing-in-human/)

[Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/)

> [Shut the fuck up ur so annoying and you think your the shit lmao sit the fuck down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/shut-the-fuck-up-ur-so-annoying-and-you-think-your-the-shit-lmao-sit/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The only kind of freedom that the mob can imagine is freedom to annoy and oppress its betters, and that is precisely the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-kind-of-freedom-that-the-mob-can-imagine-is-freedom-to-annoy/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Die, enemies of Ra!" Sekhemet yelled. "Perish in agony!" "She's almost as annoying as you," I told Horus. "Impossible," Horus said. "No one bests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/die-enemies-of-ra-sekhemet-yelled-perish-in-agony-she-s-almost-as/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [My middle finger is used when words aren't enough for people to understand that they're annoying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-middle-finger-is-used-when-words-aren-t-enough-for-people-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Would you want people walking up to you and pointing at your d--k? I can't believe I'm still talking about this. But I've worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hamm/would-you-want-people-walking-up-to-you-and-pointing-at-your-d-k-i/)

[Jon Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hamm/)

> [I ceased in the year 1764 to believe that one can convince one’s opponents with arguments printed in books. It is not to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/i-ceased-in-the-year-1764-to-believe-that-one-can-convince-one-s/)

[Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/)

> [WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not a threat. From an international perspective, I see their actions as totally irresponsible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for-germany-but-not-a-threat/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [It doesn't annoy me but I think of myself as a presenter who is gay, rather than a gay presenter. It's a subtle distinction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-davis/it-doesn-t-annoy-me-but-i-think-of-myself-as-a-presenter-who-is-gay/)

[Evan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-davis/)

Browse all 1,217 Annoying quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's hard to keep on being civil when they ask you such annoying questions.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Olivia de Havilland"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-they-ask-you-such-annoying/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Annoying"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-they-ask-you-such-annoying/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/olivia-de-havilland-16573_annoying_it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-th_216298.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's hard to keep on being civil when they ask you such annoying questions.” — Olivia de Havilland",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Olivia de Havilland",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-de-havilland/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's hard to keep on being...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-they-ask-you-such-annoying/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-de-havilland/it-s-hard-to-keep-on-being-civil-when-they-ask-you-such-annoying/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
