--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand…" description: "\"“Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand Dryers? I felt bad enough being locked out of the National Parks and Forests because of the Federal Shutdown, so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg" --- # Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand Dryers? I felt bad… ![“Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand Dryers? I felt bad enough being locked out of the National Parks and Forests because of the Federal Shutdown, so the chance to salvage something uniquely interesting and culturally important as the hand dryer factory slipped by me. Not one sign on any exit ramp.” quote by Patrick Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg) > ““Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand Dryers?  I felt bad enough being locked out of the National Parks and Forests because of the Federal Shutdown, so the chance to salvage something uniquely interesting and culturally important as the hand dryer factory slipped by me.  Not one sign on any exit ramp.”” [Patrick Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-egan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker laments missing a quirky cultural opportunity due to a larger crisis, highlighting how bureaucratic issues can eclipse unique local experiences. **In simple terms:** Missing a chance because of larger problems. Key Takeaway Notice and preserve small cultural moments. Themes missed opportunity culture bureaucracy travel Mood irritated reflective Type observational critical When to use this quote - tourism - local business - heritage sites - government shutdowns Key Concepts cultural preservation opportunity cost public policy Questions to Reflect On - How do larger crises affect appreciation of local quirks? - What small cultural sites are you overlooking? A Different Perspective The quote may exaggerate the significance of a hand‑dryer factory. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dryers Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dryers-felt-6096580/) [Federal Shutdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-shutdown-6096578/) [Hand Dryer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-dryer-6096579/) [Hand Dryers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-dryers-5590807/) [National parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-parks/) [Shutdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shutdown/) ## Related quotes > [Humour is often linked to shared experience. Like, a guy gets up and says, Have you noticed public restrooms have really inefficient hand-dryers? Oh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/humour-is-often-linked-to-shared-experience-like-a-guy-gets-up-and/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [Government shutdown day 10: Electricity still works. Water is still running. No cool gangs to join yet. Worst apocalypse ever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio/government-shutdown-day-10-electricity-still-works-water-is-still/) [Antonio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio/) > [Unfortunately as the result of the shutdown of the shuttle program, we lost an entire generation of people experience and capable of making risk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kranz/unfortunately-as-the-result-of-the-shutdown-of-the-shuttle-program-we/) [Gene Kranz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kranz/) > [“Things must be getting bad in the solar photovoltaic industry if they are now required to install solar module level DC shutdown systems!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/things-must-be-getting-bad-in-the-solar-photovoltaic-industry-if-they/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“About 98% of the women I coach are sensually shutdown. It’s not that they don’t want to experience extraordinary love, they can’t because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/about-98-of-the-women-i-coach-are-sensually-shutdown-it-s-not-that/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [I think the government, if you measure it in terms of the dollars out the door, about 83 percent of the government stays open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-mulvaney/i-think-the-government-if-you-measure-it-in-terms-of-the-dollars-out/) [Mick Mulvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-mulvaney/) > [The shutdown itself is bad but not devastating. The real danger will come up in a couple of weeks. There's legislation which is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-shutdown-itself-is-bad-but-not-devastating-the-real-danger-will/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Computers break down. A lot. Especially if you’ve got an old one that doesn’t work so good anymore and you have to shut programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bathroom-readers-institute/computers-break-down-a-lot-especially-if-you-ve-got-an-old-one-that/) [Bathroom Readers' Institute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bathroom-readers-institute/) > [I mean, the idea of a government shutdown, it's a consequence of our system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-crenshaw/i-mean-the-idea-of-a-government-shutdown-it-s-a-consequence-of-our/) [Dan Crenshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-crenshaw/) > [A government shutdown, it isn't the end of the world. It's a bad thing. The government stops working for a few days. We cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-klein/a-government-shutdown-it-isn-t-the-end-of-the-world-it-s-a-bad-thing/) [Ezra Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-klein/) > [Do you people not care about this bogus government shutdown garbage? Back in 2013 Rob Portman, the senator from Ohio, Republican, suggested the End…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/do-you-people-not-care-about-this-bogus-government-shutdown-garbage/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [ I had to sign the paper to shut down the government. It's terrible… \[But\] what the shutdown showed many, many people is the importance… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-mathews-burwell/i-had-to-sign-the-paper-to-shut-down-the-government-it-s-terrible-but/) [Sylvia Mathews Burwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-mathews-burwell/) > [A government shutdown is inexcusable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/a-government-shutdown-is-inexcusable/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [As has been reported, and is unmistakably evident to all but the most naïve, federal employees have been ordered to exploit this crisis, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/as-has-been-reported-and-is-unmistakably-evident-to-all-but-the-most/) [Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/) > [The government shutdown, we all know that's a sham. I mean, are they really going to just go to the entire Army and Navy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/the-government-shutdown-we-all-know-that-s-a-sham-i-mean-are-they/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) ## More by Patrick Egan > [“When you get to pass between the mountains, leave your rucksack behind. You won't need the compass anymore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-egan/when-you-get-to-pass-between-the-mountains-leave-your-rucksack-behind/) [Patrick Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-egan/) > [“All the experiences of those on the trail, the road and the highway are still to be heard. Stand still.  Stand quiet.  Close your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-egan/all-the-experiences-of-those-on-the-trail-the-road-and-the-highway/) [Patrick Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-egan/) [Explore all 3 Patrick Egan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-egan/) ## More National parks quotes > [If you take away the predators in the prairies and the national parks, you suddenly have an explosion of elk, and then you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benchley/if-you-take-away-the-predators-in-the-prairies-and-the-national-parks/) [Peter Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benchley/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [The national park is the best idea America ever had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bryce/the-national-park-is-the-best-idea-america-ever-had/) [James Bryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bryce/) > [On the lip of the Grand Canyon. I've always wanted to do that. My very first TV special out of the Olympics was on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-boitano/on-the-lip-of-the-grand-canyon-i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-that-my-very/) [Brian Boitano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-boitano/) > [I got to Africa. I got the opportunity to go and learn, not about any animal, but chimpanzees. I was living in my dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/i-got-to-africa-i-got-the-opportunity-to-go-and-learn-not-about-any/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [“Yes sir, yes madam, I entreat you, get out of those motorized wheelchairs, get off your foam rubber backsides, stand up straight like men!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/yes-sir-yes-madam-i-entreat-you-get-out-of-those-motorized/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“radicals in Congress refused to back down, bringing virtually the entire federal government to a halt for sixteen days in October, leaving the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mayer/radicals-in-congress-refused-to-back-down-bringing-virtually-the/) [Jane Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mayer/) > [...Skyscraper National Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/skyscraper-national-park/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Doing nothing to stop national parks being drilled for oil isn't what climate leadership looks like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/doing-nothing-to-stop-national-parks-being-drilled-for-oil-isn-t-what/) [Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/) > [I've been through legislation creating a dozen national parks, and there's always the same pattern. When you first propose a park, and you visit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-udall/i-ve-been-through-legislation-creating-a-dozen-national-parks-and/) [Mo Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-udall/) > [National Parks are a part of the American experience. They evoke memories of childhood vacations and pride in the beauty of our national landscapes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/national-parks-are-a-part-of-the-american-experience-they-evoke/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [“Once you can comfortably walk three or four miles without stopping, consider taking hiking trips—day or overnight—in county, state, or national parks. Hiking outdoors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-j-bourne/once-you-can-comfortably-walk-three-or-four-miles-without-stopping/) [Edmund J. Bourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-j-bourne/) > [“The Obama Administration has been trying to indoctrinate the public with its climate ideology in many ways and through a variety of agencies. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-carlin/the-obama-administration-has-been-trying-to-indoctrinate-the-public/) [Alan Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-carlin/) > [It is important that the remaining scenic areas of the country be at once made into State or National Parks. Fortunately there still are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enos-mills/it-is-important-that-the-remaining-scenic-areas-of-the-country-be-at/) [Enos Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enos-mills/) > [The National Park Service shot a mule in the face. He survived but had trouble swallowing and often food came out of his nose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleveland-amory/the-national-park-service-shot-a-mule-in-the-face-he-survived-but-had/) [Cleveland Amory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleveland-amory/) [Browse all 131 National parks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-parks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand Dryers?  I felt bad enough being locked out of the National Parks and Forests because of the Federal Shutdown, so the chance to salvage something uniquely interesting and culturally important as the hand dryer factory slipped by me.  Not one sign on any exit ramp.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Egan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-egan/berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dryers-i-felt-bad-enough-being/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "National parks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-egan/berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dryers-i-felt-bad-enough-being/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/patrick-egan-74685_national-parks_berkeley-was-the-capital-of-the-hand-dry_1602325.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Berkeley was the Capital of the Hand Dryers? 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