--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The meal was breakfast: the subject…" description: "\"“The meal was breakfast: the subject, utility clothing. 'As for the stuff they're turning out for men nowadays,' said Mr Thwaites bitterly, 'I wouldn't..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/patrick-hamilton-36486_food_the-meal-was-breakfast-the-subject-utili_1900554.jpg" --- # The meal was breakfast: the subject, utility clothing. 'As… ![“The meal was breakfast: the subject, utility clothing. 'As for the stuff they're turning out for men nowadays,' said Mr Thwaites bitterly, 'I wouldn't give it to my Valet.' Mr Thwaites' valet was quite an old friend. An unearthly, flitting presence, whose shape, character, age, and appearance…” quote by Patrick Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/patrick-hamilton-36486_food_the-meal-was-breakfast-the-subject-utili_1900554.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/patrick-hamilton-36486_food_the-meal-was-breakfast-the-subject-utili_1900554.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/patrick-hamilton-36486_food_the-meal-was-breakfast-the-subject-utili_1900554.jpg) > ““The meal was breakfast: the subject, utility clothing. 'As for the stuff they're turning out for men nowadays,' said Mr Thwaites bitterly, 'I wouldn't give it to my Valet.' Mr Thwaites' valet was quite an old friend. An unearthly, flitting presence, whose shape, character, age, and appearance could only be dimly conceived, he had been turning up every now and again ever since Miss Roach had known Mr Thwaites. Mostly he was summoned into being as one from whom all second-rate, shoddy, or inferior articles were withheld. But sometimes things were good enough for Mr Thwaites' valet, but would not do for Mr Thwaites. ”” [Patrick Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A satirical description of a man's disdain for modern clothing and the selective quality of his valet's service. **In simple terms:** Critique of fashion and selective service. Key Takeaway Reflect on personal standards and hypocrisy. Themes fashion class hypocrisy satire Mood critical ironic contemplative Type literary satirical When to use this quote - shopping - personal styling - service industry - social gatherings Key Concepts consumerism social critique elitism Questions to Reflect On - Do we judge others based on superficial traits? - How does selective service affect relationships? A Different Perspective May overgeneralize or mock specific groups. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Old friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-friend/) [Thwaites Summoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thwaites-summoned-2801970/) [Thwaites Valet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thwaites-valet-2801968/) [Valet Mr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valet-mr-2801969/) [Valet Quite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valet-quite-2801972/) [Wouldn Valet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wouldn-valet-2801971/) ## Related quotes > [“Every murderer is probably somebody’s old friend,” observed Poirot philosophically. “You cannot mix up sentiment and reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/every-murderer-is-probably-somebody-s-old-friend-observed-poirot/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [“Beware the road outside your door, for it is all at once old friend and passing stranger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-w-cooper/beware-the-road-outside-your-door-for-it-is-all-at-once-old-friend/) [Loren W. 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'As for the stuff they're turning out for men nowadays,' said Mr Thwaites bitterly, 'I wouldn't give it to my Valet.' Mr Thwaites' valet was quite an old friend. An unearthly, flitting presence, whose shape, character, age, and appearance could only be dimly conceived, he had been turning up every now and again ever since Miss Roach had known Mr Thwaites. Mostly he was summoned into being as one from whom all second-rate, shoddy, or inferior articles were withheld. 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