---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s actually entertaining.” “You say…"
description: "\"“It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that like you’re surprised.” He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, and..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg"
---

#  It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that like you’re…

![“It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that like you’re surprised.” He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, and I realized I’d really put him on the spot. What could he say to that? Based on our numerous conversations, I was under the impression communication…” quote by Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg)

> ““It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that like you’re surprised.” He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, and I realized I’d really put him on the spot. What could he say to that? Based on our numerous conversations, I was under the impression communication wasn’t your strong suit? “Never mind,” I said, taking the steam kettle off the stove and filling it with water. I was a British-breakfast-tea-in-the-morning girl, and I made it using a real teapot and everything. “I’m not fishing for compliments.” Okay, I was a little. “I just…I just didn’t expect it to be so funny,” Jason said. “You wanted a serious column about hot dogs?””

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

## About This Quote

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

A humorous exchange reveals tension when someone is unexpectedly challenged, highlighting social awkwardness and quick wit.

**In simple terms:** Unexpected challenges can be funny and awkward.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humor in tense moments.

Themes

social dynamics humor communication

Mood

playful lighthearted reflective

Type

narrative dialogue

When to use this quote

- meeting
- public speaking
- interview
- teammate banter

Key Concepts

awkwardness wit unexpected pressure

Questions to Reflect On

- What does the reaction reveal about the characters?
- How can humor defuse tension?

A Different Perspective

Humor may mask deeper discomfort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Hot dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot-dogs/)

## Related quotes

> [“I’m sorry. I know how much players have to focus, and I know not to be a distraction. I just got caught up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-m-sorry-i-know-how-much-players-have-to-focus-and-i-know-not-to-be/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [I would never want to do something just for the sake of being independent or for the sake of doing big films. I'm always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/i-would-never-want-to-do-something-just-for-the-sake-of-being/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [I like to be surprised by life; it's a good thing to search for the puzzle pieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-mcdermitt/i-like-to-be-surprised-by-life-it-s-a-good-thing-to-search-for-the/)

[Josh McDermitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-mcdermitt/)

> [The unknown is very appealing to me. I like to be surprised. I love the idea I might know less at the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-spader/the-unknown-is-very-appealing-to-me-i-like-to-be-surprised-i-love-the/)

[James Spader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-spader/)

> [When I read a book, I like to be surprised. I don't want to read the same genre formula that I've read a hundred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-williamson/when-i-read-a-book-i-like-to-be-surprised-i-don-t-want-to-read-the/)

[Chet Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-williamson/)

> [I always like being surprised and sort of caught off guard by other people's work. So it doesn't cause me any anxiety to explore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bradley/i-always-like-being-surprised-and-sort-of-caught-off-guard-by-other/)

[Joe Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bradley/)

> [I do like to be surprised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-rae-perkins/i-do-like-to-be-surprised/)

[Lynne Rae Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-rae-perkins/)

> [One of the reasons I write is I like being surprised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-enright/one-of-the-reasons-i-write-is-i-like-being-surprised/)

[Anne Enright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-enright/)

> [I like to be surprised by life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-mcdermitt/i-like-to-be-surprised-by-life/)

[Josh McDermitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-mcdermitt/)

> [I like to be surprised! But it's always hard to surprise me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-like-to-be-surprised-but-it-s-always-hard-to-surprise-me/)

[Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/)

> [That of all people, it should be him; that took her aback. That the heart should settle on somebody like him; that surprised her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/that-of-all-people-it-should-be-him-that-took-her-aback-that-the/)

[Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/)

> [I do like being surprised by directors and producers and being offered parts I would never have considered, including parts that aren't necessarily obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/i-do-like-being-surprised-by-directors-and-producers-and-being/)

[Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/)

> [I guess no matter what your family is like, you're not surprised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-niffenegger/i-guess-no-matter-what-your-family-is-like-you-re-not-surprised/)

[Audrey Niffenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-niffenegger/)

> [Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/not-like-tobias-who-is-almost-shy-when-he-smiles-like-he-is-surprised/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [I like to be surprised. The best writing is when it defies me, when it starts going a different way than I had planned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/i-like-to-be-surprised-the-best-writing-is-when-it-defies-me-when-it/)

[Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/)

## More by Rachel Hawthorne

> [“A dog wash?” Bird repeated the next morning. I’d called her to let her know I needed to talk. She was making her Scoopin’…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/a-dog-wash-bird-repeated-the-next-morning-i-d-called-her-to-let-her/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“You never talk to the pitcher when…” He shook his head. “You just never talk to the pitcher when--” “I just wanted to congratulate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/you-never-talk-to-the-pitcher-when-he-shook-his-head-you-just-never/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“Hey, ya'll,can we go?" Leah asked. "The cute guys are gonna be taken by the time we get there." "No,they won't be," Sam said,"Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/hey-ya-ll-can-we-go-leah-asked-the-cute-guys-are-gonna-be-taken-by/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“I haven’t had cotton candy in forever,” he said. “I’d forgotten how…sugary it is.” “It’s pure sugar.” “I wonder who invented it.” “I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-haven-t-had-cotton-candy-in-forever-he-said-i-d-forgotten-how/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“Deception may give us what we want for the present, but it will always take it away in the end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/deception-may-give-us-what-we-want-for-the-present-but-it-will-always/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“You’ve got Mac. When we went to get drinks at the concert, all he talked about was how cool you were. And Jason? The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/you-ve-got-mac-when-we-went-to-get-drinks-at-the-concert-all-he/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“Dani, I saw your roster that night at Ben and Jerry’s, when it fell out of your bag. I unfolded it, shouldn’t have, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/dani-i-saw-your-roster-that-night-at-ben-and-jerry-s-when-it-fell-out/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“ Crack! I covered my head, ducked down. Bird didn’t laugh. She likened me to a survivor of some traumatic event who is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/crack-i-covered-my-head-ducked-down-bird-didn-t-laugh-she-likened-me/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“I'm trying to figure out how much I need to deposit into the Kate-have-a-good-time fund," he said. "It's pretty empty.You might have to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-m-trying-to-figure-out-how-much-i-need-to-deposit-into-the-kate/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“I wasn’t usually one to toot my own horn, which could also explain the no-boyfriend-status of my life. If bright plumage was the key,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-wasn-t-usually-one-to-toot-my-own-horn-which-could-also-explain-the/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“I need to figure out what it was I did that made me hit the home run.” “You connected the bat to the ball.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-need-to-figure-out-what-it-was-i-did-that-made-me-hit-the-home-run/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“I found him in the kitchen, at the table in the bay window, already eating his cereal. “I was going to fix you breakfast,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-found-him-in-the-kitchen-at-the-table-in-the-bay-window-already/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“Sides, i don't like the posed pics.They're not the real person.They're a reflection of what the person wants the world to think of her-not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/sides-i-don-t-like-the-posed-pics-they-re-not-the-real-person-they-re/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“I can't believe you'd rather hold handle bars than a girl." He angled his head thoughtfully."I hadn't considered that." "Maybe you should." He hopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-can-t-believe-you-d-rather-hold-handle-bars-than-a-girl-he-angled/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

> [“He finally cleared his throat. "Well, huh." "Yeah," I said. "What now?" "Well"—he cleared his throat again—"I guess you and I go. I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/he-finally-cleared-his-throat-well-huh-yeah-i-said-what-now-well-he/)

[Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

[Explore all 191 Rachel Hawthorne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/)

## More Communication quotes

> [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/)

[Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/)

> [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/)

[John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/)

> [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/)

[Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/)

> [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/)

[Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/)

> [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/)

[Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/)

> [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/)

[Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/)

> [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/)

[Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/)

> [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/)

[Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/)

> [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. I've been in a public bathroom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-ve-been-in-a-serious-conversation-with-one-of-my-children-and-a-fan/)

[Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/)

> [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/)

[Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/)

> [Disability, in general, hasn't been included in the conversation about inclusivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-winston-george/disability-in-general-hasn-t-been-included-in-the-conversation-about/)

[Jason Winston George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-winston-george/)

> [“Women will be at least 50 percent of the communications community workforce … from executive suite to interns. Why? The “integrated” agency will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoram-wind/women-will-be-at-least-50-percent-of-the-communications-community/)

Yoram Wind

> [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/)

[Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/)

[Browse all 21,506 Communication quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that like you’re surprised.” He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, and I realized I’d really put him on the spot. What could he say to that? Based on our numerous conversations, I was under the impression communication wasn’t your strong suit? “Never mind,” I said, taking the steam kettle off the stove and filling it with water. I was a British-breakfast-tea-in-the-morning girl, and I made it using a real teapot and everything. “I’m not fishing for compliments.” Okay, I was a little. “I just…I just didn’t expect it to be so funny,” Jason said. “You wanted a serious column about hot dogs?”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rachel Hawthorne"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that-like-you-re-surprised-he/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Communication"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that-like-you-re-surprised-he/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f54/rachel-hawthorne-1967_communication_it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that_425220.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that like you’re surprised.” He looked like a deer caught in the…” — Rachel Hawthorne",
                "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": "Rachel Hawthorne",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“It’s actually entertaining.” “You say that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that-like-you-re-surprised-he/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/it-s-actually-entertaining-you-say-that-like-you-re-surprised-he/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
