--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We've come a long way from having one…" description: "\"We've come a long way from having one land line that was forbidden to be answered during dinner. We had no answering machine, just a dad who barked, 'W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/regina-brett-3890_answered_we-ve-come-a-long-way-from-having-one-la_2334479.png" --- # We've come a long way from having one land line that was… ![“We've come a long way from having one land line that was forbidden to be answered during dinner. We had no answering machine, just a dad who barked, 'Who calls during dinner? If it's important, they'll call back.' He was right.” quote by Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/regina-brett-3890_answered_we-ve-come-a-long-way-from-having-one-la_2334479.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/regina-brett-3890_answered_we-ve-come-a-long-way-from-having-one-la_2334479.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/691/regina-brett-3890_answered_we-ve-come-a-long-way-from-having-one-la_2334479.png) > “We've come a long way from having one land line that was forbidden to be answered during dinner. We had no answering machine, just a dad who barked, 'Who calls during dinner? If it's important, they'll call back.' He was right.” [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects how communication norms have evolved from rigid, limited phone use to constant connectivity, highlighting generational attitudes toward interruptions. **In simple terms:** Communication has changed from strict phone rules to always‑on connectivity. Key Takeaway Embrace modern communication while setting boundaries. Themes technology communication generational change family dynamics Mood reflective nostalgic thoughtful Type observational personal When to use this quote - family dinner - work meetings - remote work - social media usage Key Concepts social norms boundary setting digital overload Questions to Reflect On - How do you set boundaries with modern communication? - What habits help maintain focus during meals? A Different Perspective Balancing constant connectivity with personal time can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Dinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinner/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) ## Related quotes > [I'm anywhere the dope go, With my Henny and my 44, Wit' your shorty on my land line, I'm on the money every damn time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/french-montana/i-m-anywhere-the-dope-go-with-my-henny-and-my-44-wit-your-shorty-on/) [French Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/french-montana/) > [The only reason I still have a land line is so that I can call my cell and find out where I left it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-reason-i-still-have-a-land-line-is-so-that-i-can-call-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She never opened her mail in the middle of the day. Sometimes she forgot about it for a week or more until people rang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicci-french/she-never-opened-her-mail-in-the-middle-of-the-day-sometimes-she/) [Nicci French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicci-french/) > [You wonder if God doesn't have an answering machine to screen out the prayers of the venal and the boring? And in which category…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/you-wonder-if-god-doesn-t-have-an-answering-machine-to-screen-out-the/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [I remember a few years ago I was sitting at home with my wife watching the Oscars. I was sitting on the couch and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/i-remember-a-few-years-ago-i-was-sitting-at-home-with-my-wife/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [What I like best about the telephone is that it keeps you in touch with people, particularly people who want to sell you magazine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/what-i-like-best-about-the-telephone-is-that-it-keeps-you-in-touch/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [People ask me to record their answering machines all the time. I love it. It's a miracle to me that people want to hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/people-ask-me-to-record-their-answering-machines-all-the-time-i-love/) [Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/) > [Like most people, you listen to yourself on the phone or an answering machine and you're like, 'Ugh.' So to do something with just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/like-most-people-you-listen-to-yourself-on-the-phone-or-an-answering/) [Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/) > [“She never answers during the day," Max explained. "She lets her machine pick up." People like you are the reason other people get answering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-russo/she-never-answers-during-the-day-max-explained-she-lets-her-machine/) [Richard Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-russo/) > [I think people who aren't in film experience that when they hear their voice on an answering machine or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-think-people-who-aren-t-in-film-experience-that-when-they-hear/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [The dead have no ears, no answering machines that we know of, still we call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hicok/the-dead-have-no-ears-no-answering-machines-that-we-know-of-still-we/) [Bob Hicok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hicok/) > [Everyone I talked to was a recording-the bank, the elevator, your office, the school, a wrong number. You used to be able to call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/everyone-i-talked-to-was-a-recording-the-bank-the-elevator-your/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I'm definitely a child of the 21st century and I prefer texting to phone calls, but I would prefer an answering machine over all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-dooling/i-m-definitely-a-child-of-the-21st-century-and-i-prefer-texting-to/) [Brendan Dooling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-dooling/) > [Fax me a fact and I'll telegram a hologram or telephone the son of man and tell him he is done. Leave a message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-williams/fax-me-a-fact-and-i-ll-telegram-a-hologram-or-telephone-the-son-of/) [Saul Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-williams/) > [ \[Answering the phone\] Hello, this is a recording, you've dialed the right number, now hang up and don't do it again. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sinatra/answering-the-phone-hello-this-is-a-recording-you-ve-dialed-the-right/) [Frank Sinatra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sinatra/) ## More by Regina Brett > [“Wouldn't it be great if health-care plans included a list of Buddhist monks among the network providers?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/wouldn-t-it-be-great-if-health-care-plans-included-a-list-of-buddhist/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > ['Star Trek' never grabbed me. Every time I hear about Klingons, I think of those little lint balls that stick to your clothes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/star-trek-never-grabbed-me-every-time-i-hear-about-klingons-i-think/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Eating something fresh out of the oven is like a hug you can taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/eating-something-fresh-out-of-the-oven-is-like-a-hug-you-can-taste/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Choas will come, calm will follow, and then it will start up all over again. The secret is to savor the ride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/choas-will-come-calm-will-follow-and-then-it-will-start-up-all-over/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/when-it-comes-to-chocolate-resistance-is-futile/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/get-outside-every-day-miracles-are-waiting-everywhere/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Writer's block.. when one curses the blinking cursor on the blank page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/writer-s-block-when-one-curses-the-blinking-cursor-on-the-blank-page/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [...there were two kinds of women: those who wear nail polish and those who don't. Which do you prefer?...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/there-were-two-kinds-of-women-those-who-wear-nail-polish-and-those/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [“My life used to be like that game of freeze tag we played as kids. Once tagged, you had to freeze in the situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/my-life-used-to-be-like-that-game-of-freeze-tag-we-played-as-kids/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/if-a-relationship-has-to-be-a-secret-you-shouldn-t-be-in-it/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [My daughter had carried within her a story that kept hurting her: Her dad abandoned her. She started telling herself a new story. Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/my-daughter-had-carried-within-her-a-story-that-kept-hurting-her-her/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/make-peace-with-your-past-so-it-won-t-screw-up-the-present/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Forgive everyone everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/forgive-everyone-everything/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Going through chemo is like investing money in a retirement account. You feel the hit right now, but later in life you get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/going-through-chemo-is-like-investing-money-in-a-retirement-account/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [When I turned 45, I lay in bed reflecting on all life had taught me. My soul sprang a leak and ideas flowed out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/when-i-turned-45-i-lay-in-bed-reflecting-on-all-life-had-taught-me-my/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) [Explore all 120 Regina Brett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) ## More Answered quotes > [“Obama answered, “Yes. I’m no peacenik.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-gates/obama-answered-yes-i-m-no-peacenik/) [Robert M. Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-gates/) > [“She answered that she liked standing up and”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/she-answered-that-she-liked-standing-up-and/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [“I am your queen,” the woman answered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/i-am-your-queen-the-woman-answered/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [It is my fate that some of my questions will never be answered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-my-fate-that-some-of-my-questions-will-never-be-answered/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you had not answered the call, it wouldn't have become a conversation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/if-you-had-not-answered-the-call-it-wouldn-t-have-become-a/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [“I answered, concealed in the storm cloud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psalm-81-7-grail-translation/i-answered-concealed-in-the-storm-cloud/) Psalm 81 7 Grail translation > [“You may ask any question. Some, however, must be answered by silence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/you-may-ask-any-question-some-however-must-be-answered-by-silence/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [Anytime someone has said to me, 'You can't do that,' I have answered, 'Watch me.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-pressly/anytime-someone-has-said-to-me-you-can-t-do-that-i-have-answered/) [Jaime Pressly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-pressly/) > [until the end of the world,all whys will be answered,but now,you can only ask!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/until-the-end-of-the-world-all-whys-will-be-answered-but-now-you-can/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [“Sometimes prayers are answered.” Jon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/sometimes-prayers-are-answered-jon/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Some questions are too stupid to be answered”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ria-tumimomor/some-questions-are-too-stupid-to-be-answered/) Ria Tumimomor > [I really liked the idea of creating a journal myself. It's like the way I clear my throat. I write a page every day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/i-really-liked-the-idea-of-creating-a-journal-myself-it-s-like-the/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > ['Help' is a prayer that is always answered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/help-is-a-prayer-that-is-always-answered/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Come on! 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