--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was 10:45. Across the continent Susan…" description: "\"“It was 10:45. Across the continent Susan would be putting on her makeup now, and spraying some perfume on herself and making sure her hair was perfect..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/robert-b-parker-2608_noir_it-was-10-45-across-the-continent-susan_3173748.jpg" --- # It was 10:45. Across the continent Susan would be putting… ![“It was 10:45. Across the continent Susan would be putting on her makeup now, and spraying some perfume on herself and making sure her hair was perfect. I looked at my reflection in the window. My hair wasn’t perfect. Neither was I.” quote by Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/robert-b-parker-2608_noir_it-was-10-45-across-the-continent-susan_3173748.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/robert-b-parker-2608_noir_it-was-10-45-across-the-continent-susan_3173748.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/robert-b-parker-2608_noir_it-was-10-45-across-the-continent-susan_3173748.jpg) > ““It was 10:45. Across the continent Susan would be putting on her makeup now, and spraying some perfume on herself and making sure her hair was perfect. I looked at my reflection in the window. My hair wasn’t perfect. Neither was I.”” [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator compares his imperfect self‑image to a distant woman’s polished routine, highlighting universal insecurity about appearance. **In simple terms:** We all feel flawed when we compare ourselves to others. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection; focus on inner worth. Themes self‑esteem comparison identity Mood reflective empathetic Type literary personal. When to use this quote - dating - morning routines - social media scrolling - personal reflection Key Concepts self‑image social pressure authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of yourself do you value beyond looks? - How can you practice self‑compassion in daily routines? A Different Perspective Comparison can ignore deeper qualities and cause unnecessary self‑criticism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Continent Susan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continent-susan-5787087/) [Hair Wasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair-wasn-1844662/) [Looked Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked-reflection-719598/) [Noir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noir/) [Perfume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfume/) [Putting Makeup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/putting-makeup-784866/) ## Related quotes > [“It was frightening, though, how little time you got. You only became yourself when you were twenty-three or twenty-four. A few years later, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roddy-doyle/it-was-frightening-though-how-little-time-you-got-you-only-became/) [Roddy Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roddy-doyle/) > [“This Santa's beard was real, and so was his hair. 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Susan nodded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/i-think-you-ve-never-quite-altogether-forgiven-yourself-for-that/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [If you want to write, write it. That's the first rule. And send it in, and send it in to someone who can publish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/if-you-want-to-write-write-it-that-s-the-first-rule-and-send-it-in/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“Susan had decided to sit by the pool at the hotel with a copy of a book by Alice Miller called The Drama of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/susan-had-decided-to-sit-by-the-pool-at-the-hotel-with-a-copy-of-a/) [Robert B. 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