---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went to a general store but they…"
description: "\"I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.\" — Steven Wright"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg"
---

#  I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy…

![“I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.” quote by Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg)

> “I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.”

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

## About This Quote

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

The store’s refusal to sell specific items highlights absurdity of consumer expectations.

**In simple terms:** Stores sometimes deny specific purchases.

Key Takeaway

Question absurdities.

Themes

absurdity consumer culture expectations

Mood

humorous critical

Type

comedic observational

When to use this quote

- shopping experiences
- customer service
- personal anecdotes

Key Concepts

satire social critique

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we expect precise choices?
- How does absurdity reveal truth?

A Different Perspective

Not all stores are absurd; context matters.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [I went to a general store. They wouldn't let me buy anything specifically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-a-general-store-they-wouldn-t-let-me-buy-anything/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [“I went into a general store. They wouldn't let me buy anything specifically.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-into-a-general-store-they-wouldn-t-let-me-buy-anything/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [ I was in Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Bahrain. The first year I went pretty much by myself. Then I went with General \[Richard\] Myers, head… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-was-in-iraq-afghanistan-djibouti-bahrain-the-first-year-i-went/)

[Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/)

> [Science and time and necessity have propelled us, the United States, to be the general store of the world, dealers in everything. Most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-bird-johnson/science-and-time-and-necessity-have-propelled-us-the-united-states-to/)

[Lady Bird Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-bird-johnson/)

> [“George took a quick inventory of their purchases, then laughed. “Bess, it’s a good thing we got you to leave that last department store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-keene/george-took-a-quick-inventory-of-their-purchases-then-laughed-bess-it/)

[Carolyn Keene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-keene/)

> [If I opened a record store, it wouldn't be all punk rock and esoterica.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/if-i-opened-a-record-store-it-wouldn-t-be-all-punk-rock-and-esoterica/)

[James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/)

> [When I campaign with seniors, it's always, 'Are you a Democrat or Republican?' But when I campaign on college campuses, they ask me where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/when-i-campaign-with-seniors-it-s-always-are-you-a-democrat-or/)

[Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/)

> [I have a mole in my eye, which is a very specific thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-kelechi-watson/i-have-a-mole-in-my-eye-which-is-a-very-specific-thing/)

[Susan Kelechi Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-kelechi-watson/)

> [I definitely hand myself over to the hair and makeup gods of 'Girls.' Our look on the show is very specific, and it's different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-williams/i-definitely-hand-myself-over-to-the-hair-and-makeup-gods-of-girls/)

[Allison Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-williams/)

> [“specific values to objects. When they have to give something up, they are hurt more than they are pleased if they acquire the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/specific-values-to-objects-when-they-have-to-give-something-up-they/)

[Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/)

> [I think the most important lesson isn't necessarily to try and write a different book every time, or to try and brand yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bohjalian/i-think-the-most-important-lesson-isn-t-necessarily-to-try-and-write/)

[Chris Bohjalian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bohjalian/)

> [It's still true that literary works by women, gays, and writers of color are often framed as specific, rather than universal, small rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/it-s-still-true-that-literary-works-by-women-gays-and-writers-of/)

[Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/)

> [I don't know what it is about me that gets cast in specific roles. Some people would say, 'You're just a pretty face,' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-park/i-don-t-know-what-it-is-about-me-that-gets-cast-in-specific-roles/)

[Grace Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-park/)

> [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/)

[Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/)

> [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/)

[Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/)

## More by Steven Wright

> [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [My dental hygienist is cute. Every time I visit, I eat a whole package of Oreo cookies while waiting in the lobby. Sometimes she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/my-dental-hygienist-is-cute-every-time-i-visit-i-eat-a-whole-package/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/if-lawyers-are-disbarred-and-clergymen-defrocked-doesn-t-it-follow/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [If I ever had twins, I'd use one for parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/if-i-ever-had-twins-i-d-use-one-for-parts/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [Nobody can really compare a relationship in which the victim is 15 years old to one where she's 6. While both criminal, they're very different circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/nobody-can-really-compare-a-relationship-in-which-the-victim-is-15/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [I saw a tree fall in the woods, and I didn't hear it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-saw-a-tree-fall-in-the-woods-and-i-didn-t-hear-it/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [It's very intense to be in front of a live audience. It's just an amazing experience. It's dangerous. Everything out there is heightened. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/it-s-very-intense-to-be-in-front-of-a-live-audience-it-s-just-an/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [I got pulled over by a cop, and he said, 'do you know the speed limit here is 55 miles per hour?'. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-got-pulled-over-by-a-cop-and-he-said-do-you-know-the-speed-limit/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [Babies don't need a vacation, but I still see them at the beach... it pisses me off! I'll go over to a little baby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/babies-don-t-need-a-vacation-but-i-still-see-them-at-the-beach-it/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [“I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-just-got-out-of-the-hospital-i-was-in-a-speed-reading-accident-i/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [When I'm on stage, it's really intense. My mind is going a million miles an hour, trying to remember my act, trying to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/when-i-m-on-stage-it-s-really-intense-my-mind-is-going-a-million/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [I don't like politicians, and I don't like politics. I definitely don't want to be associated with any of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-don-t-like-politicians-and-i-don-t-like-politics-i-definitely-don-t/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [I went to this restaurant last night that was set up like a big buffet in the shape of an Ouija board. You'd think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-this-restaurant-last-night-that-was-set-up-like-a-big/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/why-isn-t-the-number-11-pronounced-onety-one/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/a-conscience-is-what-hurts-when-all-your-other-parts-feel-so-good/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

[Explore all 564 Steven Wright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

## More Specific quotes

> [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/)

[Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/)

> [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/)

[Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/)

> [I don't know what it is about me that gets cast in specific roles. Some people would say, 'You're just a pretty face,' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-park/i-don-t-know-what-it-is-about-me-that-gets-cast-in-specific-roles/)

[Grace Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-park/)

> [It's still true that literary works by women, gays, and writers of color are often framed as specific, rather than universal, small rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/it-s-still-true-that-literary-works-by-women-gays-and-writers-of/)

[Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/)

> [I think the most important lesson isn't necessarily to try and write a different book every time, or to try and brand yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bohjalian/i-think-the-most-important-lesson-isn-t-necessarily-to-try-and-write/)

[Chris Bohjalian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bohjalian/)

> [“specific values to objects. When they have to give something up, they are hurt more than they are pleased if they acquire the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/specific-values-to-objects-when-they-have-to-give-something-up-they/)

[Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/)

> [I definitely hand myself over to the hair and makeup gods of 'Girls.' Our look on the show is very specific, and it's different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-williams/i-definitely-hand-myself-over-to-the-hair-and-makeup-gods-of-girls/)

[Allison Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-williams/)

> [I have a mole in my eye, which is a very specific thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-kelechi-watson/i-have-a-mole-in-my-eye-which-is-a-very-specific-thing/)

[Susan Kelechi Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-kelechi-watson/)

> [When I campaign with seniors, it's always, 'Are you a Democrat or Republican?' But when I campaign on college campuses, they ask me where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/when-i-campaign-with-seniors-it-s-always-are-you-a-democrat-or/)

[Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/)

> [If you start out trying to achieve a specific thing - like doing stadium shows or going into the studio and doing an album…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-strait/if-you-start-out-trying-to-achieve-a-specific-thing-like-doing/)

[George Strait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-strait/)

> [Don’t become a wandering generality. Be a meaningful specific.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/don-t-become-a-wandering-generality-be-a-meaningful-specific/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [I have a specific set of, I have a specific sort of negative energies to deal with that might be specific to me, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-lennon/i-have-a-specific-set-of-i-have-a-specific-sort-of-negative-energies/)

[Sean Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-lennon/)

> [What's the fun in approaching something closed-minded? I'm very specific; if dialogue is too on-the-nose, or there's a lot of telling and not showing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rothhaar/what-s-the-fun-in-approaching-something-closed-minded-i-m-very/)

[Will Rothhaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rothhaar/)

> [Prayer is a specific divine appointment, an ordinance of Heaven, whereby God purposes to carry out His gracious designs on earth and to execute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-is-a-specific-divine-appointment-an-ordinance-of-heaven/)

[Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/)

> [Everything we design is a response to the specific climate and culture of a particular place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-foster/everything-we-design-is-a-response-to-the-specific-climate-and/)

[Norman Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-foster/)

Browse all 424 Specific quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steven Wright"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-wouldn-t-let-me-buy-anything/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Specific"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-wouldn-t-let-me-buy-anything/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/steven-wright-432_specific_i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-would_386308.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.” — Steven Wright",
                "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": "Steven Wright",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I went to a general store...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-wouldn-t-let-me-buy-anything/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-a-general-store-but-they-wouldn-t-let-me-buy-anything/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```