About this quote

We are taught from childhood to keep our negative thoughts to ourselves. But let's face it: shared complaints and whispered secrets build a strange, fast bond between people. There is a sharp, guilty pleasure in finding someone who shares your exact frustrations or petty observations. It is far easier to connect over a bit of wicked humor than to pretend we are all saints. Do you want to hide behind polite masks, or do you want to find your people and have an honest laugh?

When to use it

• You and your favorite coworker sit at the very back of a grueling, three-hour corporate slide presentation. You nudge them, point to the empty seat next to you, and whisper this to survive the afternoon.
• During a tense family holiday dinner where your aunt is lecturing everyone about their life choices, you catch your cousin's eye. You pat the chair beside you and mouth these words to break the tension.
• You are at a dull, awkward house party where everyone is bragging about their perfect lives. You find another guest hiding in the kitchen looking bored, and you use this line to start a real, funny conversation.