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About this quote

What does it mean?
Izzard observes that racist people often lack the polite social norms that smokers share.
In plain terms
Smokers have a common courtesy that racist people do not.
What can you take from it?
Social groups often form unexpected bonds through shared habits.

Where it applies

  • social commentary
  • stand-up comedy
  • observing behavior

Putting it to work

  • analyzing social groups
  • identifying shared habits

Questions to consider

  • What shared habits create unexpected community?
  • How do social norms vary between groups?

Another view

The comparison relies on generalization which may not hold for every individual.

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