I walked down the hall and saw that [she] was sitting on the floor next to a chair. This is always a bad sign. It's a slippery slope, and it's best just to sit in chairs, to eat when hungry, to sleep and rise and work. But we have all been there. Chairs are for people, and you're not sure if you are one.

Summary

This quote explores the idea of conformity and self-doubt. The speaker observes someone sitting on the floor rather than using a chair and reflects on the implied unease in such behavior. Sitting in a chair symbolizes adhering to societal norms and routines, while sitting on the floor represents deviating from the expected path. This deviation opens the door to questioning one's identity and sense of belonging. The quote suggests that although individuals may battle with feelings of uncertainty and non-conformity at times, it is a familiar experience that most if not all have both encountered and empathized with.

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