Context

This famous line is spoken by Blanche DuBois, played by Vivien Leigh, in A Streetcar Named Desire (directed by Elia Kazan, 1951). It's originally from the play.

This film isn't called A Streetcar Named Kindness. It's A Streetcar Named Desire. But the tragic Blanche DuBois often mistakes the two as one in the same, unable to separate her fantasy from reality.

Poor Blanche says this line to the doctor about to cart her off to the mental institution after she's been raped by Stanley. Blanche is dependent, yes...but on kindness? We don't think so.

Where you've heard it

If someone drops this line, make sure they're okay and whatever they're talking about was actually nice—not crazy or abusive like the "kindness" Blanche is often subjected to.

Additional Notable References

• Many people reference this quote literally, like a book about backpacking across America or a This American Life episode about kindness in New York City or a collection of inspiring tales. 
• Final Fantasy XIV asks you to be kind to strangers. 
• Someone in Angels in America thinks depending on the kindness of strangers is "a stupid thing to do." 
• This scary story seems appropriate, considering the quote's true meaning.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

 

Blanche is a little nuts, and this quote isn't about kindness at all.