How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Everything was convenient, centrally located, and lonesome. I lived in the utmost luxury. Other guests came and went silently. If one confronted them with "Good evening," they looked a little confused and then responded, "Good evening." It seemed to me that they looked at me for a place to insert a coin. (3.7.120)
Steinbeck laments the impersonal hotel/motel culture in the West, where the "do it yourself" attitude means you can toast your own bread and basically make your own breakfast without having to ever interact with anyone. And so, when you actually try to interact with someone, they look at you like you're cray-cray. Steinbeck is not a fan.