David Sedaris on Storytelling, Humor & Chatting with Strangers

[@shelby8364]

David is the coolest. I met him after a reading when I was 17 and was nervous and told him so, and he told me to slap him in the face because "you can't be nervous around someone you've slapped" and insisted I do so, I gave him the softest smack on the cheek lol. He gave me a bracelet and I gave him a note I wrote to him in the car OTW to the reading. Hell of an experience!

[@Kev80ification]

Beautiful ❤

[@matthewhochman3232]

I had the extreme pleasure of working backstage for Mr. Sedaris this past summer, The man is charming, he really does take the time to talk to EVERYBODY, and he is genuinely interested in what you have to say. An absolute pleasure to work for.

[@KateCarew]

You’re so right! He’s a genuinely gracious and interested person, I think that’s just one of the many charms that makes him so fascinating.

[@tiffinyharrington9307]

He does indeed take the time. One reading in East Lansing he sat at a table for at least an hour before his show. He talked for several minutes to every single person who wanted a book signed. Had no entourage, no security on top of him. Just signed and chatted until no one was in the queue.

[@KateCarew]

Tiffiny Harrington right?!? The fact he’s just solo makes it sort of instantly disarming, he just gets there early and hangs out, stays late and hangs out, the lines can be epic but he hangs on and that’s the mark if someone truly interested in others and someone who really appreciates their audience. He is a national treasure in the same vein as Mark Twain and I keep trying to get him on a stamp but the post office seems to think you can’t be alive to be on a stamp. I say to hell with the post office. And I have seen him in East Lansing too! Ann Arbor also!

[@winebox]

kate carew Omg! I occasionally go up to Ann Arbor to shop. Where did you see him there? I swear I once saw Christopher Imperioli walking down Liberty St. near 4th.

[@KateCarew]

winebox I go to his lectures :) Whenever he tours it seems he stops in Ann Arbor? A couple times he went to East Lansing too! I saw Seth Rogan with Anna Faris and Chris Pratt there once sitting outside at a coffee shop. I just walked by nodded my head as one does in A2 since it’s so friendly and they waved and said hi. Unfortunately I think it tipped off some people walking behind me who swarmed in for photos. When I left the coffee shop I said “hope you enjoy your stay” and they were chatty, asked about the town, said they liked the privacy...this was a decade ago roughly?? There are tons of celebrities in and around there, I saw Aretha Franklin at both Burger King and Meijer in Toledo 😂 She was hilarious and she was wearing jammies! She told the Burger King people to give free refills on milkshakes NOT JOKING. I live in a suburb of Toledo and Katie Holmes was a classmate and our dads worked together so I see her pretty often, she’s building a house on the river right down the road from me, saw her at the bank around Christmas and she showed me the plans. It’s really a very very small world! I think they film a lot around the Midwest because it’s relatively anonymous and there are a full four seasons and all kinds of scenery?

[@tiffinyharrington9307]

He signed my book “With friendly friendliness.” He’s precious.

[@kylewhitmore304]

I've read all of this man's books three times over and now have a six pack from laughing so much. Thank you Mr. Sedaris so so much for the killer abs.

[@PeaceLoveAndEternalGrooviness]

Have u listened to his read them? I think they funnier that way. Unless you’re deaf of course.

[@kylewhitmore304]

@@PeaceLoveAndEternalGrooviness a few excerps I have, yes. He brings the words to life, def funnier

[@blahblah4129]

LOL

[@blahblah4129]

@@PeaceLoveAndEternalGrooviness buahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@catwoman8861]

David lives near me and he’s so committed to keeping the environment clean - he literally spends hours a day picking rubbish from our verges. As a fellow picker - I’m so grateful he chose to live in this area of England. I salute you, David .

[@rhllnm]

Fellow picker here also. I heard that he even does it at night.

[@mildredhighcock7333]

Do you help? Could you?

[@ktkee7161]

Is he still there? It's embarrassing.

[@jasonnestor4218]

I drove for David once and he was very polite and quiet and listened to my stupid stories the whole 2hrs. He laughed at me and wrote me an amazing letter after. One of the most amazing moments of my life.

[@stephaniejefferson6566]

Neato!!!! That’s a great experience!

[@bobthompson2807]

Jimmy found that statement very funny and so did I. But the audience, not so much. "I'm mentally ill and that keeps me pretty busy." Hilarious.

[@mamashecrazy7423]

Agreed!

[@Fennywaterwinkle]

It's funny because it's true. Mental illness is exhausting and takes up all your time.

[@dionflynn]

Yes. The audience DID laugh on "I kept in touch with him" though.

[@ktkee7161]

I'll have to borrow that one lol.

[@aquablushgirl]

So few people like him now. The world is sterile so having people like David around is a bloody gift.

[@elainemagson213]

You mean," There are so few people who are like him now?"

[@carrotjuse]

Sedaris is our greatest contemporary literary humorist. He an absolutely original treasure. He seems to be a modest man but he's gone through some hair-raising adventures.

[@lisa4498]

I met David Sedaris about 7 years ago after a reading I attended, he was so real. He definitely engaged me, so much I felt I had to go back into the hall when he was open to questions. I asked a few questions. He actually called on me and answered my questions. I will never forget that!

[@biancacastafiore383]

David S. is one of the best storytellers there are, I could listen to him for hours just talking of things he saw and people he met.

[@hairdresser1300]

me too!!!!

[@erickaforman387]

He's right about the mental illness taking up most of ones time.

[@Cabel.9751]

Totally agree. I have seen him live 4 times now and talked with him a couple times. I love reading his books more now because I always read them in his voice.

[@mommabyrdify]

He made me hit him (very gently...I barely touched his cheek because it was the oddest and most hilarious thing anyone had ever asked me to do) and then signed my book "You didn't have to hit me". He is glorious!

[@beckv8526]

I would follow David around just to hear his stories. He's the best storyteller since Mark Twain.

[@KateCarew]

He is truly just as gracious as he appears. I’ve gotten to see him a multitude of times over the past damn near twenty years and I had the pleasure of being VERY early to one of his lectures, so early in fact it was just the staff, David and myself...he was just sitting on a bench in the lobby and I aimlessly wandered waiting for anything and suddenly it was just us. I looked and said “it’s you” He responded with “hellllooo you”patted the bench and there we sat talking about his new home in the UK and ham and eggs and bad seafood choices, as one does. He spoke at eastern Michigan university one time and NO one asked a question at the end when he opens it up to the audience and I thought omg pearls before swine he will do a Q&A for a LONG time if he’s entertained and here we’ve got him and no one has anything so from the front row my hand instinctively shoots up in a panic lest he walk off, so of course he saw me and as I stood to “ask my question” I blanked out and stammered “I know you enjoy housework, what kind of vacuum do you use?” Years of adoring him, years of leaving him be because of long lines and not wanting to crowd him, here I am with THE MAN HIMSELF and all I got is “Hoover or Dyson?” 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@lunasea4309]

what happened then?? complete the story please...

[@ihavesoul4real]

That seems like the perfect question he'd want to be asked. Well done.

[@KateCarew]

JRS One thank you! That actually touches me because I thought it seemed about right too but I’ve had people say I blew it. I’ll tell ya, one time I saw him in my hometown and I was early...we chatted at length and he asked about my house/immediate neighbors, I told him it was a hamlet, realized how ridiculous that sounded and said “it’s called The Hamlet and we eat omelettes in the hamlet”😜 It just fell out of my face and I felt abject horror but he busted out laughing and said “do you put a little hamlet in your omelette? A little cheeselette?” He was DISARMING and if you just forget for a second it’s him you can be yourself and since he’s nothing ever but himself you get a tiny moment of real camaraderie :) He jotted down something after the hamlet exchange, he told me he and Hugh had bought a home, that they looked at one called “Faggots Stack” and passed, he described the land and at this point he hadn’t published or maybe even written (published)about his life in England, he was fleshing that story out. During that lecture he read a line from his journal about his new home and as he said village he paused, looked at me (front row dork) crosses it off and opts for “hamlet” instead 😃and in that very moment I realized how deeply he takes in his exchanges with his fans and people in general. He takes EXTENSIVE notes diligently and I am guessing it’s what makes his writing seem so close, so relatable. He documents it in immediate moment than ruminating and trying to recapture the feelings that have a tendency to the ephemeral? I believe every word he’s ever put to paper has been subject to a possible change, his humility allows him to HEAR other options, it’s genius the way he exhibits a flexibility in writing... He said some lovely and memorable things that are private for him up to this point so I stay mum, but like a friend I walked away with the sense of being tied to my fellow man, he’s got that power with his storytelling but even more as just a person sitting near you. Treat yourself, go see him, take the time to meet him, he is a joy, a treasure and someone who can’t help but be fascinating and fascinated 🙏🏻

[@KateCarew]

Luna sea Miele!!! I’m sorry, I’m just seeing this now!! This was also over a decade ago and his preference might’ve changed!! He laughed, he was chuckling and he answered me, SINCERELY. Pros and cons of canisters and bags and all the variables in this appliance, he had the Miele because he needed one STAT and where he was (France) it was one of the only options, he wanted and upright and Hugh wasn’t in the mood so it was a fast and efficient choice, he claimed he had no regrets but would probably succumb to a Dyson if they had animals. I will say it was a good ice breaker, no one was asking him anything and after I did THAT the folks opened up, he stayed easily an hour answering questions and he asked some too. He ALWAYS does. At the end he stayed to sign and speak with the endless line of fans. I figured I had my moment so I skipped past, but I heard him “she who vacuums lives a long and happy life!” I turned and he waved, I waved back and after that I examined my vacuum with his thoughtful response in my head, I kept my Dyson but he had good reasons.

[@quaver1239]

kate carew : Love what you wrote; also how you wrote it. 🙏

[@invisiblek5783]

If you have the chance to see him live, take it. I laughed so hard my stomach muscles hurt for days after.

[@hb4591]

I love that he appreciates people and all of our idiosyncrasies.

[@londonsars0234]

I am in love with this man! I am reading Calypso and find it hard to explain to people. I sort of just say that this book is sometimes set in a beach known as the sea section, but this man complains in tactical ways that are relatable and absolutely hilarious. I enjoyed the scene where he is speaking to a woman at the front desk in the hotel he was staying at and is mentally preparing to hear the cliche travel questions, which he does and then gives the woman direction and tells her to ask about his godson to which he retorts that the child has cancer at 8 years old (which he doesn’t), she seemingly feels terrible, he reassures her by saying “I’m sure that within a year or two someone else will ask me to be a godfather.” It honestly feels like something that many want to do, but don’t have the balls or the conviction to pull off.

[@friendlier]

I introduced David at his show at the Schnitzer in Portland last fall. I've known him a very long time, pre-fame. He asked me to tell some 'tales out of school' about those early times, and so I came up with a ten-minute bit. But walking through the stage door with him was quite an experience. I've never seen backstage staff light up the way they did, all wanting to shake his hand and get selfies with him. One woman told me that some of them weren't even scheduled to work that night, they came in because they wanted to meet him. He worked so easily with the set-up crew, and had them make sure that I was satisfied with the podium lighting and sound as well. All the while, of course, with hilarious retorts and asides. It's wonderful to see your friends rise to the top, and even more wonderful when they do it without becoming privileged jerks in the process.

[@coma13794]

Such an under-rated comment. We've seen him read 3-4 times now and it's always a delight. You really get the sense that he's just being himself, which is why the stories of him being kind to people off-stage come as no surprise. He signed our CD "to the fun San Carlos couple," but I struggle to remember why. He really hit the nail on the head when he talked about having "2 minute relationships." While that comes off as a joke at the surface, it really does make sense when you see him interact with people. Those are a very real two minutes. It doesn't mean you're life-long friends, but it doesn't mean the two minutes weren't genuine. I'm reading through his diaries (he published them, it's not like I broken into his home...) now and it's a whole different style than his essays/stories. You laugh a lot less, but it's still somehow just as interesting to read. His observations on the world are just....different.

[@thomasshockley4129]

I’ve been on a Sedaris binge the past few days, thank you!!

[@andie1793]

this guy is so uniquely funny

[@debrabritt1581]

David is the best guest on any interview show. I'd love to see him together with Amy!

[@stoverboo]

Truly a fantastic essayist, and a brilliant reader of his own work.

[@khamsavanwiesner2473]

I spent a few hours walking and talking over dinners over two days with David and Hugh some years ago and he really is the nicest, funniest and interested man. He'll ask YOU questions and will write your answers or stories into his little notebook. He gets a kick out of so many things... Like coin operated wine machines.

[@radhikathakur5009]

I love that Jimmy loves David Sedaris

[@rastagirl007]

I usually take my time reading a book, unless it's one of David's and I cannot put them down until they end...and then I am depressed until the next one! What a charming, lovely human!

[@majamihajloska]

I binge-watched David's Masterclass. It was so entertaining and yet so raw and profound. Love him.

[@quaver1239]

Am reading Calypso right now, and having a wonderful time. This is my first book by David Sedaris - and have already ordered three more! Amazing person, and part of an equally outstanding family. He is a true gift to this world.

[@RxLifestyleVitalism]

I absolutely love David Sedaris!! His wit & humor are unparalleled! 🙌 the books are awesome 😎 and his live readings are on another level! A literally gem 💎

[@mamashecrazy7423]

I actually took his Master Class as soon as I was aware of it and it was brilliant

[@thatadamwhitley]

When David Sedaris signed my wife's book, he drew her "naked from behind" 😂The man is a treasure

[@zoeychandler3773]

okay the way he also did this to me omg

[@cheesewheelproducts]

I pride myself on always knowing even if I love a person's work, doesn't mean they are actually a cool person..... this is my first time seeing a David Sedaris interview and I am almost mad by how funny and cool he is.

[@joladerach7056]

I love David Sedaris. Its so weird to know soms voice so well and then see them in person.

[@socialmedia1276]

Very true.

[@perfumedelight66]

Sedaris is the funniest man alive. For real.

[@leawilson6009]

Thank you, D.S!! Delightful Smiles!! Much Love and Many Blessings for Many and Awesome Playful Days, Precious Heart!! ❤❤🌎🌎🕊🕊

[@BeasleyStreet]

All these years of listening, and only seeing a images of David, this is the first watching...the most humble of men.

[@floorbrown]

David is a great, great man

[@socialmedia1276]

David you look so handsome. We got your post card and I hope you enjoyed Australia. Fly safe and come visit PA soon. We would write back but you travel to much 🤣😉 xoxo Tell Hough we miss him.

[@janeeveritt6374]

Love David Sedaris. I have this book, but lent it to friend for her long train journey back to Cornwall. She is a convert. I live in Portsmouth UK and find it startling, alarming and exhausting going round the corner to my local shop, but if Mr Sedaris ever dared venture to a theatre in Portsmouth, I’d be there and I would chase round to stage door afterwards! I don’t care what my Mum or the dog says. His tale of a visit to Tokyo

[@janeeveritt6374]

Sedaris’ tale of Tokyo visit is a hoot

[@eksophia]

I met him at a signing in Iowa City. I asked him to sign two books - one for me and one for my father who's also a big fan. My father and I share a birthday and it was coming up so I thought this would be the perfect gift. I chatted with David for a few minutes and he was as cool and weird and fun and perfect as you would imagine and when I got to the checkout to pay for the one book I picked up there they excitedly asked "oh what did he write?". I realized I hadn't looked yet. It said "Surprise! (my name) is pregnant!" Needless to say my dad was pretty speechless at first till he realized "oh yeah, it's David Sedaris" big relief there for Dad, lol. (I was 19)

[@dianaandray1]

David Sedaris is so funny, his books and this interview made me laugh out loud.

[@stoverboo]

I never thought anything could be funnier than reading one of his essays, until I heard him reading one of his essays.

[@groofay]

For some reason the music David walked on to reminded me of Sparks, and I realized that a collaboration between Sparks and David Sedaris might be amazing.

[@WenbruReviews]

‘Roll the house’ a totally southern way to describe a good old fashioned TP event ‼️

[@heir.of.regulus6924]

If an author drew and signed a tombstone on a book for me , that would be a dream 😂 honestly, too cool

[@anrato3866]

I went to a reading and took all of the books of his that I own with me (basically any his published, in german and in english). he drew and wrote in each single one of them ... branches, flowers, men in hats ... but in the oldest one, the one with with I started reading his works, is over 20 years old and torn and taped and loved to pieces. he grinned and sort of admired it and in the front he just wrote "This Is Old." it's my most precious possession. meeting mr sedaris and getting to talk him was one of the things on my bucket list.

[@MrAdrienmartinez]

The part about the tumor he saved to feed to the turtle was insane.

[@katherinehunter9526]

What a hoot! "Do you know many people in wheelchairs?"

[@sajhabib]

Best storyteller in the world

[@SleepToDie]

I discovered this guy on a freaking youtube ad at 3 in the morning. I studied storytelling, scriptwriting, humour and the psychology behind it all as part of my degree in animation. I just wish I had discovered this guy sooner! He's so interesting!

[@beccalove8791]

I just finished the book he wrote called “ naked”. He volunteered at a mental institution. He loves to get up inside your very soul to reach the truth. I too talk to complete strangers whenever I get the chance because I’ve found that most of us are quite normal. He seems to enjoy the lunatics. Maybe because they are more complex in their convoluted state. I tend to fear these kinds of individuals…

[@lisadeeyoung]

I just love this man so much.

[@annmitchellanniemaeart2115]

Just discovered this guy I love his books sooo funny

[@djcsws_nsns]

I had tickets to see David about fifteen years ago in London, Ontario. I broke up with my girlfriend in the meantime so insisted she take the tickets. Her and a friend went and she bought and had signed for me Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. David wrote "I met your bitches and they were beautiful."

[@simonfive1874]

David should be remembered as global folk hero.

[@slimlouis6441]

Simon Five No, it’s the paperback version of a brilliant book that’s been out for months and months.

[@linengray]

I love, love, love David Sedaris. He is the Mark Twain of our time.

[@lindapenzabene8266]

I have listened to David Sedaris for years on NPR.... I find him interesting and sooo funny! 🦋

[@LunaChestnut]

Huge fan of I Speak Pretty, can't wait to see you in SAtX!!!

[@CrimsonVioletMoon]

A true original. What a gem.

[@anngarcia7133]

Reading “Me Talk Pretty One Day” and it is a page turner! Love the part when his perspective changes: a woman tying her shoelace, a man throwing a business card in the trash, and a car blaring a horn was just that and not something connected. He seemed off Speed as well ;)

[@lincolnmaceachern2410]

I don't know if he does a doodle on the books he autographs, but he did it for me, perhaps because I went to the show by myself. It was a bearded man in a top hat ; Abraham Lincoln, I expect.

[@charliebonnici8955]

Just finished watching 60 Minutes and when your father ( near the end of his life ) said you won, I'm sure he was saying that he loved you.

[@vailryan9425]

"I'm mentally ill. That keeps me pretty busy." So true!

[@marihawley]

My book club went to see David (on his home turf of Raleigh NC). He said he wanted to join our book club.... he's quirky charming!

[@yewbertsfriend]

The king

[@ihulk9451]

I love him. Got to know of him from the conan podcast absolutely hilarious

[@michellelogreco3351]

I would love ❤️ to meet him!

[@kevinbwillson4161]

Love the David

[@loveforeignaccents]

Never heard of him so glad I clicked him on to check him out, funny!

[@kristenkuruugaa7903]

When I went through the line just after When You Are Engulfed in Flames came out, he asked me if I had seen youporn and drew a picture of a turtle that looked like Abraham Lincoln.

[@miakodemelo]

I love this man❤️

[@aftonair]

Delightful

[@nonbiz1520]

I met him with my then boyfriend ( 1998?)who had a good job, but wore torn jeans and converse sneakers to the meet and greet we went to. David wanted to know how we could afford to be there.

[@jamespriddy8275]

I was foreman on a road crew. I had some new employees, young men, who I regularly bantered with. I noticed one tried to engage me more than the others in many various subjects. One day he seemed anxious. He told me I was too quiet and to get up to speed. I said I guess I don’t have much to say. “Listen boss…I’m a stand up comedian. I use most of your conversations in my act. I’m on tonight and I need material”. I like to be funny but I didn’t think it was worthy of selling.

[@annettefournier9655]

Well that woman had no sense of humor. A book with a doodle AND signed by the author? Priceless. Plus I like his perspective. 😉😂

[@anrato3866]

when I went to a reading, I took ALL of his books that I own (many, because I read in german and english) and he signed them all and doodled into all of them.

[@annettefournier9655]

@@anrato3866 To me that is outstanding!

[@gretchenmann633]

Great masterclass. I highly recommend it.

[@petitesmiley4942]

my professor . introduced me to this guy

[@kitt3813]

Listened to him on BBC radio; for ages thought I was listening to an old woman

[@libertyblueskyes2564]

He just exposes the crap of humanity.

[@KateCarew]

He exposes the fragile beauty even more.

[@landsharkshredders3935]

Aww. What a softie.

[@robertcanada5106]

I live for David Sedaris.

[@cass8330]

Jimmy Kimmel is more natural and fluid here, this guest has a way about him. That's so funny how he drew a pic of the gravestone, the bf would've got over it. He's obviously a fan and would know his humour.

[@axnyslie]

The tombstone woman sounds like a self-entitled Karen. I did meet him two years ago and he just wrote "we talked about ice cream" because it was late and he wanted ice cream but didn't know what was still open in my city that would serve ice cream.

[@MarianaRubin13]

Uuutttu truuu yyyy u h h h

[@sarahwestling9438]

When I grow up, I want to be David Sedaris.

[@bd_mayhem]

Start your diary now.

[@cor-z8m]

Brilliant

[@tomitstube]

amy and david come from a big family, makes you wonder what it was like around that household... and it's probably a good idea for a writer, a humorous writer at that, to engage and be interested in people. reality is by far the most interesting part of life.

[@ogivecrush]

Have you read his books? He's written some stuff that gives quite a bit of detail about his family life.

[@tomitstube]

@@ogivecrush never got around to it actually, i've listened to david reading exerts, and a lecture once i think. i'll put him on the my reading list today, but it's a long list right now, i've gotten behind on my reading, most of what i read is politics and history, civil rights, activism, stuff like that.

[@M_SC]

tomitstube you don’t have time to read good things because you’re too busy making stupid comments. The whole point of his books is to talk about his family

[@tomitstube]

@@M_SC as far a "stupid comments" go, i can't compete with the one you just made.

[@lilitulee]

I need to speak to him again, every time had been so reaffirming

[@MrsBlaileen1]

One of the funniest men alive. Kimmel is ok too.

[@Horseluvver]

Oh he has a new book out! Love him.

[@westofley]

What is Carnival of Snackeries? I stumbled upon the phrase...somewhere that I can't seem to remember. The phrase haunts me.

[@mikeyllo]

David Sedaris is awesome! Someone please give me the password to access MasterClass so I can check this out. The way my bank account and taxes are set up, I won't have the funds for this for a while! LOL

[@marylhere]

What a fabulous coat.....

[@harmonyvegan]

Yes please - More authors, fewer actors

[@aftonhalters]

Santa Land Diaries

[@joanfordham1305]

If ANYONE does not love David Sedaris WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM ? He has a Yorkshire soul ,we talk to anyone,anywhere .

[@redheadedhikergirl]

The phrase "national treasure" is overused but seriously applicable to David. Actually "international treasure" is now more accurate.

[@errinrobinson8538]

ur the man

[@arinasinhache]

I've just discovered David Sedaris and I would like to read something written by him. Could anyone suggest me which book I should start with?

[@biancam.7707]

Arina Shórokhova Me Talk Pretty One day!

[@joycetaylor8057]

I'm mentally ill and that keeps me pretty busy.....spit laugh....so so funny

[@chipblock2854]

So now I know why my IPhone doesn't recognise me! Also some days I get up and my dogs look at me and start barking. So maybe they think I am a stranger!

[@MRayner59]

Too bad that tickets to his shows are so insanely expensive.

[@miat789]

Martin Rayner yeah he came to my town and they were in the hundreds.

[@LC-le9ew]

Really?

[@anrato3866]

what a pity, seems to be a regional thing. I went to see him in Vienna in 2019 and front row was 26 euros.

[@surrealbox]

They are only $50 in la

[@dariuspardiwala670]

He looks like my English Teacher.

[@carolnorton2551]

From reading his books and hearing him on radio I expected him to look like a 17 yr old.