Retta Quotes

Powerful Retta for Daily Growth

About Retta

Retta (Patricia Janet Tashjian), born on October 11, 1970, in Cary, North Carolina, is an American actress, comedian, and writer best known for her role as Donna Meade in the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation." Retta's early life was marked by a series of significant events that shaped her career. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Dramatic Art, she worked for several years as an account executive at an advertising firm. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for comedy and began performing stand-up at local clubs. In 2007, Retta's life took a dramatic turn when she was cast as the sardonic, no-nonsense assistant to Ron Swanson in "Parks and Recreation." The role brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. During her tenure on the show, she also co-wrote several episodes, further cementing her status as a multi-talented artist. Retta's work off-screen is equally noteworthy. She has written for television shows like "Good Girls" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and in 2019, she published her memoir, "So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know." The book offers a humorous and insightful look into Retta's life, discussing topics ranging from her childhood to her rise to fame. Today, Retta continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, using her platform to advocate for social justice and women's rights. Her unique blend of humor and authenticity has endeared her to audiences worldwide, making her an enduring figure in modern comedy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm like a squirrel vomiting nuts."

The quote by Retta, "I'm like a squirrel vomiting nuts," implies that she is scattering ideas or information in an uncontrolled manner or with great enthusiasm, much like a squirrel scattering nuts without any specific plan. It suggests the idea of being overly productive or expressive in a chaotic or disorganized way.


"If I'm not on the floor laughing, you're not being funny enough."

This quote by Retta emphasizes her high expectation for humor in a situation - she wants to experience genuine laughter when engaging with something that is supposed to be humorous. In essence, it suggests that if the humor is not strong or effective enough, it will fail to evoke the desired response of laughter from her.


"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

This quote by Maya Angelou emphasizes that the impact we have on others through our actions and words is long-lasting and profound. While specific events or conversations may fade from memory over time, the feelings evoked in others by our interactions with them remain memorable. A positive emotional connection can foster trust, loyalty, and goodwill, while a negative one can leave lasting scars. Therefore, striving to make people feel valued, respected, and cared for should be a priority in our relationships and interactions.


(Attributed to Retta, often quoted by her)

The quote, though not officially verified as Retta's, suggests embracing one's individuality and living life boldly and unapologetically. It encourages people to be true to themselves, express their unique perspectives, and not shy away from making a statement, even when facing adversity or criticism.


"I don't want to be a role model, I just want to be an example."

Retta, in this quote, expresses a desire for individual authenticity rather than the pressure and expectations associated with being a "role model." She wants to live her life freely and genuinely, setting examples of her values, experiences, and choices for others to emulate if they choose to do so. This perspective encourages personal growth, self-expression, and allows individuals to relate to one another on a more human level, rather than idolizing perfect, unattainable role models.


"I'm very opinionated and very judgmental, but I've learned that you can't judge a book by its cover."

Retta's quote suggests that despite being opinionated and judgmental in her personal interactions, she acknowledges the importance of not making assumptions about people based solely on appearances or first impressions. In other words, it is important to give everyone a chance and get to know them before forming an opinion or making a judgement. This message emphasizes empathy, open-mindedness, and fairness in our interactions with others.


My obsession is TV and movies, so I order an obscene amount of DVDs. And I have an obsession with handbags. So once a year, I treat myself to a luxury handbag.

- Retta

Handbags, TV, Amount, Obscene

I've actually taken meetings about hosting a late-night talk show. I don't know that what we know as a late-night talk show is what I want. But I've been talked into a talk show, but it would be different.

- Retta

Hosting, Late-Night, Been, Talk Show

It is with a heavy heart that I learn of Joe Manganiello, a.k.a. my wolfy Twitter boo, is seeing one Ms. Sofia Vergara.

- Retta

Learn, Joe, Boo, Ms

Growing up in Jersey makes you a little bit ballsier, a little more outspoken.

- Retta

Growing Up, Growing, Jersey, Outspoken

Wine is crying juice. Rum is worse.

- Retta

Juice, Worse, Crying, Rum

I do a bit called, 'You go, girl!' where I say, 'Don't tell me 'You go, girl!' I get it. I don't need you encourage me.' And nine times out of 10 after I finish the bit, some guy in the back will yell 'You go, girl!' I get a lot of that or 'I hear ya!' I don't generally - knock on fake wood - get mean heckling.

- Retta

Some, Knock, Nine, Fake

I started once a week in North Carolina at a pub called Charlie Goodnight and met a lot of comics there. Then I moved to L.A., and if you're not known, it's hard to get stage time. So you start out doing what they call 'bringers' - you have to bring five people if you wanna get on stage. It was a lot of hustle, a learning curve.

- Retta

Doing, Week, Curve, Pub

Handbags, dude. It's all about the handbags. I have quite a few purses that I spend a good deal of money on - that's my jam.

- Retta

Handbags, Deal, Good Deal, Dude

When I first started tweeting, I was just doing it because I was watching 'Breaking Bad' in my trailer and I was so scared by the assassinating cousins. And when people started responding to me, I realized it was like I wasn't watching it alone.

- Retta

Doing, Watching, Bad, Trailer

When I started, it was all meter maids or the sassy nurse, or the sassy receptionist in the hospital. And I felt like: Are those the only jobs that large, black women have?

- Retta

Like, Large, Meter, Maids

I was doing chemistry in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. It was the first time I'd lived alone, and I had an epiphany while I was spending a lot of time watching TV and decided I wanted try acting.

- Retta

Doing, TV, North, Triangle

I have this game with my friends: When we go out, if 'Treat yo' self' is tagged within the last six minutes on Twitter, they buy lunch. If not, I buy. They always buy.

- Retta

Game, Treat, Always, Tagged

'Glee' is very easy to clown because I feel like it's just crumbling. 'Smash!' 'Smash' is the ultimate. I love it because I'm all about theater. I did plays in high school and college, and it totally brings me back to that feeling: how excited you get on opening night, how it sucks when you're not learning the dance moves.

- Retta

Love, College, Very, Glee

The only time I don't get nervous is if I'm doing a home club in L.A. and I know all of my friends there because then I play to my friends. When I first started doing comedy, I hated it when my friends came; it made me more nervous. Now I just try to make them laugh.

- Retta

Play, Doing, Get, Only Time

When I was younger, I was an avid science girl. I was all about, 'I'm going to be a doctor.' Even when I graduated, I was like, 'I'm going to be a doctor.' Even though I did acting and I was in plays and drama clubs in high school and college, I still didn't think I was going to take it on as a career.

- Retta

College, Career, About, Avid

If your social media addiction comes between your relationship, you might want to quit.

- Retta

Addiction, Social, Might, Social Media

If you follow me on social media, you may know that I am an L.A. Kings fan. I'm not kuh-ray-zee, but I am definitely enthusiastic. I love me some Kaaannnngggsss.

- Retta

Love, Some, May, Social Media

When it comes to social media tea, I recommend that you take it offline. Keep your comments at Happy Hour.

- Retta

Happy, Social, Comments, Social Media

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' - I had a lot of friends who told me to watch it. And I was like, 'I'm not buying seven seasons of a frickin' show.' It got to the point where, 'Seriously, you have to watch it.' Buffy is not my favorite, but it's amusing.

- Retta

Seven, Show, Had, Amusing

For Christmas I do gift bags for my friends and the cast, and I put 'treat yo self' key chains in there. And people send me pictures of 'treat yo self' all the time.

- Retta

Gift, Treat, Bags, Send

If someone annoys you on Twitter, check their feed first: you need to know if they're crazy.

- Retta

Need, Check, Feed, Annoys

If someone annoys you on Twitter, and they only have three friends, retweet it, then block them.

- Retta

Someone, Only, Twitter, Annoys

I was always silly in high school. I used to always get in trouble because I was laughing. I've always thought I was funny but never thought I could use it to make money. In 1996, I decided I was going to use my humor to get on TV to make money.

- Retta

Thought, Use, TV, Laughing

I started when Chris Rock did 'Bigger & Blacker.' I used to watch that before I went onstage as inspiration to get hype, but I noticed I started taking on his cadence and talking like him. I was also doing the New York-style comedy thing, which was angry and annoyed. I was creating a persona instead of trying to embrace my own.

- Retta

Doing, Own, Before, Hype

All the people I looked up to - Roseanne, Tim Allen, and Jerry Seinfeld - were stand-up comedians who used humor to get TV shows. I'm on TV now, and I'm working towards getting my own show.

- Retta

Own, TV, Allen, Jerry

I remember doing stand-up at an open mic a long time ago, and the MC was like, 'Who's next?' I said, 'Marietta Sirleaf,' and he was like, 'What?' And I was like, 'Ugh, okay, just Retta.' It stuck with me ever since.

- Retta

Doing, I Remember, Next, Stuck

When it comes to this business and becoming a comedy superstar, I've never really thought about things holding me back. I think about what to do to go the next place. Comedy now isn't the only thing for me.

- Retta

Next, I Think, Becoming, Superstar

I only watched 'The Vampire Diaries' because my friends who loves vampires was like, 'Just watch it.' I was like, 'No, I don't want to watch 'Gossip Girls' with teeth.'

- Retta

Like, Vampires, Loves, Vampire

I like 'Vampire Diaries' because it has great stories.

- Retta

Like, Stories, Great Stories, Vampire

I didn't have an agent before 'Parks,' and once you're on a show, they're not going to make money off of you. So if you've already booked something without an agent, unless they really want to hustle during the downtime, there's seven months when they're not going to make money off of you.

- Retta

Before, Agent, Booked, Hustle

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