30 'Reality Bites' Quotes from the Cult Film about the Generation X

While much attention is given to millennials, Boomers, and now Generation Z, Generation X has only recently entered the conversation, and they have some pretty exciting things to share. Read these 30 "Reality Bites" quotes to get a taste of their lives and culture growing up as young adults.

Cult classic "Reality Bites" was Ben Stiller's phenomenal directorial debut. It follows a bunch of twenty-something-year-olds in the 1990s who live in New York, facing everyday issues such as career, relationships, and meaning.

The casts main characters are the recently jobless, Lelaina Pierce, Troy Dyer, and Michael Grates, who play her two love interests, her closest friend slash shop assistant, Sammy Gray, who is struggling with expressing his sexuality, and the sarcastic Vickie Miner.

Read 30 no1 "Reality Bites" quotes below from these characters to glimpse Gen-X's youth and the struggles and triumphs they faced as young adults.

Lelaina Pierce’s quote: "How can we repair all the damage we inherited?" | Source: AmoDays

Lelaina Pierce Quotes from ‘Reality Bites'

"I don't even have a dentist." — Lelaina Pierce

"I have to work around here, and unfortunately, Troy, you are a master at the art of time suckage." — Lelaina Pierce

“Lelaina Pierce: I was really going to be somebody by the time I was 23.

Troy Dyer: Honey, all you have to be by the time you're 23 is yourself.

Lelaina Pierce: I don't know who that is anymore.” — "Reality Bites"

"I'm not going to work at the Gap." — Lelaina Pierce

"He's so cheesy, I can't watch him without crackers." — Lelaina Pierce

Lelaina Pierce’s quote: “Hey, I'm a non-practicing virgin." | Source: AmoDays

“Lelaina Pierce: Are you religious?

Michael Grates: Um, uh, I guess, uh, I guess I'm, uh, a non-practicing Jew.

Lelaina Pierce: Hey, I'm a non-practicing virgin.” — "Reality Bites"

“That’s the American dream of the 90s...That could take years.” — Lelaina Pierce

“Lelaina Pierce: I'd like to somehow make a difference in people's lives.

Troy Dyer: And I... I would like to buy them all a Coke.

Lelaina Pierce: And you wonder why we never got involved?” — "Reality Bites"

"How can we repair all the damage we inherited?" — Lelaina Pierce

Lelaina Pierce’s quote: “That’s the American dream of the 90s...That could take years.” | Source: AmoDays

Exquisite Quotes by Troy Dyer

“At the beep, please leave your name, number, and a brief justification for the ontological necessity of modern man's existential dilemma, and we'll get back to you” — Troy Dyer

"Lelaina Pierce: Can you define 'irony?'"

Troy Dyer: It's when the actual meaning is the complete opposite from the literal meaning." — "Reality Bites"

"Are employee snacks subsidized?" — Troy Dyer

“This is all we need... a cup of coffee, and a little bit of conversation... You and me and five bucks.” — Troy Dyer

"Michael Grates: Have I stepped over some line in the sands of coolness with you? Because excuse me if somebody doesn't know the secret handshake with you.

Troy Dyer: There's no secret handshake. There's an IQ prerequisite, but there's no secret handshake." — "Reality Bites"

Troy Dyer’s quote: “This is all we need...a cup of coffee, and a little bit of conversation... You and me and five bucks.” | Source: AmoDays

"I was told there'd be no math on this exam." — Troy Dyer

"Lelaina Pierce: I just don't understand why things just can't go back to normal at the end of the half-hour like on the 'Brady Bunch' or something.

Troy Dyer: Well, 'cause Mr. Brady died of AIDS. Things don't turn out like that." — "Reality Bites"

"I am not under any orders to make the world a better place." — Troy Dyer

'Reality Bites' Quotes from Vickie Miner and Other Interesting Characters

“He's weird, he's strange, he's sloppy, he's a total nightmare for women...” — Vickie Miner

Sammy Gray’s quote: “My goal is...I'd like a career or something.” | Source: AmoDays

“Vickie Miner: Do you ever wish you were a lesbian? Don't you think it would be so much easier?

Lelaina Pierce: Sometimes, but I don't know. I could never go through with it. I'd start laughing or something.

Vickie Miner: That is such a shame because I have had it with men.” — "Reality Bites"

"Evian is naive spelled backwards." — Vickie Miner

"My parents have been married for 26 years. They're like brother and sister at this point. She goes to the bathroom with the door open. That would be 'A.' And 'B' that's disgusting." — Vickie Miner

"Sometimes I get that not-so-fresh feeling." — Vickie Miner

“Lelaina Pierce: Quick, Vicky, what's your social security?

Vickie Miner: Uhm... 851-25-9357.

Troy Dyer: Very impressive.

Vickie Miner: That's the only thing I really learned in college.” — "Reality Bites"

Vickie Miner’s quote: “Do you ever wish you were a lesbian? Don't you think it would be so much easier?” | Source: AmoDays

"You're in 'The Bell Jar.'" — Vickie Miner

"I wanna be let back in the house." — Sammy Gray

“Lelaina Pierce: Hey, Sammy, what's your goal?

Sammy Gray: My goal is...I'd like a career or something.” — "Reality Bites"

“Charlane McGregor: Why don't you get a job at the Burgerrama? They'll hire you! My Lord, I saw on the TV they had this little [expletive] boy working the register.

Lelaina Pierce: Because I'm not [expletive], Mom. I was the valedictorian of my University!

Wes McGregor: Well, you don't have to put that on your application.” — "Reality Bites"

Troy Dyer’s quote: "I am not under any orders to make the world a better place." | Source: AmoDays

From Lelaina Pierce feeling lost, Troy Dyer's wide-eyed philosophizing, and the types of conversations over careers and relationships these individuals are having, we not only get a good look into the Gen-X culture but also see ourselves through it. There is no doubt that some things never change.

This movie also has a star-studded cast, including Winona Ryer, Ethan Hawke, and Ben Stiller. On top of this, there are appearances from celebrities such as Renée Zellweger and David Spade.

While Ryder dropped off the cinema scene for a while, she made a major comeback in the series "Stranger Things." If you miss this show, read 38 'Stranger Things' Quotes From Beloved Characters Beyond the Grave.