When Harry Met Sally Quotes

Context

This famous line is spoken by Sally Albright, played by Meg Ryan, to Harry Burns, played by Billy Crystal, in When Harry Met Sally (directed by Rob Reiner, 1989).

We thought the angel of death looked like this. Or maybe this. 

But he actually looks like this.

At least that's what Sally Albright thinks when she sits next to Harry Burns on an airplane and he gives her one of his relationship (or lack-of-a-relationship) philosophies: never take someone to the airport, because someday, the relationship will be over, and then you won't be taking them to the airport. 

That glass isn't half full—it's completely empty.

This cynical statement prompts Sally to remark, "It's amazing. You look like a normal person, but actually you are the angel of death."

In any romantic comedy, the two leads have to start off hating each other before they can make their ultimate declaration of love. When Harry Met Sally perfected this formula.

Where you've heard it

You probably don’t want to quote Meg Ryan if you meet the actual angel of death—we’re not sure if she or he has a sense of humor—but it’s the perfect quote to shut down any Debbie Downers in your life.

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.

Too funny to be pretentious.