Dirty Dancing Society and Class Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Dirty Dancing.

Quote #1

KELLERMAN: There are two kinds of help here. You guys are all college guys, and I went to Harvard and Yale to hire you. And why did I do that? Why? I shouldn't have to remind you, this is a family place. That means you keep your fingers out of the water, your hair out of the soup, and show the goddamn daughters a good time. All the daughters. Even the dogs. Schlep them out to the terrace, show them the stars. Romance them any way you want.

Kellerman divides his staff into two camps: the haves and the have-nots. The "haves" are the rich kids who have his permission to do whatever they want with the girls at the resort. The "have nots" are the poorer kids who are dancers and will be out of a job if they so much as touch any of the guests at a time when they're not doing the tango.

Quote #2

KELLERMAN: Well, if it isn't the entertainment staff. Listen, wiseass, you've got your own rules. Dance with the daughters. Teach them the mambo, the cha-cha, anything they pay for. That's it. That's where it ends. No funny business, no conversations, and keep your hands off!

"You've got your own rules," says it all. Kellerman imposes extra restrictions on the dancers simply because he can. He looks down on them all because they're from a lower economic class. Or maybe he's just jealous of their salsa step. He seems to assume that they've got no self-control and will be all over the female guests any chance they get.

Quote #3

KELLERMAN: This is your waiter, Robbie Gould. Yale medical school.

Where else other than Kellerman's does your waiter come with a resume? "Hello, here are today's specials and why I think I'd make a good husband." Baby, who's interested in having her own life and career, is only interested in the salad.