In "Holidays on Ice," David Sedaris uses a humorous analogy to illustrate the difficulty of conveying complex ideas to someone who is completely disinterested or unable to comprehend them. He compares the task of explaining moral principles to Khe Sahn to the absurdity of discussing tax forms with a house cat, highlighting the futility of the effort.

This comparison emphasizes how some subjects can seem irrelevant or incomprehensible to certain audiences, making communication challenging. Sedaris' wit shines through in his writing, effectively capturing the frustration of trying to engage an audience that is simply not receptive.