In his book "Me Talk Pretty One Day," David Sedaris humorously critiques how businesses often exploit customers by prioritizing profit over quality. He imagines a scenario where charging more for napkins would lead to a thinner product, forcing customers to use more to compensate for a design flaw in cups. This satirical observation highlights the absurdity of how companies might cut corners at the expense of customer experience.

Through this anecdote, Sedaris showcases the ridiculousness of modern consumerism, where the focus is sometimes on increasing costs while decreasing quality. The quote serves as a clever commentary on the interplay between design, pricing, and consumer needs, prompting readers to reflect on the implications of these choices in everyday life.