"He looked at me as if I were a side dish he hadn't ordered"

In this quote, Ring Lardner is describing a circumstance in which someone is looking at another with disdain. The speaker is implying that the person taking a look at them is viewing them as something unimportant and unwanted. This might be interpreted as an indication of disrespect and even contempt. It might likewise be translated as a sign of indifference, as if the individual taking a look at them is not thinking about them or what they have to state. The speaker is most likely sensation slighted and unappreciated, as if they are not being taken seriously. This quote might be interpreted as a commentary on how individuals can be treated unfairly or overlooked in certain situations. It could also be interpreted as a suggestion to constantly deal with others with regard and appreciation, despite their status or position.