George Costanza quit his job at [[Vandelay Industries]] (which was a fabricated company) in the [[Seinfeld]] episode "The Revenge" because he was extremely upset about not being allowed to use his boss's private restroom, forcing him to use a public one. This perceived slight, combined with a general dissatisfaction, led him to rashly quit his position, only to immediately regret it and attempt to get his job back.
The Quitting Incident
George's decision to quit was driven by a classic George Costanza combination of pride, indignation, and a desire for special treatment.
- The Restroom Offense: His primary grievance stemmed from being denied access to his boss's private office restroom, a privilege he felt entitled to. This seemingly minor issue escalated in George's mind to a major personal affront.
- Impulsive Decision: In a fit of anger and frustration, George marched into his boss's office and dramatically declared his resignation.
- Immediate Regret: Almost immediately after quitting, George realized the gravity of his actions and the financial consequences. His subsequent efforts throughout the episode were dedicated to figuring out a way to rescind his resignation.
Behind the Story: Inspiration from Real Life
The specific motivation for George quitting, particularly the restroom issue, was directly inspired by real-life events involving the show's creators and writers.
- Restroom Inspiration: The storyline of George quitting due to restroom access was inspired by Seinfeld writer Larry Charles, who reportedly preferred to use the private restroom located in Larry David's office rather than the public one available to other staff members. This real-world preference translated into George's on-screen obsession with private bathroom privileges.
- Newman Subplot Connection: Interestingly, the same episode also features a subplot involving Newman, who threatens to jump from a building. This storyline was inspired by a neighbor of Larry David's who once actually jumped from the second floor of their apartment building. Both plot points highlight how everyday observations and anecdotes from the writers' lives were often woven into the fabric of Seinfeld's comedic narratives.
George's Post-Quitting Antics
After quitting, George concocted various schemes to get his job back, showcasing his characteristic blend of desperation and poor judgment.
- The "Unquitting" Plan: His initial plan involved pretending he never actually quit, hoping his boss wouldn't remember or wouldn't challenge his claim.
- The Poisoning Scheme: When that failed, George, with Jerry's reluctant help, plotted to poison his boss to remove him from the picture, thereby creating an opportunity to re-apply for his old job under a new manager. This highlights the extreme lengths George would go to in order to reverse a mistake.
| Key Event | George's Motivation | Outcome | Real-Life Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quitting Job | Anger over private restroom access being denied | Immediately regrets the decision | Larry Charles's restroom preference |
| Attempting to return | Financial desperation and regret | Fails to get his job back through conventional means | N/A |
| Poisoning Plot | Desperation to reclaim his position | Foiled by a stray cat | N/A |
Ultimately, George's impulsive decision to quit due to a trivial slight and his subsequent frantic attempts to undo it served as a classic example of his character's neurotic and self-sabotaging tendencies that made him a memorable figure on the show.
