For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 17, 2010

that’s sweet of him to wait up for her, and real sweet that he won’t let her know that.

I was not sure whether Elly acted drunk or just being a normal to get home in late time while John slept in the bed and waited for Elly.

Knowing how women can talk for hours, Elly might not have even had much (or any) to drink in order to stay out late.

Aw. I’ve done this before.

Play “dead” John, Play “dead.” Or Not! Maybe she should know how you felt.

Everyone: From the looks of posting times and comments elsewhere, most of the comics must have been delayed.

Since there is not much activity in the comments today, perhaps everyone will forgive me if I regress and comment on Saturday’s strip. John hit a raw nerve with me when he called Ellie “the wife”. If he has only one wife, perhaps it is appropriate to call her “the” wife, but it always seemed so impersonal to me and I did not like to be called that. I never referred to my spouse as “the husband.” I hear many men refer to their wives by that term, and I cringe every time I hear it. What’s wrong with “my” wife?

plus4: at “fbofw.com” see the link to the immediate right.

Here we see that if women can be fools and expect their spouses to be able to read their minds, men can be the same… I hate it in women, and I hate it in men…

ah, sweet reality! sweet honesty! I wish more people valued them!

and I agree, “the wife” and “the husband” (the second I have actually never seen used) are depersonalizing. They are used when you only want to think about the role the person plays, not about the person as an individual. You reduce them to a few stereotypes, and don’t think beyond that at all.

If you just read this comic on its own, you might think that he was just worried about her until she got home. But since there were others leading up to this, it just seems like passive-aggressive behavior to me. If you have an issue, talk about it, John!

RRUMF is the sound made by a car motor being turned off.

That’s the last time she will ever get out on her own.

I sincerely hope she’s wearing a short-sleeved coat … and not a bathrobe!!! Otherwise, John’s got a whole different reason to be angry at her for coming in so late other than her lack of a courtesy call informing him she’s going out with the gang after her last class!!!!!

Don’t say a word John, you WILL REGRET IT!

GM, if that isn’t a bathrobe, I have to ask, why is she wearing her dirty coat that has been outside and who knows where, into her bedroom? YUK!

The front door doesn’t open into the bedroom in any house I’ve ever seen.

On another note, who puts on a bathrobe to go to bed a minute later? If she just put on the flannel granny thing, we would not have so many questions. : )

RinaFarina, I have never seen or heard “the husband” used, either, but I was trying to make a point (don’t know what it was!) I guess I was saying that I would have never demeaned my husband by referring to him as merely “the husband.” I like your explanation of what the use of “the wife” or “the husband” means.

Perhaps Elly wonders why he did not wait up for her. She might feel a bit slighted.

GUESS THAT CAR HAS A CARBURETOR, MAN I MISS THOSE CARS! DONT GET THOSE NOISES FROM A PRIUS!

Also: IT”S FUNNY!!!!!!!

I think that’s a wrap dress, not a coat or bathrobe. I agree with Rmom. I go to pubs with friends fairly often and rarely have anything stronger to drink than tea.

John, to self: “You made me worry and feel abandoned, so now that you’re here I’m gonna go all passive-aggressive on you. See how you like that.” What a guy.

She may be wondering…Why didn’t he wait up for me. That would make perfect since.

^for this strip.