It’s not what Ted is saying that Elly’s got an issue with, wndrwrthg, it’s how he’s saying it.
Ted is basically saying that a woman’s whole existence should be devoted to pampering her man. Moreover, Ted isn’t even really complimenting Elly directly – he’s addressing his remarks to John, as if Elly were just the hired help (or, even worse, part of John’s property.)
I’d be just a little put out, too, if I were being indirectly condescended to like that.
Amen legaleagle48 and to wndrwrthg I don’t think Ted would recognize a heartfelt compliment if it jumped up and bit him in the rear end. I don’t think he has a heart. Just a huge ego.
If Ted wanted to give a heartfelt comment, he would have told it directly to Elly, rather than tell John like he’s her keeper and she’s not in the room.
Too true, legaleagle. When my guy’s friends like what I cook, they tell ME how awesome it was. That’s a compliment. They do sometimes tell him how lucky he is to have me, but it’s usually in the context of “don’t screw it up,” so I don’t mind :-)
why the outrage? Ted has been a lot worse than this. Most men would agree with Ted, they are just smart enough to put it to words the wife would appreciate. Most wives enjoy the opportunity to pamper her husband, so long as she is not taken for granted.
NOTE: I never said women would want to pamper men like TED!
Back in the ’80s (probably around the time this strip was first drawn!), Dave Barry wrote about a couple guys hosting a Tupperware party. There was one woman (a guest, not a host) at the party, and the Tupperware rep consistently addressed all questions and comments to her, even though she just said, “I don’t know–Dave, what do you want to do?” Seems the Tupperware lady just couldn’t bring herself to conduct a Tupperware-related conversation with a male–most likely because she had no experience.
Which brings us back to Ted–I suspect this guy has never learned how to have a plain old ordinary conversation with a woman (that is, just exchange some information without the sub-text of trying to get into her pants). So, when he’s honestly pleased and wants to express a compliment, he doesn’t know how to do it. But he does know how to have an ordinary conversation with another man, so (like the Tupperware lady addressing all her questions to the woman), he goes with what he knows.
Ted’s self satisfied grin says otherwise. He’s full of himself and full of (as my old incompetent childhood dentists liked to say) baloney. (euphemism for that which will not pass the censor.)
How long will it take John to give up on this idiot?
SHE is going to have to see this comic after SHE finishes ironing my shirts. I let her serve leftovers every couple of weeks. Oh, SHE’s a Luddite and can’t operate this computer. What a shame, She won’t see this. G’nite Ladies.
The sad thing is that imported wives are meant to fill this void of male need and they’ve been spoiled by media exposure, too. Where do we go to get the “good’ wife now? Stepford does seem the logical next step when you need to have brains properly washed.
wndrwrthg said: Pity that ellie has such a rotten disposition that she cannot even accept a heartfelt compliment when it is given.
I’d have a “rotten disposition” about his “compliment” if it was said so condescendingly about me too!!!!! If that were me, Ted would be lucky to leave my house using his own two legs instead of being carried out on an ambulance gurney!!!!!
wndrwrthg over 14 years ago
Pity that ellie has such a rotten disposition that she cannot even accept a heartfelt compliment when it is given.
legaleagle48 over 14 years ago
It’s not what Ted is saying that Elly’s got an issue with, wndrwrthg, it’s how he’s saying it.
Ted is basically saying that a woman’s whole existence should be devoted to pampering her man. Moreover, Ted isn’t even really complimenting Elly directly – he’s addressing his remarks to John, as if Elly were just the hired help (or, even worse, part of John’s property.)
I’d be just a little put out, too, if I were being indirectly condescended to like that.
yyyguy over 14 years ago
give it to him Elly! give him the “pot luck” right upside the head! you did say it was “eat at your own risk.”
ejcapulet over 14 years ago
No wonder Ted’s single! He’s bound to stay that way!
Allison Nunn Premium Member over 14 years ago
Ted is such a momma’s boy he has no idea how rude and obnoxious he really is. His doting momma sees no wrong….. YUCK!
pattybf over 14 years ago
Amen legaleagle48 and to wndrwrthg I don’t think Ted would recognize a heartfelt compliment if it jumped up and bit him in the rear end. I don’t think he has a heart. Just a huge ego.
GuntotingLiberal over 14 years ago
If Ted wanted to give a heartfelt comment, he would have told it directly to Elly, rather than tell John like he’s her keeper and she’s not in the room.
Plods with ...™ over 14 years ago
He’s obviously mentally challenged.
gobblingup Premium Member over 14 years ago
He needs some Pampers rather than some pampering. What a brat!
jaeldid66 over 14 years ago
I dated a guy like this. Briefly.
strodgers over 14 years ago
Looks as if John wants to escape quietly.
notinksanymore over 14 years ago
Too true, legaleagle. When my guy’s friends like what I cook, they tell ME how awesome it was. That’s a compliment. They do sometimes tell him how lucky he is to have me, but it’s usually in the context of “don’t screw it up,” so I don’t mind :-)
RI Red Hen over 14 years ago
Tune in tomorrow to see if Ted get’s his…
gaebie over 14 years ago
why the outrage? Ted has been a lot worse than this. Most men would agree with Ted, they are just smart enough to put it to words the wife would appreciate. Most wives enjoy the opportunity to pamper her husband, so long as she is not taken for granted.
NOTE: I never said women would want to pamper men like TED!
ecrae over 14 years ago
Ted thinks he’s witty,but is unaware that his ingeniously clever coments hurt. Amazingly, he never will understand.
puddleglum1066 over 14 years ago
Regarding Ted’s indirect complimenting…
Back in the ’80s (probably around the time this strip was first drawn!), Dave Barry wrote about a couple guys hosting a Tupperware party. There was one woman (a guest, not a host) at the party, and the Tupperware rep consistently addressed all questions and comments to her, even though she just said, “I don’t know–Dave, what do you want to do?” Seems the Tupperware lady just couldn’t bring herself to conduct a Tupperware-related conversation with a male–most likely because she had no experience.
Which brings us back to Ted–I suspect this guy has never learned how to have a plain old ordinary conversation with a woman (that is, just exchange some information without the sub-text of trying to get into her pants). So, when he’s honestly pleased and wants to express a compliment, he doesn’t know how to do it. But he does know how to have an ordinary conversation with another man, so (like the Tupperware lady addressing all her questions to the woman), he goes with what he knows.
poohbear8192 over 14 years ago
puddleglum:
Ted’s self satisfied grin says otherwise. He’s full of himself and full of (as my old incompetent childhood dentists liked to say) baloney. (euphemism for that which will not pass the censor.)
How long will it take John to give up on this idiot?
lewisbower over 14 years ago
SHE is going to have to see this comic after SHE finishes ironing my shirts. I let her serve leftovers every couple of weeks. Oh, SHE’s a Luddite and can’t operate this computer. What a shame, She won’t see this. G’nite Ladies.
freeholder1 over 14 years ago
The sad thing is that imported wives are meant to fill this void of male need and they’ve been spoiled by media exposure, too. Where do we go to get the “good’ wife now? Stepford does seem the logical next step when you need to have brains properly washed.
alviebird over 14 years ago
Wildmustang1262 over 14 years ago
thebird55, U r smart to put emotion face on your comment cleverly! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa….. I love the way it changed. Love it! X-D
Gretchen's Mom over 14 years ago
wndrwrthg said: Pity that ellie has such a rotten disposition that she cannot even accept a heartfelt compliment when it is given.
I’d have a “rotten disposition” about his “compliment” if it was said so condescendingly about me too!!!!! If that were me, Ted would be lucky to leave my house using his own two legs instead of being carried out on an ambulance gurney!!!!!
Gretchen's Mom over 14 years ago
lightenup said: He needs some Pampers rather than some pampering. What a brat!
Good one!!!!! ;o)
Gretchen's Mom over 14 years ago
Duke: I left you a message on Sunday’s strip.
doublepaw over 14 years ago
Elly always has something to b*h about, don’t remember this strip being so whiney the first time around.
lindz.coop Premium Member over 14 years ago
Today, I would LIKE to see the uvula! Ted would never eat at my house again.