Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for May 21, 2016

And we have the first appearance of Bern’s midriff. Is it just me, or is the first panel the Tiffany approach?

Conundrum for the vociferous complainers. Their traditional content indicates that they are among the people who will most closely identify with Bernie in Saturday’s strip.

Puzz, left a reply for you late yesterday on why i was purposely vague.

Bern looks like I felt as a young man.

The non-approach approach

Considering that Piro has heretofore exhibited absolutely no attraction to Bernice (other than as a provider of a couch), I would say that approach 3 is by far the most appropriate.

Bern, you really don’t want Piro.

She is suffused in longing. she is horny to be blunt, horniness that has been repressed and suppressed for most Bernice’s life until Piro comes along.

Too bad there isn’t a fourth panel, showing Piro just walking past all three ‘approaches’ with his head in a black cloud…

That’s the Tiffany approach, not the Luann approach!!

Nope, that’s not Tiffany, it’s pure hooker……..and I rather like it. She doesn’t look like a lip-less 10 year old.

“Hey You”???

Purply red is the wrong lipstick color for Bernice. She’d look better in scarlet.

So much for the real world – Greg needs to light a fire somewhere hopefully soon.

> Namrepus: I concur. Evans tends to depict his characters as stand alone types and he seems to have confused the Tiffany icon with the Luann in this case.

So if Panel One was the Tiffany Approach, she’d be a shameless ditz who, in the words of Crystal, was asking to be harassed. But if it’s the Miss Inner Beauty Luann who does that, then it must be fine.

What I don’t think Bern has noticed is that Piro has shown at least some passing interest in her. More that we have seen in his interest toward others. If Bern is going to score this guy, she needs to be herself.

Bernice seems to have a low opinion of Luann’s dating style.

“The Luann Approach” on the first panel? Are you sure this isn’t The Tiffany Approach?

Uh, yeah, I was gonna say the same thing.

She needs to channel a little bit of Paris (tiff) to woah Piro.hate her as she does, Bern must admit that Paris (Tiff) got that part of the feminine wiles very well covered.

Since panel 1 is Luann’s approach she should have been saying ‘Hey boy!’

Maybe she could just watch “Silent Clowns” and discuss it with him? Too radical an approach?

Bright lipstick doesn’t appeal to me either.

“Bernice wants something, or someone in this case, she cannot have. I don’t think Piro is interested in that kind of way.”.Maybe. maybe not. That is the suspense which Evans has been keeping us—and Bernice—in. Slow build-up. Everybody stay tuned.

Is Greg Evans one of the best cartoonists out there, or what?

The Tiffanyesque first panel might reflect how Bernice sees Luann, rather than an accurate depiction. Luann is more outgoing and takes more risks. So Bernice is pairing her own desires with Luann’s openness to arrive at this hybrid image. Same with Dez – despite the New Agey mumbo-jumbo, this really doesn’t fit what we know of Dez, either.

With what we know of Piro, Bernice may have to patiently court him. Piro-time may be slow even in the Luanniverse.

I tried “blending energies” with my wife, and we spent two hours cleaning the garage.

I think by “approach” they might mean suggestions if the three discussed it.The most effective thing is just to be able to offer something the person enjoys, so Bernice should get some silent movies, and mention them to Piro, asking if he woukd like to see them with her.

JPuzzleWhiz said, 19 minutes ago@Kirk SinclairIs Greg Evans one of the best cartoonists out there, or what?

I wonder how many trolls will choose the latter Trolls have a difficulty today, Puzz.Sure, there are lots of reasons people have trouble getting dates such as being shy or leery of occasional failure (which happens to everyone), but acting obnoxiously pretty much heads the list for being a true’ repeated failure at attracting dates. So, the worst trolls are encountering a strip where the final panel strongly fits them. Yipes! If they actually read the strip before commenting they have quite a problem!

Oh, today’s strip is so confronting! I was literally pretty much just doing `The Bernice Approach’ just minutes ago, and it’s become something of a bad habit the last few months! Aww, can I get a reassuring cuddle?!

That’s not the Luann approach, that’s Tiffany.

to paraphrase Mr Spock on panel 3… “I’m not sure that qualifies as ‘an approach’”.

“That is definitely a Luann approach.”-Please, please tell me how you found this. Did you just remember it? If so I am very impressed!

omg i would laugh so hard if Piro winds up to be gay!!!

I have noticed repeatedly that GE is excellent at giving hints through the inclusion of body language. Body language often speaks more loudly than words, but some people never realize that and do not learn it. There used to be books on it and maybe still are. A friend back in the 70s — very intelligent, kind, attractive — used to have great trouble getting dates. I had him show me the body language he used at gatherings which turned out to be crossed arms and other “Do not approach.” signals, and taught him different and more open body language before a large gathering. He not only got a date but later married her.After realizing that he had learned something useful he got refs and learned much, much more about body language on his own. Combined with his ability to speak multiple languages his awareness of the importance of body language (and later how it can vary across cultures) served him excellently in his career, too. In fact, the combo became part of what was essential for his success.Body language matters, and in this comic it provides info because GE knows it matters.

Both the Columbia and Challenger space shuttles broke up or exploded (for different reasons), killing their entire crews.

Why [are] so many women are attracted to dark, brooding males who seem to have no personality?Piro may not be so “dark, brooding” as you suggest. Also, I think women attracted to men who are self-confident enough not to seem overeager for a relationship. Of course, that has its flip side, when self-confidence spills over into remoteness or narcissism. Too early to say, for sure, but, so far, Piro is interesting to me, as well.

One approach might be to get a classic silent movie (original “Wizard of Oz” perhaps) and the next time you run across Piro (do NOT chase after him) ask him if he would like to watch, you would appreciate his comments. During this time ask him some questions about himself, starting with why he likes silents so much. My point is to find out something about this guy before you decide you want to date him.

The only approach that matters here to Bernie is Piro’s, and so far it doesn’t seem as if he will….

Ha ha, they just admitted Tiffany and Luann would use the same approach

Poor kid. I sympathize — and identify with her.

This Dez character just comes across to me as a loser. So far, not much personality or any really good traits expressed by him. Does the plot thicken?

the 1st one should be called the “tiff approach” and not the luann approach

I guess I’m the only one who likes Bernice’s alter-ego: Good Time Bernie……….she makes Tiffany look like a choir girl.

Brd, many thanks for finding and posting that strip where Luann tried just that sort of Cosmo thing!

Over all the comments today, I am surprised a little at the apparent lack of empathy for Bernice. She looks quite sad and pathetic in the last panel, burdened by her own inaction. I feel very sorry for her, and hope sincerely that Greg finds a way for her to work her way out of this and move forward in being able to relate and interact more positively toward potential romantic interests be they Piro or other.

What ever the approach, Piro seems immune. Gay? Taken? Focused on studies? Drug addled?

I can’t help but wonder if Piro might swing the other way.

Ah, too bad herps are not my thing. I have no useful komodo dragon ref info.

Chris, these likely just duplicate what she and you have, but:These may be at a good level for a 7th grader, if they might be useful:http://ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/komodo_dragon.htmhttp://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Komododragon.cfmIn part (one historical note also seemed possibly questionable, some data higher grade level):http://www.tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4457

Spoiler: basic creatures

But not speaking roles. Which is the point, for people who are uncomfortable in dealing with speaking to other people (for whatever reason).

-I mentioned Zane to the poster I was answering because that poster stated that Bernice had never had any relationship with a man before. Not because I was in any way suggesting that he was going to appear again in Bernice’s life.

to Namrepus:you are absolutely right. Paris(tiffany) is the mistress of seducing. that’s why I said before that Bernice is going to need lessons from Paris. if Piro likes her, he won’t ignore her, like he did to Paris a while ago. I also don’t see Luann doing it like that. Bernice doesn’t like Paris, but she needs her help for once, like it or not.