For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 10, 2019

And just how long have those four been living in Canada, the Great White North? Oh, that’s right… ALL THEIR LIVES!

The decorative symbols on the coat are curious and have the look of some First Nations outfits decoration (although less elaborate). They are an interesting contrast to the plain clothing of the other kids. Are the kids mocking a First Nations’ kid? It could be possible, since the properly-winter geared person is not stopping to get on the same school bus they are. In the North Bay, Ontario area, where Lynn Johnston was living at the time she did this comic strip, they do have First Nation’s operated private schools.

Must be cool to go to school.

Geez, wearing that short skirt looks COLD!

Peer pressure knows no Fahrenheit.

You can’t be warm AND look ‘cool’ …no matter what the Centigrade.

The bundled up person probably thinks you’re a bunch of dopes for not bundling up. He’s not cold, you are!

Just a warm hat would make a big difference.

I’m glad Canadian winter weather had evolved since then. Now they won’t look stupid standing outside in the harsh cold with only a light jacket on.

Um, I don’t think there is any mocking happening related to race, gender, or anything other than teen fashion police. Being warm and comfortable is not a good thing. It’s a wonder they survive to become adults!

Frost bite is cool, no doubt about it.

Yeah,the smart one.

Lynn’s notes show what her punch line does- the reality of being “cool” when you live in a cold place. Lynn’s Comments: This scenario never changes. Here we are in 2019, with all of the new synthetics and brand name winter duds and east coast kids still hit the snow in summer clothing. Here on the warm wet coast, however, one can see the biggest parkas waiting in line for the bus. Go figure!

2 words: thermal underwear. I remember the first time I saw a girl wearing a thin cotton skirt (and boots) and asking how she stayed warm. She lifted the hem to show me waffle-type underwear cut off at the knee and elastic band sewn at the ends.

STOP overthinking everything!

I have fond memories of mini skirts and deep snow banks. Fashion rules!

There go the frozen “Dedicated Followers of Fashion” – The Kinks

I couldn’t help but wonder if the bundled person was Elizabeth exhibiting her superior brain smarts to those of the older kids. It kind of looked like her. Of course, in a few years she’ll be the one shivering at the stop.

Wisdom and good sense are rarely appreciated by the ‘cool’ kids, or at least those who want to be thought of as cool. Be cool, stay warm.

When was this cartoon originally published? I remember it from what seems like years ago.

howtheduck you should ‘Get a Life’.

What guys that age overlooked was that if you wore a large, bulky but very warm coat often a freezing young lady would want to snuggle up in it with you.

I work with a young man who is about 22. A few weeks ago in 20 degree weather he came in with no coat. I went full Mom-mode on him. Hands on hips, shaking head, etc. Next day, he shows up wearing a bathrobe over his uniform. Yes, he HAS a coat. (The first time he wore the bathrobe, a couple of us were worried about this and wanted to buy him one if he needed it, but he owns a perfectly good coat…) He just is 22 and thinks it’s ‘fun’ to wear the robe around when it’s cold out.

I have no sympathy for somebody who is cold and is intentionally inappropriately dressed.

Where’s the great Canadian lady, Velka ? Hope she’s OK!

If u look real close at the folder…..CT

Were the students bundled up, they would have problems at school. Most lockers in schools are small. Boots, coats, scarves won’t fit. When I was teaching, students wore the same clothes in class that they rode the bus on. My guess is that the students know exactly when the bus arrives. They rush out, shiver, then get on a warm bus.

Teenagers are funny. :-D

Sounds like a strip where it is pouring and Elly tells Michael to take an umbrella. His response is that umbrellas look British. Elly says to please put on his rain slicker; Michael says he would look like a goof. Elly sighs and asks Michael to take his rubber boots. Michael says “And no one wears rubber boots anymore!”

The final panel shows several kids waiting at the bus stop. All of them have umbrellas, rain coats, rubber boots or some combination. All except Michael, who is standing there staring into space (and soaked).

There is a difference between being cool and being cold, But in this case, being cool is being cold.

I went to a concert in Wisconsin about 30 years ago. It was a freezing cold winter day, and the doors weren’t open yet. Everyone was bundled up except one teenager. He was wearing jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. He didn’t appear to be shivering, and said he wasn’t cold, but some of us gathered around him, to at least keep him out of the wind. He was with his parents and siblings, all of whom were bundled up. Why they let him out of the house without a coat, I will never understand.

Thanx, howtheduck for the info to find the final strip of FBOFW. It was very interesting, I loved it.

How to dress for cold weather, take your clothes off, put on some PJ’s and get back into bed.

Getting frozen half to death to appear cool!

Ha-ha, the one person smart enough to dress right for the weather

I was the kid all dressed up for the weather, and I would rather walk to school than take the bus and have to put up with the “in crowd.” At least I was warm and got my exercise. I wasn’t by myself for long, there were more kids like me than “cool kids” in those days. (Some of THEM were almost blue, some days.) . LOL

“There is no bad weather, only bad clothing”

“The more things change…” Saw kids walk and play with completely bare legs in what felt like 5 Celsius, without being bothered at all. One of them even wore strapped sandals. Must’ve been tourists from Siberia,

No, they’re all wearing light jackets and the kid walking by is in a heavy coat with scarf, gloves, and hat. That’s the difference.