For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 13, 2020

So, what is the message here? One boy’s opinion matters more than any number of girls? Also, I see one braid. Why is everyone saying braid(s) plural?

yeah, the whole world is cruel

She should have just punched him in the gut! Sorry I am old school that is what I would have done.

Macho boys, kings of the universe, but no taste !

All her girl friends and a teacher build her up and one solitary wank ruins it for Liz? Sigh. It’s the age, all right. If she were still in grade school and didn’t like boys yet, she probably would’ve decked him. Rightly.

It wasn’t everybody it was just one boy. Don’t be insecure because of one negative comment.

I would have thought a girl who grew up with a brother like Michael would be immune to teasing, especially such a weak effort. Shame she didn’t say something like, ‘Wow, all that time you spend in the sty and you still don’t know what pig’s tails look like? How embarrassing for you.’

So sad that we allow other’s opinions to make our decisions for us.

That’s not how French Braids looked in my day, but there are two braids. Just brought together at the end with one ribbon.

At that age, and sometimes regardless, it only takes one.

I’ve heard of pig tails but not the term pork tails. Is that a Canadian thing? Do they make bovine tail soup?

One year my younger daughter wanted to wear a French braid for her school picture. Unfortunately, since she’s rather pale, and her hair is blonde and fine…the picture makes her look almost bald!

Lynn’s Comments:

Somebody told me once that it takes 10 positive comments to overrule one negative comment. Seems like a lot, but then we tend to be very sensitive creatures.

There was an All-Star major league baseball player from the 90s and early 2000s. 30000 people would be cheering for him one person would boo he’d hear the boo and let it bother him.

I remember those days very well. I’d leave the house feeling pretty and good about myself. At school, all my friends would tell me I looked nice, but if only one person, boy or girl, said anything negative, I immediately felt ugly and not good enough. It only takes one negative to erase a lot of positives, especially in junior high and high school.

GAAAAAHHHH! I’m SO glad I’m not 10-12yo any more! The PRESSURE!

The ones that teased you are nerds!!!

I remember this strip! Wasn’t there a guidance counselor in a wheelchair?

I think it has something to do with truthfulness. You hear the good comments and enjoy them. Then a bad one comes your way, and you think maybe the others were lying to you.

She needs to learn that geeky boys (99.9% of them) opinions do not matter.

Having raised a daughter and spent many hour braiding hair I learned you only get to do that to a certain point. After that nothing you do is going to be right.

Should have asked him what he has in his mouth….tree roots?

If you look at the pictures of the back of her head you will see two braids.

“Hey, carrots” caused a feud for years

Elizabeth goes to Little House on the Prairie…

It doesn’t matter how many positive comments a child receives, one cruel remark will negatively affect anyone.

Double row of braids, if you loo closely.

I remember in high school, I wore a pretty blouse my mom bought me, got compliments until one guy made fun it…I never wore it again. And he was a jerk but one negative comment in school can feel devastating. I get it!

She should have hit that kid.

We tend to be hurt by one rude comment than to appreciate a dozen compliments. It’s what bullies thrive on. Support each other.

At my old school that boy better be ready to swallow some teeth.

All those nice compliments and one wrong one was the undoing of nice hair.

It’s sad. Most women do not wear long hair because they don’t know all the tricks for putting it up quickly. My wife had very long hair but would frequently wear it in an asymmetric topknot – very cute.

It’s true, pre-teen girls really do think like this.

Ugh! You’re totally oversensitive! No wonder your brother sees you as easy prey!