FoxTrot Classics by Bill Amend for January 16, 2023

Even Calvin — a first grader — complains about shoveling the sidewalk when asked to.

uh she asks to teach you how to be polite for the future – that’s all

She’s fond of oblique hints and allergic to clear communication

You knew you were gonna have to do it Peter. So why bother answering the question ?

My parents never asked.

deleted panel: “Get your ### outside and shovel the driveway with that spoon!!” There was only room for four.

In fairness, asking the way she did is poor communication. It’s not polite. It’s a setup for miscommunication and unnecessary confrontation. Polite would have been, “Peter, please shovel the walk.” On the other hand, without miscommunication and confrontation, you don’t have much of a story.

My mom used to ask me if I would like to take out the garbage. I sometimes replied, “Can I? Please, please, please, please, please! Oh boy!” She rolled her eyes at me because I always did it.

Rhetorical, boy-o.

I remember living in Stuttgart and having to get up and shovel the sidewalk at 0500 in the winters. Not fun.

Peter, just shovel.

I love the brand name on the snack bag.

As an English major, she should have rephrased the question.

I was never asked. The parents knew my answer would have been the same as Peter’s.

that’s me… give an honest answer and get in trouble

Andy should get him back next time he asks if he “can” do something.

thats woman speak 101 dear boy. learn from it.

Never had to worry about shoveling the driveway down in Houston. Cutting the grass, now that’s a different story.

Speaking as a mom, this is so very true. If I ask one of my kids if they would “mind” doing a chore, the answer MUST be that the kid hops up & does the chore!

I don’t recall my parents asking anything, or even suggesting anything. It was pretty much “your job is to do THIS, NOW.” Backsass would have consequences.

Where I live at western part of state gets snow, central part very little to none, the whole state is hurting for moisture. Southern state been without.

I agree. Next time, just tell you..

Pretty sure neither of my parents ever proposed shoveling snow in that way to my brothers; More like, “Here’s the shovel, you know what to do”.

Just to be polite, making you think you actually have a choice.

I use a similar answer when tourists ask me to take their picture. “Yes, I would mind. It would ruin my entire day and I’m offended you asked.”