This cartoon doesn’t work for me. Could try to be witty with a “close knit” comment, but even though the guy in the cubicle resembles the boss, the two ladies are an unknown. Perhaps there should have been a family photo tying things together.
Heh. The office staff looks like two of my ex-sister-in-laws and a former brother-in-law. After they finished sucking my brother and sister dry. Hostile indeed.
Well they do have Dr Phil on speed dial///and then throw in a poster or two on the wall stating that there is “no me in team” might be another clue. Happy family companies/ just like small towns only give you one chance to fit in. Then just like a family it is black sheep time.
Well good morning everyone.Looks like palos woke up early and stumbled over a tripwire.Nightshade delivers a giant piece of humble pie.Bob must see the resemblance and…
A cubicle farm can be likened to cages, which is what you would NOT expect to have in a “family” environment. I loved this one, but then again, I spend my day in a cubicle!
Not really sure I get this one, but maybe it’s just the “family” comment. Unless it’s a Mom and Pop store, no business is a family environment. When they tell you that in a corporate setting, you know they’re feeding you a line of &!%##*
My employer gave all its employees a course about violence in the workplace. One thing I learned is that employees who think of their co-workers as family tend toward violence. I can understand that; the expectations would be inappropriate.
I understand it perfectly. The boss/owner has browbeated the help into saying the right things in his presence and as soon as he is out of sight they quit working. The only way he can achieve the “family” status is to keep them from having eye contact when he is in the room.
Those of you who don’t get it are both very fortunate in your own families, and somewhat unobservant of other families (or otherwise sheltered). Don’t worry about it, just go to a different comic that is funny to you.
Is everyone missing the point of this cartoon? It’s about the irony of the situation versus the description. The boss is telling a new employee (or an existing employee from another office, or a client, or even just a visitor – it doesn’t matter) about how it’s like a family, i.e., people are communicating with each other. But, instead, all the workers are isolated – seperated from each by walls – with no communication.
Last place I worked, I resided in a corporate cubeville office that when not living in Dilbertland, I was constantly reminded of the “Ticky-Tacky” song about suburban tract housing.
You know everyone does kinda look the same in the cubicles. Maybe the gene pool is not that deep and the family reference is very close to reality. Plus there is a guy playing a banjo just out of the picture.
I think I get it from his point of view but it looks sooooo like my office environment, and we too hear the same line of BS about it being a great place to work and about our culture so often that it seems normal now;, but down deep I know that moldy bread has more culture.
This made me laugh out loud today! For those who are looking too hard at the meaning: Families can be hostile as in quick to critcize, catch you in a mistake, kick you when you’re down, be jealous if something good happens to you, talk about you behind your back, while giving you unasked-for advice that is for your own good. Just your average disfunction. You love them, but try to avoid them if you can. You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose who you’re related to. If you enjoy your family, count yourself lucky and blessed!
A family of regimented, cubicle-dwelling serfs? Sure, it’s a family…and he’s the Wicked Stepfather. Then, too: The Godfather and The Sopranos were also about families..On the other hand, I was blessed to work for many, many years in an outfit where they could call themselves a “family” without irony — we worked together as a team, and we had each others’ backs when things went south, either professionally or personally. (Yes, even including management.) It was good. It’s rare, but it does happen.
You have had some very toxic corporate envirionments (as have I) but my only sibling was worse. My brother sold the condo dad bought for them without mom’s understanding (she was so sure he had her interests at heart). He needed it to pay a lawsuit and offered me 1/2 but when I told him it was her money I never heard more (he continued to use her money (even SSA, as dad’s will gave him POA). Karma kicked in and he died of brain cancer. I never had inheiritance from our parents but I worked hard and earned until late 60s (my last layoff) and I have a nice house and living in good health.
palos almost 13 years ago
This cartoon doesn’t work for me. Could try to be witty with a “close knit” comment, but even though the guy in the cubicle resembles the boss, the two ladies are an unknown. Perhaps there should have been a family photo tying things together.
Superfrog almost 13 years ago
Welcome to the world of battery hens.
Harryfan almost 13 years ago
Hmm, yes some families do behave in a hostile manner. Some of the nastiest infighting known to mankind.
Ida No almost 13 years ago
Heh. The office staff looks like two of my ex-sister-in-laws and a former brother-in-law. After they finished sucking my brother and sister dry. Hostile indeed.
wilb44 almost 13 years ago
Well they do have Dr Phil on speed dial///and then throw in a poster or two on the wall stating that there is “no me in team” might be another clue. Happy family companies/ just like small towns only give you one chance to fit in. Then just like a family it is black sheep time.
Modoc almost 13 years ago
Hadn’t even gotten into the comments and I was chuckling. I’ve seen too many examples of both. Too many like to take the fun out of disfunctional.
Ida No almost 13 years ago
If any of them offer you an orange, accept it, then slowly back out of the room, then run.
roctor almost 13 years ago
Well good morning everyone.Looks like palos woke up early and stumbled over a tripwire.Nightshade delivers a giant piece of humble pie.Bob must see the resemblance and…
Commentator almost 13 years ago
I don’t get this one.
Rjstern almost 13 years ago
A cubicle farm can be likened to cages, which is what you would NOT expect to have in a “family” environment. I loved this one, but then again, I spend my day in a cubicle!
Kaputnik almost 13 years ago
Not really sure I get this one, but maybe it’s just the “family” comment. Unless it’s a Mom and Pop store, no business is a family environment. When they tell you that in a corporate setting, you know they’re feeding you a line of &!%##*
wicky almost 13 years ago
He could go prairie dogging
RonaldDavis almost 13 years ago
My employer gave all its employees a course about violence in the workplace. One thing I learned is that employees who think of their co-workers as family tend toward violence. I can understand that; the expectations would be inappropriate.
Dr_Fogg almost 13 years ago
Boy am I not glad I read this comic’s comments this morning :-C
js305 almost 13 years ago
I understand it perfectly. The boss/owner has browbeated the help into saying the right things in his presence and as soon as he is out of sight they quit working. The only way he can achieve the “family” status is to keep them from having eye contact when he is in the room.
Been there….
Varnes almost 13 years ago
Quick, minimize the Angry Birds…
calveman almost 13 years ago
I don’t get it!
cassandra_meme almost 13 years ago
Not sure I get it. Because it’s family?
Gokie5 almost 13 years ago
If you have a family like the one I go help out with from time to time, you’ll understand today’s strip perfectly. P. S.: I do love them all.
dfowensby almost 13 years ago
iḿ with palos. i don’t get it.
underwriter almost 13 years ago
Those of you who don’t get it are both very fortunate in your own families, and somewhat unobservant of other families (or otherwise sheltered). Don’t worry about it, just go to a different comic that is funny to you.
Craigj3534 almost 13 years ago
Is everyone missing the point of this cartoon? It’s about the irony of the situation versus the description. The boss is telling a new employee (or an existing employee from another office, or a client, or even just a visitor – it doesn’t matter) about how it’s like a family, i.e., people are communicating with each other. But, instead, all the workers are isolated – seperated from each by walls – with no communication.
LingeeWhiz almost 13 years ago
Bob could try a hostile takeover.
Radical-Knight almost 13 years ago
Last place I worked, I resided in a corporate cubeville office that when not living in Dilbertland, I was constantly reminded of the “Ticky-Tacky” song about suburban tract housing.
bmonk almost 13 years ago
Another aspect of the description: he’s using the royal “we”, ’cause for sure nobody else there thinks of them as a family.
wilb44 almost 13 years ago
You know everyone does kinda look the same in the cubicles. Maybe the gene pool is not that deep and the family reference is very close to reality. Plus there is a guy playing a banjo just out of the picture.
Dtroutma almost 13 years ago
The fact he’s stepping from a colorized world, into a flat, blank, blue, of icy isolation, says it all.
Jim101 almost 13 years ago
I think I get it from his point of view but it looks sooooo like my office environment, and we too hear the same line of BS about it being a great place to work and about our culture so often that it seems normal now;, but down deep I know that moldy bread has more culture.
Defective Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I really ticked off the Snow Demons (or someone…) yesterday when I started talking about no snow in Maine. Getting lots today.
jump4joy almost 13 years ago
This made me laugh out loud today! For those who are looking too hard at the meaning: Families can be hostile as in quick to critcize, catch you in a mistake, kick you when you’re down, be jealous if something good happens to you, talk about you behind your back, while giving you unasked-for advice that is for your own good. Just your average disfunction. You love them, but try to avoid them if you can. You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose who you’re related to. If you enjoy your family, count yourself lucky and blessed!
PShaw0423 almost 13 years ago
A family of regimented, cubicle-dwelling serfs? Sure, it’s a family…and he’s the Wicked Stepfather. Then, too: The Godfather and The Sopranos were also about families..On the other hand, I was blessed to work for many, many years in an outfit where they could call themselves a “family” without irony — we worked together as a team, and we had each others’ backs when things went south, either professionally or personally. (Yes, even including management.) It was good. It’s rare, but it does happen.
RDSF almost 13 years ago
Perhaps it has to do with the fact that they are all separated by cubicles, and they all look depressed?
monawarner almost 13 years ago
What I want to know is how everyone gets the comics so much earlier than I do?
vldazzle almost 13 years ago
You have had some very toxic corporate envirionments (as have I) but my only sibling was worse. My brother sold the condo dad bought for them without mom’s understanding (she was so sure he had her interests at heart). He needed it to pay a lawsuit and offered me 1/2 but when I told him it was her money I never heard more (he continued to use her money (even SSA, as dad’s will gave him POA). Karma kicked in and he died of brain cancer. I never had inheiritance from our parents but I worked hard and earned until late 60s (my last layoff) and I have a nice house and living in good health.
Pygar almost 13 years ago
I hear free-range clerks are healthier…
Wizard4168 almost 13 years ago
“We think of ourselves as a family.” Yeah, so did Charles Manson and his little friends…