For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 14, 2012

Of course she can — she married you, didn’t she?

John does show a bit of chauvinism now and then. He can’t see that a joke isn;t always.

If he keeps this up, he’ll be sleeping on the couch for a month. Ellie deserves much better than this.

’Can’t you take a joke?’ is the classic line of a bully…

He’s a joke, all right!!

What he said was, “It was good to see you working for a change”. If she interprets that as being called “Lazy, useless and stupid”, then she’s got some insecurity issues to deal with.

When he says those things, he should be talking to the mirror…it’s a lot closer to home.

Could he take the joke if she said that to him?

Here comes the punchline..better duck, John!!!

Sure, everybody can take a joke – - – - when it’s played on someone else.

That’s right John, just keeping digging deeper and deeper.

He’s passive-aggressive.

Ah yes, the old “I want to be able to insult you, because I find it funny; if it upsets you when I insult you, it’s your fault because you don’t find it funny like I do.” The excuse of jerks everywhere.

I know these are reruns and it was back in the day, so I guess back then a stay at home mom was given no respect. I would still smack in the back of the head!

I love “jokes” like that! Not.

And she’s never said anything he could take as an insult?I remember when an off-the-wall comment would generated a few muffled chuckles and life went on.Now, one innocent slip of the tongue can end a marriage or career!

Re yesterday’s strip: There was a Sunday strip once where she was interuppted in her housework (cleaning, dishes, squalling kids, etc) by a knock on the door. Answered door to find someone taking a survey. Do you have a job outside the house? No? Ok, as a non-working mother——-Final frame was a slamming door!

If you find yourself thinking or saying ’Can’t you take a joke?’ Chances are you weren’t funny and have slipped some unresolved hostility into your ‘joke’. Apologise and reassess your words, find out what made you think or say something so thoughtless..

You don’t need a marriage counselor to figure out this is the point where you say, “I am sorry”. Then followed by sincere displays of affection, a hug for example.

As I am trying to teach my youth group, if it hurts someone, it isn’t funny. I don’t want them to be ‘unable to take a joke’ – it’s a good way to BE bullied. But I think I’ll print out the last 2 days to help make my point.

Especially if this was one of the original-run strips, I understand better why Lynn Johnston is no longer married to her ex.

@amaryllis2: DITTO!

I like this quote from “Ask Amy” the other day:“Things said in jest are often more revealing of a person’s true intent than the jester is willing to admit.”

You’re walking on thin ice, John. Again I say: ;p

Well done on missing that point, sir.