For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 18, 2013

to the dog house,march

If there were a fourth panel, it would show Elly dumping that coffee on John.

It falls to the person who is bothered the most by the mess. I’d explain more, but I have to clean up some dishes.

Then he just rubs it in more with the head pat as he walks off.

thts rubbin it in

He’s really asking for it now!

The line work seems to have gotten thicker. Was this about when newspapers started shrinking the comics?

i don’t like john never did i am glad she got rid of him

Solution: NO SUPPER for anyone until every chore is done.

Oh, John, open mouth, insert foot – AGAIN!!!!

Neither of these two are likable in these earlier years. John is a jerk, and Elly really isn’t any better in her own way. I though they became better as the years went on.

And, Another Problem Solved!

Here’s the deal tho. . . nobody likes to be treated like a maid. There’s more to running a house than picking up after people. Having young children makes it hard to keep a tidy home but the least John could do is be responsible for his own messes. And Michael is certainly old enough to have a few chores himself.

Maybe she should get off her lazy butt and go to work and then she could use that money to pay someone to clean her house. Oh wait, I forgot any money she earns would be HER money.

In my house it’s my husband that’s bothered by clutter—doesn’t bother me a bit. I refuse to believe that the last words of any woman were “I wish I’d kept a cleaner house.” i know that won’t be true for me!

This exchange is so mundane but it really puts a spotlight on the problem. This really started when men and women started insisting that one was better than the other rather than complementarily different, setting off one of the stupidest competitions in history. This strip is just one more serve over the net. Everyone likes a clean, tidy, orderly home; not many of us salivate over the idea of the grunge work necessary to make one (my husband’s grandmother was one who did; she literally died vacuuming, poor lady.). While Elly’s whining is juvenile, John’s response is just as bad. Possibly worse in that it makes her situation unappreciated and without hope of any sharing. Bad Elly. Bad John.

No one nags like Elly…

If you don’t like it why do you read it?

She’s stuck with it because she’s the one who hates the clutter. Not only because she’s female. Many women (including myself) lament that if they don’t do something it won’t get done. If the mess bothered the others in the household they’d do something about it. If they don’t, it’s because they’re not as bothered by it as the woman of the house, therefore she is stuck with it. That explains Elly’s problem. As for John’s, I wouldn’t mind what he said as much as how he said it. How dare he pat her head like a dog? I’d slap him every which way for that, the lowlife jerk! He always acts so superior and it’s time he was knocked down a peg or two!

Heil!

To paraphrase Richard B Riddick: I’m gonna kill you with my teacup…

And yes, you’re right, argy.bargy2. I thought of the “cheap, obvious laugh” thing, too (not as articulately as you), but still . . .

Recomendation!Cover the coffe mug on the last panel with your finger!

I see. So, cooking, doing dishes, buying groceries, vacuuming a house, dusting, doing laundry, ironing it, folding it, walking a dog and cleaning up after it, making sure kids do homework, helping with homework if you can, driving kids to doctors or soccer practice or what — all of these are a HOBBY to you? What you mean is, a woman who works full time as a homemaker has the option of getting a PAID job, so she can hire someone else to take care of the homefront. RIGHT?

I am very sensitive to the subject of full time work in the home because my Dad died when I was 9, leaving my Mom, younger brother and me. My mother worked and took care of us and the home full time until our Step-Dad ( a great guy) came into our lives. My brother and I had to handle some of the chores around the house at younger ages than lots of kids so I am fully aware of what it takes to run a house for more than one person.

Dean Man Walkin’!

My Mom thought capitol punishment should be sentencing some to life at housework

I always thought that if Lynn patterned John on her own husband, it’s better he’s gone…

Wrong thing to say, Caveman John!