For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 08, 2015

You’re an idiot, John, for thinking of the wrong kind of soap.

I hope you like the taste of that soap.

TypicalI have received in the past, Pink Flannel pj’s. a sleeveless red and black striped turtle neck tee shirt. a set of pot scrubbers from Big Lots, a candle (no not a scented one a taper type) a bathrobe (I don’t wear them) and best one of all. a six pack of Pepsi. I don’t drink soft drinks, I swear he bought the first thing inside the door of the store.50 years later, I get flowers and a balloon, My choice of balloon and always red and white striped carnations. He’s happy and I’m happy.

I can’t believe a woman would suggest soap as a gift from a husband to his wife.Soap is not a romantic present.This is set in the 1980’s… when decorative soap was what you bought for your kids to give their great-aunt Thelma for Christmas.Today’s handmade artisan soaps are suitable small gifts from one woman to another, especially for, say, gift draws, where you don’t know each other well.

But worse…. Jean should know that even if John got that she meant bath soap, he probably would have bought Dial. (Or these days, Irish Spring.)

Oh yes. I love a good, fancy bar. And the more you love ‘em, the more often you use ’em, which means eventually they don’t even exist. Just like your sweetie!

Could any man really be this stupid?

Thick as a brick. How did this guy survive college and dental school without picking up any common sense along the way?

Guys – if you truly can not think of an appropriate gift and/or are strapped for cash, do the chores and errands she normally does. And do them well. Google it if you need to. Burn a sick day or vacation day if you need to. You will be giving her the gift of time, which is the most precious gift there is.

Are there really men out there that are that clueless?

Personally, I do not like those fancy little scented soaps, not even for decorations. I have a friend who always gives me her homemade artisan soaps for my birthday or Christmas, and I always either just throw them away or pass them on to someone who likes them.

Lynn’s Notes:

One of the best Mother’s Day gifts I ever received was a small, round plaster “pancake” into which my son, Aaron, had pressed his hand. This was the brainchild of his kindergarten teacher. On the card that came with it was written, “This is the hand you held when I was five.” It was a precious, wonderful keepsake, which was, sadly lost when we moved to North Bay from Lynn Lake. When my daughter’s two children were babies, she pressed their hands and feet into similar pads of clay. I hope she keeps them in a safer spot than I did!

I’d say skip the “For Better.” She’s stuck with the “or Worse.”

Ahhh….how long “were” you married?

Must be some cheap gift. The manufacturers cannot even spell their own name or “econo” correctly!

4 words- You are an idiot.

At least when she starts throwing pots and pans at him, he can make a clean getaway…

How about a gift basket from Bath & Body Works?

What happened when Ellie told her daughter to get lost?I would of loved to see this storyline extended.