For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 27, 2024

I am not sure how to take the first statement. Michael is complimenting Gordon for having a full-service pump when this was originally published in 1995, over 10 years after I thought full-service pumps went away (not in New Jersey, I know). Are there many full-service gas stations in Canada? Is Canada like New Jersey? Where I live in Tucson, I do not know of any.

so it’s a three way marriage? was that legal in mid 90s Canada?

Family businesses are tough. Especially for a husband and wife

Wow, this brings back memories. My grandfather owned and ran a Texaco station until the mid 90s.

Can’t you afford to hire extra help, Gordon? What’ll you do when Tracey becomes pregnant?

Had a chance to buy a failed Mobil station for $4000. Soooo glad I didn’t! They were treating their “owners” like dirt.

Looks like Gordon is wiping the dipstick and checking the oil. They used to do that at full service gas stations.

Gold Mines are great until you realize just how much work it is !

What is that strange “box” shaped thing on the side of the building in the first panel. Has a strange symbol on it. Kind of looks like a “C”. *<]:oD

Strip really shows it’s age.

Welcome to reality

Relax everyone, it’s just a comic.

Gas stations don’t really make their money selling gas. It’s all the items inside the store that that are purchased that make your profit. Maybe 2 more pumps will increase the foot traffic inside so the bottom line will be a little deeper for Gordon.

Maybe it’s time to hire an employee?

I trust their bank account reflects the increased business.

I’ve looked and looked. Then I looked some more; Show me the talk about full service, or even any mention of it.

They should be glad their not in my town! The city got the bright idea to put concrete dividers leaving only one place for half a mile or so to turn left. A lot of people make U-turns at traffic lights.

Wasn’t there some talk in the Biden Administration about banning ‘Self-service’ gas pumps based on some environmental arguement?

Gordon, are you doing the full service thing for Mike’s dad because of your friendship with the family?

Speaking as someone with absolutely nothing to inherit from family. Gordon shouldn’t complain, what started as a part-time job after school led to him pretty much being handed a turn key business that makes money. This does not happen to everybody, some of us are left with nothing and have to start from scratch.

LOL I remember now what happens. . .

Ask any married couple who jointly own and operate a business and they’ll tell you that they’re not only married to each other but to the business!

Gordo was my father for all the years I was growing up. He ran a Texaco someone else owned and never seemed to have any help. He had one day off a week when they closed and one week a year for vacation. I have no idea who filled in then because he never seemed to have help.

I used to work at a gas station that had a garage, but we never worked on cars. There’s probably a mini market there now

All I can think is, they must be freezing! But then I remember they’re in Canada so I guess they’re used to it.

And a year from this time, they’ll be expecting their little boy.

That is EXACTLY what I said in an earlier installment of this thread a few months ago. They are a new couple, just starting out. Yet they are tied down to this business and as such cannot travel, have fun and get to know each other to any great extent. Hire some help, or that will be a relationship killer in short order.

Great stuff, back to Gordo! My favorite storylines! I sense a change weather, or was that a disturbance in the Force ??? ;-)

It’s perfectly okay to take Sunday off, especially in Canada where it’s much more laid back than south of the border.

Sorry, Gordon, I fell asleep halfway through reading that second panel. You must be the most boring person in Canada. Yes, even worse than Dr. Patterson!