Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for March 09, 2019

oh, I can hardly wait to know who this Doug is in person

Jealous much? ✨

Luann’s about to find out that “digital bouquets” are a dime a dozen… and no need to adjust for inflation!

Looks to me like Doug’s a playa!

Watch Doug does not show up!!!

Ugh! I guess this arc is going into overtime!

Seems like it’s already been in overtime!

Confirmed: Doug is playing the field – which, I suppose, is okay since he’s looking to make acquaintances, neither of these girls is his “steady.”

Still, even having found my current wife with a dating app, the above seems beyond stilted and a bit ridiculous.

Oh, good lord, Luanne. The man can be interested in two females at the same time. Good grief, to expect exclusivity immediately is so totally unrealistic. You need to get over yourself, girl.

Good Grief! The ONLY one that seems to have a problem with “Dougie,” is “Luann.” If she doesn’t wanna date Doug, then don’t date Doug! Luann is acting as though he Jilted her. at the altar or something.

Ms DeGroot’s choices are easy:

1) Date someone else on the dating site app, and take a chance.

2) Take a chance that she might run into somebody new on campus, which so far hasn’t happened.

3) Ask one of the Guys she just foolishly “friend zoned” out for a date(s).

4) Continue to whine and moan that she doesn’t have any “romance,” just like Tiffany. Which in itself is Ironic. Tiffany has alienated the two guys that care MOST about her, last year with that two dates in one night MESS. And Luann just friend zoned the two guys that care most about her.

Talk about burning one’s bridges………,

These two sure seem to have a lot of leisure time in this chemistry class, don’t they?

Two antagonists in “Luann” were males whose name started with a ‘D’: Dirk and Derek. Maybe Doug is an antagonist as well. He could be a sexual predator created to show the risk of online dating.

Understand now why Luann isn’t dating? She’s assuming possession even before going out with the guy. That always ends bad.

And I guess unlike Doug, she doesn’t like threesomes.

If they hold Luann’s phone up on one side, and Tara’s phone up on the other, they would get Doug in stereo.

Luann is going Gunther on Tara.

Thus begins the education of Luann. Tara should instruct Luann on flirting with multiple guys on the dating apps.

Maybe Tara should talk Luann into a double date with Jack and Nil. If Tara heats up Nil, we may find out if Luann can get Jack excited (and vice versa).

Wish they were 21. Luann going to a bar with Tara could be a great arc. Starbucks not so much.

Rowwrrrr…. cat fight!

Does she really have a chance against “I never wear undies” Tara?

Doug is 14 years old.

G&K should name this arc “The Education of Luann”

Maybe you should at least see the guy in person before you expect him to be exclusive.

If this trend continues to its natural conclusion, the wedding night could be interesting.

For all her obsessing over boys throughout her adolescence, in fact Luann has never been all that much interested in dating. For most of the strip’s history, its premise has instead been that Luann’s main interest in life is having a boyfriend. This theme culminated in her actually having a boyfriend for several years, Quill, and then losing him when her need to be the main focus of his life drove him away. Maybe Tara (and “Doug”???) can help Luann break that old mode of behavior and realize that dating multiple people can be fun, and there’s no need to treat every date as potentially the start of a years-long commitment?

First, though, they had better put down those cell phones and pay attention to whatever is happening with those chemicald that they poured into the beaker… it could be far more urgent!

You’re not in Kansas any more, Toto …. er … Luann !

They may already know “Doug”.

She thinks she has proprietary rights on a guy she’s never even met?

Getting the impression that Luann views dating in college as “complicated” because she is making it so!

Hopefully Doug read today’s strip and realizes the drama he’d be walking into.

Standard Luann,, Over reacting even before you meet the guy.

Luann should have been paying closer attention to her chemistry lecture. The Pauli exclusion principle does not apply here. “Doug” is not a fermion. (It remains to be seen whether he is in fact a boson, or a Bozo.)

Luann is showing the maturity level of a middle school kid. I think for her own long term benefit she should quit school for a year and get a full time job to experience what the real world is like.

Uhhhh, SO? As in SO what are you trying to convey? That Luann is a hopeless Lamer(ette)??? Where we goin’?

I can’t believe Greg wants to claim Luann is so unsavvy as to believe she doesn’t realize dating apps are a “cast a wide net” service. Of course he could be playing it that way; either to have Tara alter Luann’s view of dating or to cause Luann to become jealous or competitive.

Who knows! And I wish he’d tell us.

SO?

Tiffany could use Howie as a warm-up game. Lucky little guy would never be the same, but he wouldn’t stop smiling for weeks.

You know what I hope? For the sake of the “Jack Fans” that is. I “Hope” that before this story arc is over; before next week is over in fact, that Jack steps up and asks Luann out on a REAL “just the two of them,” DATE. No Tara. No Nil. No Bernice.

Let Jack take Lu to a club where Jack’s friend’s band is playing. Let the two dance, party and above all have FUN. Then later have a quiet late night snack in a romantic spot. And much later, say about 3 AM, Jack drops Lu off at her front door. They stare into each other’s eyes for two panels. Then. KISS. And at the moment of that “kiss,” it slowly dawns on her that kissing Jack is like kissing a wet wildebeest. He’s a nice guy, but his kisses do NOTHING For Her. Sorts like when Bernice kissed Piro. And at the close of the arc, Pru greets Luann Lu with a “Say Luann. You’re NOT Glowing. Date go badly?” And THAT point Lu regrets pushing Gunther in Bets’ direction.

Oh, Oh. I think I see Argy coming, and leading an angry mob bearing a whole bunch of “Zzzzzzzzzzzzs!” Gotta run!

Happy weekend, people!

Tara gets it. Luann doesn’t. Not yet.

ah, a melange à trois

There is much to learn about online dating, on the part of Lu and her crew. I have a hunch that we are seeing material informed by the younger Evans’ experience.

It’s a numbers game, according to the US Census Bureau. The numbers favor Luann, at her supposed age of 18-19; it’s 7-to-6 in favor of the guys. That’s just raw population data, and I cite it as THE figure for the age group, since the vast majority of it is unmarried. As we age, there is a dramatic shift. By the time one reaches their mid-30’s, and has seen friends/family couple and pair, the ratio of single women to single men is 5-to-1. Get to age 50, and that ratio rises to a whopping 8-to-1. As a man in my 50’s, I thus have what amounts to a smorgasbord. Of course, how much of the available items are actually appetizing or edible brings the ratio down. I would say it’s probably about 2.5-to-1, simply based on my own experience. I live with my partner, and am committed, but her predecessor and that gal’s BFF are both circling back every few months and contacting me.

Then there’s another factor; that of age disparity. Younger gals with older guys is not exactly a new thing, although the opposite mostly is. WHY? Resources; the older guys have had the time to accumulate some, and the subconscious biological instinct within women to find the optimal father for their offspring often reacts to that.

There’s also what I call the explorer theory, where a younger gal prefers an experienced man to be the one to really explore her body thoroughly; the old “I don’t date boys/men my own age” approach that we often hear of.

Bottom line: WHY does Lu want to date at this time? She’s clearly not completed her work on herself, and finished becoming the adult she is supposed to be. That is usually true of her age group. Is she looking to meet The One, or for “nothing serious?” The answer to that question must serve to define her approach, and she clearly does not have her mind wrapped around that, yet.

and Doug already has girlfriend as well, and he’s married

In so many ways, Greg still portrays Luann as that “13-year-old, insecure, plain, Charlie Brown loser-type.” His words.

I notice that a number of posters, in a few cases likely ones who did not date in college, are unaware that it is not unusual for people to date casually during at least part of those years. It is not in the least unusual during those years to place the friendships with the dates before romance and to date multiple people, though dating multiple people on the same date is unusual and despite some posters’ fantasies about the 2D world is unlikely to be where this is going.

One of the questions that arises is whether Luann will be comfortable with casual dating, or if she is someone who needs romance, or at least the possibility of romance to date someone. Some people do and while that leads to some dry years for them dating-wise it works out in the end, as does the other approach.

The big thing is that Luann NOT forget that a successful marriage in its early years is usually based upon three Ls: Loving, liking, and lusting. The last is less important than the other two, but sure can be fun for the couple and bring them closer. Perhaps most importantly for the Luann character: people who forget that liking the person as well as loving the person is essential to cooperatively get through the hard times often have their relationships fall apart. Some individuals who place romance high on their list fall into that trap. The person needs to not only be loved, but also liked.

Jebus, Luann… If you’re having THIS difficult of a time, and you’re only three steps into a journey of 1,000 Miles, you’re going to come known as Lady Faceplant.

Aquarius, meet Sagittarius.

OK, 10-1 that Doug is Gunther in disguise! :PPP That would prove most interesting!

It would truly suck if Doug is, actually Les…… Sheez!

I’m not worried about Lu vs. Tara. I think they’d work it out. But if it’s Gunther on the other end…. all bets are off!

Uh-oh. It’s ON now…

friends just aren’t reliable enough.

Luann needs to get out more…

They need to send Doug a picture with both of them waving to him. At least, for the hoot of it.

Let Tara have him.

She hasn’t even met him yet, and he’s already cheating on her.

Maybe Les’s middle name is Doug….

I never say that I will be glad when a particular arc is going to end, and I won’t now, but lets say it will be great to see where this is going. I don’t think it’s jealousy or anything with Tara, rather she is being ironic in that she is making fun of how weird this is, but not so in online dating, while Luann is still trying to figure it out. Will Luann, or Tara meet Doug? What about Gunther and Bets? Stay tuned, maybe.

Yup, as I said, Luann doesn’t do casual and here she is struggling with the concept.

It’s Doug from Nickelodeon, then Disney … He grew up! :)

I guess I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think so.

How many of you figure Doug is the staple-loving TA?

“DOUG” is actually Ann Eiffel. You see, Ann is trapped in a warehouse. She found out the hard way that Tiffany’s Dad’s fortune has actually been getting sucked up by his addiction to gambling with the Saudis and SHE’s been taken as a “marker”. She found a cell phone on a dead guy in the warehouse (another gambling widow?) and the only app that works is his dating app. Her only hope is to send bouquets in a pattern…but will Luann figure it out?

You know how some guys never grow up past running around the playground yelling names at girls? Some girls never grow up past waiting for prince charming to sweep them off there feet. If she isn’t into the whole online thing, she can date one of the guys she knows, but it doesnt seem real wise not to cast a wider net to make sure your making the right decision. Luanns dated all of what, 1 guy now? Not much for comparison.

I can also understand a bit of Luanns concern. I can only imagine what Taras profile looks like, but I’m guessing it’s pritty radically different than Luanns average/school marm/wholesome profile. I’d be a little nervous too that he might not be the best long term fit for Luann if he’s into wild thing Tara & vice versa.

Luann is more speechless for Tara’s indifference than for Doug’s behavior.Poor Luann, she still has so much to learn. But Tara is with her and can help. GO, FRIENDSHIP!

luann isn’t in love, she’s infatuated. She doesn’t want lovers, she just wants boy-toys, same as tiffany.

It’s okay to behave immaturely, just don’t do anything that requires mature solutions.

Tara shows that she is not the jealous type. Conversely, Luann expects a guy’s interest (if demonstrated) to be focused soley on her; She can’t fathom that someone might think differently; this view has been a source of friction in previous relationships (that have since gone by the wayside). Tara is responding to Doug’s overtures in a lighthearted manner; it’s just a dating app; no one has met anyone. Online or in the flesh, Luann doesn’t take friendships lightly (to her credit). Tara does, sometimes a little too much like when she doesn’t show up to planned meetings. These two have a lot to learn from each other.

Welcome, Baby Luann, to the semi-grown-up world of Online Dating!

Sheesh! Is Lulu really that naive?!

I think this “sismance” may be over soon.

omg, grow up luann…people date around and are not monogamous after sending a text/message/“bouquet”

Maybe Luann’s best dating site would be taking classes that she actually liked. Then she might meet people who shared her likes. The birds of a feather thing.

Time to play dodge’em.

My man have no 3rd finger