Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for June 24, 2021

In light of Rat’s concerns, going forward, he will not be invited to any social gathering.

Rat wants more Zoom meetings ???

Alternate solution: Continue to have social gatherings, but don’t invite Rat to them.

Answers are not the answer. Sweatpants are.

Shaking hands will return to be no more dangerous. I miss my friend’s Mario: his is a strong and “full” handshake. I like it.

I’m looking forward to dance gatherings. I miss it a LOT.

How about elbow bumps instead?

Mr. Grumbine of Zack Hill would agree with you, Rat. You two should meet up.

This is where elbow bumps come in…

I hate people

There’s nothing worse than a person

Men and women I equally despises

I don’t hate children quite so much

They come in smaller sizes

https://youtu.be/I9tZ9yk5u08?t=234

You know , I really hate it when I agree with Rat , but I wouldn’t miss them at all !

Well, who would be around to argue with you about anything?

Rat, I would like to tell you about a magical thing called gloves.

“No man is an island” , Rat!

What are these “social gatherings” people are talking about?

So Rat you hate humans. That is OK because most humans hate rats ;-)

If Rat is a misanthrope, many of us are murophobes!

Have more sects instead.

Bucky Katt has an anti social website, I’m sure Rat would want to join!!

I’ve always thought hand-shaking was a horrible custom. I’m the germaphobe who would run to the bathroom (with an excuse that I had to relieve myself) and vigorously wash my hands! Let’s adopt the Japanese custom of a greeting with a bow! I, for one, will never shake hands again! (Actually, a hug is more acceptable with friends and strangers can get a bow….possibly a fist or elbow bump if touching seems required).

He just doesn’t feel like leaving the house.

Love you, Rat.

I could live without all the hand shaking and hugging of people I hardly know or don’t know at all.

I recommend bowing instead of handshaking.

I’m slightly misanthropic myself, but social gatherings and shaking hands (on a limited basis) is okay with me.

If protests and riots are social gatherings I’m all for it..

my “social life” was completely unaffected last year.

I also don’t like anthropes.

The pandemic created many more introverts. I loved the seclusion and away from the maddening crowd! I’ve always been an introvert but the pandemic cemented it!

I like social gatherings, but some versions are just stupid and annoying. A gathering to do something is nice.

I don’t mind the occasional social gathering, but I would be more than happy to dispense with handshaking, a custom I never liked.

Oh, and that I don’t want you hugging me or putting your hand on any part of my person should go without saying.

Rat and I have too much in common. And yes, my happy days are those I spend at home alone with only a couple of fellow house mates who both wear noise cancelling headphones.

And more masks – full coverage – so I won’t have to see those faces.

I’m with Rat

I haven’t had a cold or the flu in over 18 months. I got laid off but I started my own business and it’s being successful thank you, and I no longer have to obey people who know less than I do. I no longer commute. And I am now more comfortable with cutting out anti-mask and anti-vax types from my life, because I realized they always held ignorant and reprehensible views. I am not going to go backwards.

Another person for whom the pandemic has been paradise.

The Japanese custom of polite bowing works. But outside of Japan we’ll all bow as equals.

I’m with you, Rat. As you’ve said in the past (and I have the fridge magnet to prove it) “People are idiots and I hate them all.”

“We misanthropes have all the answers.” Provided only We are allowed to frame the questions.

Does solve a small problem but destroys society in general….

AAAAAAAAAH

I’m hoping for a law against hugging…

100th Comment!!!

Works for me

Me….

Do lonely misanthropes practice tying their knots?

Even introverts need friends in person, Rat. I’ve done surprising well for someone who lives alone with no neighbors, but I admit I’ve enjoyed hugs from Crazy Cat Cousin and my best friend when hugs became safe. And I’m having my first get-together in person with my nerd tribe on Saturday, and I’m excited about that.

Perfect idea rat, instead we can lay on the couch and watch Netflix

Don’t like hand shaking? Nip it in the bud! Go on the offensive and slap the person across the face! I guarantee they will lose interest in shaking your hand!

I have to admit, hand-shaking is weird now, after 15 months without them.

I’m with Rat and the other misanthropes on this. I’d never shake your hand, Rat….

i like the way rat thinks! (that scares me a little. but just a little.)

I will NEVER shake hands again. I hated it before, and covid hasn’t endeared it to me.

Why does Rat get to have two proposals? Is he a bigamist? Or a Mormon?

If I wasn’t such a sports fan, I’d be jumping on Rat’s bandwagon… mostly because I’m a socially awkward introvert.