For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for November 12, 2022

Ouch, Mike.

Maybe Rlly just wants to meet her outside of the workplace.

Well, Mike, what makes you think Elly has not already done that Froot Loops (product placement by Lynn Johnston) purchase? After all, she buys groceries and she judged Martha entirely from her appearance. Martha never got invited to dinner and Mike dated her for 4 years. What’s the difference? You look at Rhetta here wearing clothes that cover her body and you know Elly loved that, whereas Martha showed a little too much skin for Elly’s tastes.

Uh-oh!

what-a-pig

Was that apropos or appetite

OOPS!

It can hold you back. Personally, and professionally. A difficult lesson for me. Have yet to manage the European fork technique. I’m sure it’s entertaining for the rest of the table. For some reason chopsticks hasn’t been as traumatic.

I’m guessing Elly is hoping Rhetta will teach Mike to stop being such a pig.

God knows, Elly herself has failed at that task.

Patterfoobs eat like debased pigs..

Yeah, I think you can. Manners can be learned, but it’s nice to know if someone already knows them. Speaks to the quality of the family environment. Soooo, Michael, wha’ sa matta’ wit chew!?

Lynn always drew great eating scenes. Great facial action. This is another good one.

That is why I refuse to eat at Buffalo Hot wings!

Dinner together means the guest is sort of stuck, and can be grilled as much as the host sees fit.

Well I guess that answers the inane question from yesterday about asking Ellie if it was ok to bring Rhetta home for supper.

Is Mike’s lack of table manners his fault or his parents fault for not teaching him?

That is so true, my mom told me that a long time ago.

You can certainly tell more about a person by the conversation they would/might make over dinner than merely seeing them when buying cereal.

Don’t forget to raise your pinkie when drinking tea.

Mike has to learn is not eating with ‘the guys’… he has a lot to learn about girls now.

I wonder if that’s the reason she’ll dump him? Or will he dump her???

Very true, Rhetta. I was with my boss at lunch where we were considering a job applicant. Being an Ivy League graduate is associated with simply walking in the door, right? In this case, the young man seasoned his meat before even sampling it. When he excused himself to use the restroom, my boss made a gesture of throat slashing, which was the signal for “Under no circumstances are you to hire this uncouth slob”.

You can. He eats like a pig. Adios boyfriend.

What’s the concern that Michael’s family are going to embarrass him in front of Rhetta? He is doing it right now all by himself!

good one, Rhetta

Wrong question, Mike.

Knowing Mike’s tendency toward oblivion, I doubt that he even understands what Rhetta is saying to him right now.

BaZinga

Sure hope this is a wake up call for Michael. There are plenty of boys his age who are superior to him. Bigger. Stronger. Smarter. Better looking. Much better behaved.

A young man who appears destined for success is one who is likely going to make a lot of money. Any man like that will have an easy time getting girls. When push comes to shove for women, they want a roof over their head, food on the table, and security.

The Pattersons may be Canadian, but they are definitely not “Canadian”.

If Michael enjoys eating like a pig, he can move to America. Unlike the cowardly Canadians, the Americans had a war with England to say enough with good manners and the monarchy. As a result, people have every right to be ill-mannered. As Canada is still dependent on the Crown, they have to have good manners, and as such their reputation of being polite.

Fortunately, Elly already knows how Mike eats. And Rhetta won’t be a problem.

Elly wants to try out the new extra-large magnifying glass she ordered from t he planetarium.