Pickles by Brian Crane for April 12, 2024

Well done, Sir

Earl expects a lot, but doesn’t want to give much in return…

I fold them when needed, i do my best, but there are ones where she wants them to fit in a certain location so, instead of folding them to flatness,she has ones that fold in thirds.

Passing on life’s skills to the new generation.

If you do it wrong on purpose, and she has to do it herself I hope as she shakes out each towel, it wops you across the face.

Good one, Earl!

Be sure the little design is on top.

Random folding makes for a more interesting presentation.

Works so many times.

You’re a sly one Earl!

Hanging with Grampa Earl, the kid will be way too wise before his time.

Teachable moment for Nelson. Grandpa knew what he was doing.

To paraphrase the CSNY song: “Teach your grandchildren well…”

This is my wife and I. Like someone’s going to judge us on how the linen closet towels are folded. UGH!

And this, children, is what we call “weaponized incompetence”. It is behavior that can be observed in the work and recreation parts of life but is most commonly seen in the domestic sphere of housework and childcare as practiced by the male of the species.

So in case we hadn’t been aware of this before, according to Opal there’s only one right way to fold a towel, and if you fold it differently, you’re a moron. Check! (Please!)

Hummmm … does not matter when they become unfolded ;-)

I fold them once on the long axis then roll them up. I’m not wearing them out to a party, so wrinkles and creases don’t bother me.

That’s another tip from your Uncle Earl.

Weaponized incompetence.

This is why I never show this strip to my wife.

Practice of the true creep.

You won’t learn that from any book or schooling

This is pretty much how I got out of making the bed. It wasn’t on purpose, I thought I was really helping.

My mother-in-law used the same trick when she wanted my father-in-law to do something.

I saw this quotation in a relationship video yesterday: “You can ask me to do something or tell me how to do it, but not both.” Seems to apply here.

I think this is a “man” thing that these guys should act “stupid” about things such as laundry, clearing up after a meal, or any household chore. The women fall for it every time and end up with twice the work.

These two will never change. I love this strip but it seems a bit much at times. Haha always trying to come up one another and pull one over on the other.

How the heck can you fold a towel wrong???

That’s just GREAT – teach him how to be LAZY

My wife used to be like this. She eventually got over it and realized if they’re folded, it’s good.

I remember in boot camp how anal they wanted your clothing folded and stowed, their way.

If you want your spouse to help, as long as the work gets done, don’t complain.

One day opal’s gonna catch on earl and then you’d better run for the hills‼️

You’ve heard of ‘learned helplessness’, maybe? Well, this is self-taught helplessness.

Earl is best when he is teaching…………

The things Earl has to resort to keep living in this household!

Yes. Works like a charm.

Old joke. Opal needs to stop fussing.

There’s no pleasing some people?

No good deed goes unpunished?

When you’re in a hole, stop digging?

Assorted wisdom from Duke (of Earl) University.

Life lesson.

In my family it was my dad who insisted that things be done a certain way. Mom just smiled and let him do it himself. It got her out of lot of housework.

Nelson will make someone a lousy husband some day.

He’s not fooling anybody but his wife is from the last generation who thinks he is entitled to get away with this “goldbricking”.

A towel is a towel. Just remind him that he should put them in the closet. He will learn then why we tend to fold towels a certain way. They need to fit the shelf properly. When I moved, I had to change how I fold my towels. It’s not rocket science. Actually, if Earl messes up the towels and leaves them in the living room, let him. It’s how he wants it done for company.

Brilliant.

Wow. The misandry in all these comments. But then again, this is Pickles, where everyone thinks Opal’s behavior, especially towards Earl, is okay.

This is an ESH situation. Earl is the AH teaching Nelson to get out of chores, Opal is the AH demanding everything to be done HER way.

Stick with me kiddo… you might learn a thing or two