Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

The wedding has made mom all Broody.

1 (1.7%)

$#!+! LUBE! I  KNEW I forgot to pack something! (WELP GOOD NIGHT)

5 (8.3%)

I usually sleep in my boxers, is that okay? (Y-yeah, whatev... er...)

0 (0%)

I would've been fine but now you've got me thinking about it and it's awkward

2 (3.3%)

Well excuse me for not just dropping my pants right in front of you.

4 (6.7%)

Claire in the blue dress!

20 (33.3%)

I know it's supposed to be a casual ceremony, but you should at least put on some pants.

1 (1.7%)

I can't remember how to tie a stupid necktie. (Seriously? Here.)

3 (5%)

Uh- IT'S FINE IT'S PERFECT

14 (23.3%)

Marten! Oh, you look so precious in your suit!

1 (1.7%)

Oh, Jane. I thought I smelled a gonorrhea infection.

0 (0%)

I'm impressed, Vicky. 11 AM and you're not at the bar! Or did you drink all their scotch last night?

1 (1.7%)

Last I heard, Henry and Maurice weren't doing pity-invites.

0 (0%)

Good to see you, you horrid old twat.

3 (5%)

You too, darling. You've lost weight! Is that just from sucking #### all day?

2 (3.3%)

Suddenly my taste in friends makes a lot more sense to me.

3 (5%)

Total Members Voted: 55

[Madmartigan]

Technically, it could be explained away as her becoming increasingly embarrassed at her inability to tie the tie despite her confidence.

(Personally, I don't believe that, but it is a rational explanation for what's going on.)

I honestly don't think she can tie a tie, but figured it wouldn't be that hard.  Needless to say, when you think you can do something and you fail mightily, you get massively flustered.  I turn beet red when it happens to me.

[bhtooefr]

The other thing is, happy characters (or at least their relationships) tend to be put on a bus, unless they're needed to advance another plot line, or to play something for laughs (i.e., dancing while only wearing a puce condom). A happy relationship with nothing dramatic happening isn't that INTERESTING once it starts. That's probably a lot of why we don't see much of, say, Steve and Cossette - there's nothing interesting (read: dramatic or funny) happening in their relationship now. But, we saw them in the lake house scene because they were both needed to advance Claire's character in a funny way.

QC is a large enough comic by now that it wouldn't have to end just because Marten and Claire got a "happily ever after" ending, though. There's still a lot of plot lines there - Dora and Tai, Faye and Angus (which isn't completely resolved), Veronica, Marigold and Dale, Sven has a lot of plot development left, Hannelore has a TON of plot development left (and it's been damn near stated that she wants to have a functional romantic and sexual relationship with someone, which would take a whole lot of time to resolve). Plus, even with a "happily ever after" ending for a hypothetical romantic relationship between Marten and Claire, there's still interesting dynamics that each of those characters could have in the story (I mean, the classic dynamic in the comic is the Marten and Faye dynamic, even when it's just platonic). Not to mention, QC could go to gag-a-day Pintsize comics and still maintain a huge reader base. (That said, I highly doubt Marten and Claire will even enter a romantic relationship, let alone have a happily ever after ending. Just saying that them having such an ending wouldn't end the comic.)

And, I should've said, I don't believe that's the FULL reason her face turned beet red.

[Welu]

I never thought part if Claire's awkward fumbling could have been from remembering tying ties on herself but it's an interesting idea.

[ankhtahr]

I'm seriously surprised nobody referenced the tie knotting manual which is being referenced by the title:

(click to show/hide)

Whatever. I guess all this tie stuff will become more relevant to me in a few months. Everyone has to wear tie and suit at the formal graduation ceremony at German "Gymnasium"s.

And I really think Claire becomes even cuter than she normally is when she blushes. But I'd guess that in this moment it's only due to the embarrassment of failing. (mind, the blushing, not the cuteness)

[Valdís]

for herself (himself?  I'm not sure which gender to use in this context)

Herself. It wasn't that part which changed.

[TimO]

I don't see any relationship's "Happy Ever After" causing the end of a comic (or story), since there are so many ways to torpedo a relationship, however happy it may appear to be.   That's true in real life, and even more so in fiction where there are any number of possible unusual disruptions that can be introduced that would be too unlikely in reality.  In fact, letting a "Happy Ever After" briefly happen before wading in with something to either utterly fubar things, or more subtly cause issues, seems like a perfectly normal way to progress things in fiction.

[bhtooefr]

And, that's been done a couple times in QC.

Steve and Ellen, and Marten and Dora come to mind.

[Zebediah]

I don't see any relationship's "Happy Ever After" causing the end of a comic (or story), since there are so many ways to torpedo a relationship, however happy it may appear to be.   That's true in real life, and even more so in fiction where there are any number of possible unusual disruptions that can be introduced that would be too unlikely in reality.  In fact, letting a "Happy Ever After" briefly happen before wading in with something to either utterly fubar things, or more subtly cause issues, seems like a perfectly normal way to progress things in fiction.

Well, yes, that's more or less what I was getting at when I said "beware a happy ending that comes too soon." In a novel, if the hero and heroine are happy 4/5 of the way through, I start to expect it to end badly. Since QC is open-ended, Jeph could have Marten and Claire be happy for a while - but only for a while. Either QC outlasts the relationship, or the relationship outlasts QC.

[snubnose]

Seriously though, there's a reason why "happily ever after" comes at the end of a story. I've learned to beware a happy ending that comes too soon - you're just being set up for a tragedy. So we have a choice: Claire and Marten live happily ever after, and QC ends; or they don't, and QC continues to document Marten's tragic love life.

Uh....

Oh yeah, thats why they killed off Lily and Marshall after they married on "How I met your mother" !

And the Prince Valiant story ended after he married Aleta.

Oh wait, neither of these things happened. So there might actually be life after marriage ! Who would have guessed.

I dont see any problem with Marten getting into a stable relationship. He was in one for hundreds of comics with Dora.

Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Yeah, I dont think so.

[Arancaytar]

Is it called shipping if the author is doing it? Because that's what this is.

Note (in the second-to-last panel particularly) that while Claire's blushing like crazy, Marten's cheeks are also gaining a little color. HandsOnApproach (tvtropes warning)?

[Valdís]

Note (in the second-to-last panel particularly) that while Claire's blushing like crazy, Marten's cheeks are also gaining a little color.

I actually overlooked that earlier. I guess Claire's intense blushing tendencies made it seem relatively non-blushing!

[Near Lurker]

I'm still trying to decide whether Claire is brainwarped or just frustrated with the tie.  I think I'm hearing from both sides, each of whom I feel seem to think everyone's read it the same way.  Maybe that should be a poll?

And there is no "happily ever after."

[judemorrigan]

Oh yeah, thats why they killed off Lily and Marshall after they married on "How I met your mother" !

And yet you'll note how that show seems bound and determined to avoid introducing the mother until the very end.  Despite the title, I know there's a nontrivial portion of the fanbase who would be happy enough to stretch the title a bit, adding in some [and how we fell in love with each other] to it.  Protagonist relationships and side character relationships are a bit different.

[Thrudd]

With respect to the Tie tying, two things.

1) Her blush or heat of frustration is reflected in Martins face. Please note that his facial colour is more a reflection than a source.

2) There is an even simpler answer/explanation - Twin Brother - Has everyone already forgotten Mr Groper .... er .... Mr Hydrodynamics? *facepalm*

[Skewbrow]

Today's comic reminds of a skit from 20+ years ago. A couple was rushing to their wedding but the groom had problems with his tie. The only person capable of helping him was an undertaker who had plenty of experience. The catch was that for the undertaker to get it right from a perspective he was familiar with the groom would have to lie on his back.

But seriously, you young dudes. It is not that difficult to make something passable. Practice - don't just keep that one tie unknotted in your closet. You know, the one your mother tied the knot for you for your high school graduation party.

[sitnspin]

As a frequent wearer of ties, I can say it is far easier to tie your own than to tie someone else's. You learn to do it from one angle and reversing the perspective can be quite confusing.


Thrudd, it has long been established and oft repeated, they are NOT twins.

[jesslc]

Presumably the implication is that Claire has tied ties previously for herself, but now having to tie one for someone else, and from the wrong perspective, is what's confused her.  I take that red face as relating to frustration rather than embarrassment at being too close to Marten.

That's is exactly the way I read it. She laughs at Marten in the first part of the strip when he says he can't remember how to tie a tie - and then when she can't get it right, she's frustrated and a bit embarrassed.

I used to have to tie a tie when at high school and I could never tie one on someone else (the wrong perspective just totally messed me up). If a friend did ask me to help with their tie, I would tie it while wearing it myself, loosen it enough to slip it over my head and then give it to them. So I think Claire's frustration is perfectly plausible. I think it fits with her character too (doesn't like to make mistakes).

Personally I haven't seen any thing beyond friendship between Claire and Marten in the comic. Whenever Claire has been attracted to someone (Steve, Henry) it's been very very obvious - she can't seem to control her blush and/or what she says... Based on those instances I reckon if she was attracted to Marten, it would be way more obvious. Also Claire seems to get all awkward around people she finds attractive, so surely she wouldn't be so comfortable chatting with Marten or just hanging out if she was interested in him romantically. The comment she makes in panel 4 of 2389 confirms it for me (no blush or awkwardness there).

...but hey I'm not Jeph so I may well be proved wrong tomorrow. 


On a completely different note - the wedding will be any time now. Who's betting on Veronica meeting someone at the reception and hitting it off? Perhaps one of Maurice's friends or cousins? I think that would be hilarious! And also very much in character for her - she doesn't really seem like the type to take it slow, not to mention she's been feeling lonely and broody lately.

(It's not shipping if Marten said it first, right?)

[Xader]

Whoa, Jeph...Whoa.

That came dangerously close to being a cheesy rom-com moment....

[Is it cold in here?]

Everyone has to wear tie and suit at the formal graduation ceremony at German "Gymnasium"s.

If you're into etymology then wearing a suit and tie at a Gymnasium is funny.

Marten, it's supposed to be pretty casual! You can skip the tie.

In my native subculture at least, correcting a man's clothing is something expected of a wife.

Claire's memories of putting on neckties must be unpleasant.

A crush on Marten would be really bad for her, so it will probably happen.

[Method of Madness]

In my native subculture at least, correcting a man's clothing is something expected of a wife.

Which native subculture is that, if I may ask?

[Emperor Norton]

But seriously, you young dudes. It is not that difficult to make something passable. Practice - don't just keep that one tie unknotted in your closet. You know, the one your mother tied the knot for you for your high school graduation party.

I'm not that young, but I always have to look up how to tie a tie when I need one. I work from home, I don't do church, and I don't do social events.

But sure, let me practice a skill I will use once or twice a year when someone gets married or dies, rather than spend that time learning something relevant or just doing something fun.

This year was an exception, as I went on a cruise and wore formal wear to the dinners (Though honestly, you can manage formal without ties nowadays, the times change, my dad almost never wears them and he goes to church and wears suits constantly). I got by just fine with a little diagram and having to retie it a few extra times when I had screwed up. Actually learning how to do it to a degree beyond that level is just really pointless to my lifestyle.

[Is it cold in here?]

West Virginia and Louisiana, and I gather it's not uncommon in US history.

[Karilyn]

Poor girl is head over heels for Marten, I suspect. (Hell, she might've been attracted to him quite early on, and that's why she came out to him.)

I was under the impression at the time that she wanted to kiss him when she was sitting on the dock with him.  But decided to do (the risk-adverse thing) and tell him that she was trans first.  Which is a really smart idea, considering the sheer volume of transsexuals murdered for getting into relationships with guys who don't know they are trans.  It doesn't hurt to practice cautionary discretion to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Murder is not okay.   

See, this is what I like about Martin.  He's not the sort of person to murder a girl outta rage because she has a penis.  And that is the most important milestone for measuring morality by.

[Ruhtrax]

Ah .. The Tie ...
Haven't retie mine for a year now ...
I think I should spend my day doing it...

[Barmymoo]

(Though honestly, you can manage formal without ties nowadays, the times change, my dad almost never wears them and he goes to church and wears suits constantly)

This really depends where you are, and what you mean by "formal". For me, formal dress for men involves bow ties, never mind ties. Ties are required at the twice-weekly formal dinners and a fair few people wear them to lectures in my faculty (but they are aspiring lawyers so that may not be a representative sample). I can't even imagine anyone turning up to a job interview not wearing a tie.

[Redball]

This really depends where you are, and what you mean by "formal". For me, formal dress for men involves bow ties, never mind ties. Ties are required at the twice-weekly formal dinners and a fair few people wear them to lectures in my faculty (but they are aspiring lawyers so that may not be a representative sample). I can't even imagine anyone turning up to a job interview not wearing a tie.

If I go to the UK and hire you as my driver, I shall wear a tie, and a suit, and sit in the back seat.

[ysth]

Odds of Claire passing out at some point, from hypothermia or otherwise?

https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/304533572100976641

[riccostar]

I do wish I had that problem Marten...

[Method of Madness]

If I go to the UK and hire you as my driver, I shall wear a tie, and a suit, and sit in the back seat.

I'm not sure where that came from.

[Arancaytar]

I was under the impression at the time that she wanted to kiss him when she was sitting on the dock with him.  But decided to do (the risk-adverse thing) and tell him that she was trans first.  Which is a really smart idea, considering the sheer volume of transsexuals murdered for getting into relationships with guys who don't know they are trans.  It doesn't hurt to practice cautionary discretion to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Murder is not okay.   

See, this is what I like about Martin.  He's not the sort of person to murder a girl outta rage because she has a penis.  And that is the most important milestone for measuring morality by.

I see your point, but if she hadn't already trusted Marten to not be an ass, she would have waited to tell him under different circumstances if at all. Violent transphobes are dangerous regardless of relationship status...

[Emperor Norton]

I can't even imagine anyone turning up to a job interview not wearing a tie.

One would hope I'm not going to job interviews enough times to need to know how to tie a tie either.

It does depend on the area you live in, my point was that for a lot of people its a pointless skill to learn, so there is no reason to act like its something everyone should know.

[Madmartigan]

Seriously though, there's a reason why "happily ever after" comes at the end of a story. I've learned to beware a happy ending that comes too soon - you're just being set up for a tragedy. So we have a choice: Claire and Marten live happily ever after, and QC ends; or they don't, and QC continues to document Marten's tragic love life.

Uh....

Oh yeah, thats why they killed off Lily and Marshall after they married on "How I met your mother" !

And the Prince Valiant story ended after he married Aleta.

Oh wait, neither of these things happened. So there might actually be life after marriage ! Who would have guessed.

I dont see any problem with Marten getting into a stable relationship. He was in one for hundreds of comics with Dora.

Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Yeah, I dont think so.

Ugh.  That show has been ruined for coming on 3 seasons.  It's almost unwatchable some weeks.  And yet it got another season.

In other news.

Now I know why shipping here was banned.  At least forced-shipping.  The ridiculousness of it becomes nauseating fast.


I don't think Claire told Marten her secret because she crushes on him.  I tend to think that's a silly reason to out such a huge secret.  The reason she outed herself to him is because she's seen him around the other interns and his friends enough to know he's a decent enough guy not to make a big deal about it and blab.  I don't see how anyone can tie anything romantic into it at all.

Or romantic about the tie thing either...It's only intimiate if the two are into each other.  Then again, I've had to have my brother tie my tie for me before.  But then, I only know one way and he wanted the groom's ties in a specific way for his wedding.

[Redball]

If I go to the UK and hire you as my driver, I shall wear a tie, and a suit, and sit in the back seat.

I'm not sure where that came from.

A running tease with Barmymoo, who has a better sense of formal wear than many of us.

[pwhodges]

Now I know why shipping here was banned.

Jeph said;

Cristi said.

 

[Madmartigan]

Now I know why shipping here was banned.

Jeph said;

Cristi said.

 

lulz at the Turk/JD comment.  The most bromantic brocouple ever.

[Barmymoo]

If I go to the UK and hire you as my driver, I shall wear a tie, and a suit, and sit in the back seat.

Haha no, then I'd have to wear a stupid cap and not speak to you.

I find it quite funny that in the UK, at least, black and white tie dress codes are basically defined by what Oxbridge students wear to balls. According to certain etiquette codes anyway.

[MillionDollar Belt Sander]

(Though honestly, you can manage formal without ties nowadays, the times change, my dad almost never wears them and he goes to church and wears suits constantly)

This really depends where you are, and what you mean by "formal". For me, formal dress for men involves bow ties, never mind ties. Ties are required at the twice-weekly formal dinners and a fair few people wear them to lectures in my faculty (but they are aspiring lawyers so that may not be a representative sample). I can't even imagine anyone turning up to a job interview not wearing a tie.

Wear a tie to a welding-job interview and you'll be laughed out of the building.   

[Method of Madness]

If I go to the UK and hire you as my driver, I shall wear a tie, and a suit, and sit in the back seat.

Haha no, then I'd have to wear a stupid cap and not speak to you.

I find it quite funny that in the UK, at least, black and white tie dress codes are basically defined by what Oxbridge students wear to balls. According to certain etiquette codes anyway.

I thought they wore robes. Unless I'm thinking of Hogwarts.

[Akima]

I can't even imagine any man turning up to a job interview for a white-collar job not wearing a tie.

Fixed that for you.   I have never worn a tie to a job interview.

Everyone has to wear tie and suit at the formal graduation ceremony at German "Gymnasium"s.

Even the girls? I've always thought that ties were perhaps the only item of clothing where men's conventional wardrobe was stupider than women's

[Emperor Norton]

Wear a tie to a welding-job interview and you'll be laughed out of the building.   

Really, job interview attire has a lot to do with finding the culture of the company and what the job you are applying for IS.

Even in "white collar" there are job interviews where a suit/tie would be overdoing it. (I work in internet marketing for a program that is marketed primarily to people in their teens/early twenties. I wore a blue dress shirt and khaki slacks when I interviewed. Dressing suit and tie would have been overkill)

[Blood-Tree]

I dunno guys, I kinda like wearing a tie sometimes.

I used to find them annoying when I was at school, but these days I think they can look good with a suit.

[MillionDollar Belt Sander]

In my world a suit is what you wear to a funeral or to the bank to negotiate a loan. 

Dress-shirt and nice slacks/pants for 'formal office' stuff.

Rest of the time,  expendable T-shirts and sorry-pants.  (as in "ain't those the most sorry looking pants you've ever seen?   pass 'im the duct tape so he don't lose a leg.")

[cesariojpn]

I've never stayed in a hotel where there was an actual closet. Just a clothes rack near the door.

You poor thing. You should try to find hotels that were built before 1980.

[Ruhtrax]

I've never stayed in a hotel where there was an actual closet. Just a clothes rack near the door.

You poor thing. You should try to find hotels that were built before 1980.

or spend a tad bit more money...

[Pilchard123]

How come I didn't remember that Discworld reference? >_< I have failed nerds the world over with my lack of dedication!

Also...*looks over comic*...*yoink!*

Perhaps this should go in the confessions thread, but...what reference?

[Merdrak]

I don't think Claire told Marten her secret because she crushes on him.  I tend to think that's a silly reason to out such a huge secret.  The reason she outed herself to him is because she's seen him around the other interns and his friends enough to know he's a decent enough guy not to make a big deal about it and blab.  I don't see how anyone can tie anything romantic into it at all.

Or romantic about the tie thing either...It's only intimiate if the two are into each other.  Then again, I've had to have my brother tie my tie for me before.  But then, I only know one way and he wanted the groom's ties in a specific way for his wedding.

I could see Claire becoming attracted to Marten after she told him, unintentionally.  It is a big trust issue, after all, so I could see how that could lay groundwork for romantic feelings.   

Just tossing ideas into the wind, and hoping they don't frisbee back at meh face.   But still... I wonder how this arc turns out?

[jwhouk]

Now I know why shipping here was banned.

Jeph said;

Cristi said.

 

Dear God, that is the BEST twitter exchange I've seen in a LONG time.

[de_la_Nae]

How come I didn't remember that Discworld reference? >_< I have failed nerds the world over with my lack of dedication!

Also...*looks over comic*...*yoink!*

Perhaps this should go in the confessions thread, but...what reference?

In the comic with Hannelore passing out that was linked. "Millennium Hand and Shrimp" is a catchphrase of one of the recurring characters, essentially.

[ankhtahr]

Everyone has to wear tie and suit at the formal graduation ceremony at German "Gymnasium"s.

Even the girls? I've always thought that ties were perhaps the only item of clothing where men's conventional wardrobe was stupider than women's

Girls usually wear long dresses to the ceremony. They are more free in their choice of clothing.

If you're into etymology then wearing a suit and tie at a Gymnasium is funny.

Damn, now you got me thinking about the name of our schools. Damnit, take these pictures out of my mind!

To everyone wondering what I'm talking about, a German Gymnasium is in a way the equivalent of a high school.

See here.

[WAYF]

How come I didn't remember that Discworld reference? >_< I have failed nerds the world over with my lack of dedication!

Also...*looks over comic*...*yoink!*

Perhaps this should go in the confessions thread, but...what reference?

Don't worry Pilchard, there are a lot of Discworld books to go through. I'm working my way through them, albeit more slowly than Sir Terry is writing them. I don't really understand it either.
*looks it up*

Okay, apparently it also doubles as half a reference to They Might Be Giants, which makes it about the coolest reference ever. (Sir Terry apparently took inspiration from a song of theirs called "Particle Man" which mentioned a "millenium hand".)

Oh, and the book you're looking for is "Reaper Man".