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Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2011, 11:54

Title: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2011, 11:54
And here we go - thought I'd start it out with a fun poll.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: leahneedsanap on 13 Feb 2011, 11:59
I only get Valentines for my friends who get excited about getting Valentines, and Hanners seems like the type to think it was nice.

Regardless, no one wants one of Pintsize's homemade valentines.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 13 Feb 2011, 12:00
I think we all know how this one is going to go.  :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2011, 12:04
Ah, but will it be a shutout?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 13 Feb 2011, 13:05
Hold on, is this who would get the most or who am I most creepily attracted to as the answers are currently not stacking up to probability.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: StevenC on 13 Feb 2011, 14:01
No option for Marygold? She'd just need to mention that she's a girl on WoW and they'd need a truck to deliver her valentine's cards.  :wink:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: horsefish on 13 Feb 2011, 14:24
Hold on, is this who would get the most or who am I most creepily attracted to as the answers are currently not stacking up to probability.

I read is as who would actually get the most in-universe.  That's why I voted Raven, but I may have to think on that.  Looking at the votes so far, I think a few are going with your second option. 

No option for Marygold? She'd just need to mention that she's a girl on WoW and they'd need a truck to deliver her valentine's cards.  :wink:

I totally agree that Marigold belongs in the poll.  An oversight, perhaps?

BTW, does anyone else have a problem with the box you type posts in acting all weird and jumping around once your post has more lines than fit in the box?  I can't seem to make it stay scrolled all the way to the bottom.  I've been wanting to ask about this, but couldn't figure out what topic to post it in....  could it be a browser setting? :| :?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Emperor Norton on 13 Feb 2011, 14:41
In universe was what I was thinking. Which... the person in #1 right now doesn't seem like she would get the most in universe really. Maybe if her dad sent her a spaceship full of robobfs all bearing Valentines. I chose Veronica because... she has had more time to build up a good amount of contacts who would possibly want to send her one. Raven would definitely be my second choice though
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2011, 15:13
Marigold is in the poll. Look down past our "fan favorite".
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 13 Feb 2011, 15:14
My preference was for Winifred the Winsome and Wistful Waffle Maker.  Maybe I won't have to cook....
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kugai on 13 Feb 2011, 16:13
Veronica Reed
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 13 Feb 2011, 17:36
Dang, I missed the "in universe", but I can't change my answer...

...so when you add them up, switch one vote from Hannelore to Raven. 

Of course, Sven may wind up with more heart-shaped offers than any of them...


Hey, it's (american) civil war week!  (1861 - 1865)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: horsefish on 13 Feb 2011, 18:29
No option for Marygold? She'd just need to mention that she's a girl on WoW and they'd need a truck to deliver her valentine's cards.  :wink:

I totally agree that Marigold belongs in the poll.  An oversight, perhaps?

Marigold is in the poll. Look down past our "fan favorite".

Yes. an oversight.  MINE :oops:

i am so observant of course i knew it was there hurr hurr
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 13 Feb 2011, 18:53
Raven probably would get the most from people she knows personally, but Veronica probably still gets fan mail.

I think to make it fair, she should only get to count those addressed to Veronica REED.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 13 Feb 2011, 19:46
Comics up, and I think we've had a time skip. Which means Dora will probably have a new hairstyle tomorrow. :-P
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 13 Feb 2011, 19:50
If you're going to stare that long and obviously, at least introduce yourself and try looking above the neckline at least part of the time.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CEOIII on 13 Feb 2011, 20:02
No Tai in the poll = EPIC FAIL.

As for the comic: OW. This is one of the reasons I keep my glasses instead of wearing contacts: I can stare as long as I want simply by taking them off as pretending to clean them in the direction of the woman I wish to look at.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: LoveJaneAusten on 13 Feb 2011, 20:15
Comics up, and I think we've had a time skip.

It's about time, too. I'm sure Jeph is as sick of exploring Marten's anguish as the rest of us, and is anxious to show a different side of him, to say nothing of the other characters. It would be refreshing to see some real character growth in the coming strips.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2011, 20:18
...It's like the last 1,860 strips didn't even happen, almost.

And I felt that slap all the way over here in Wisconsin.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Delator on 13 Feb 2011, 20:20
Comic!

Time jump!

Also...what's with the weak beer Steve?  :-P


Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Wraith11B on 13 Feb 2011, 20:40
Maybe Jeph's trying to see how to do clear beverages?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Napoleon_Blownapart on 13 Feb 2011, 20:47
Ok Jeph, it's time to stop making Marten the buttmonkey all the goddamn time. Guys practically have a free license to stare at girls in bars. That's one of the many functions of a bar. Girls don't hit guys for staring at them in bars anymore, if they ever did at all. One small reason is that it's felony assault.

For once Jeph, just for once, please recognize that when you make Marten engage in these antics, they are not so heinous that he deserves frigging abuse.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: bicostp on 13 Feb 2011, 21:02
Calm down Napoleon, it's just a trope.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: iduguphergrave on 13 Feb 2011, 21:03
I always knew Marty was an ass man.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Napoleon_Blownapart on 13 Feb 2011, 21:15
Calm down Napoleon, it's just a trope.

I feel it belongs squarely in the discredited trope category.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: JackFaerie on 13 Feb 2011, 21:32
Guys practically have a free license to stare at girls in bars. That's one of the many functions of a bar. Girls don't hit guys for staring at them in bars anymore, if they ever did at all.

Really? Really? Lemme tell you, when I go to my neighborhood bar scandalously clad in in jeans and a t-shirt, it's because I want to get out of my house and have a beer or hang out with friends. It certainly is NOT to give guys an opportunity to longingly stare at my ass, and the fact that you apparently find this to be something you are entitled to do just because a woman is in a public place where there is alcohol makes me feel really, really creeped out. I would probably not slap you for it but good god would that make me feel gross and angry.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 13 Feb 2011, 21:33
(moderator)
If I were Jeph (not even close!) I would feel obliged to take criticism in stride, but I'd be nettled if it took the form of telling me what to do.

I can't find a written rule about it offhand though.
(/moderator)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Coffee_Kaioken on 13 Feb 2011, 21:33
Quote
Really? Really? Lemme tell you, when I go to my neighborhood bar scandalously clad in in jeans and a t-shirt, it's because I want to get out of my house and have a beer or hang out with friends. It certainly is NOT to give guys an opportunity to longingly stare at my ass, and the fact that you apparently find this to be something you are entitled to do just because a woman is in a public place where there is alcohol makes me feel really, really creeped out. I would probably not slap you for it but good god would that make me feel gross and angry.

People probably stare/ogle you when you're not looking, and I bet you do the same to other guys.

(moderator)
If I were Jeph (not even close!) I would feel obliged to take criticism in stride, but I'd be nettled if it took the form of telling me what to do.

I can't find a written rule about it offhand though.
(/moderator)

But you'd get no warning, a swift "uahdgasdgsdh" and locking of the thread would coup-de-whatever you in the face.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Blackjoker on 13 Feb 2011, 21:36
I think part of the problem might be Marten TALKING about the staring when near one of the women in question.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: horsefish on 13 Feb 2011, 21:39
I love the callback to QC#3 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3) - right down to the purple shirt.  And the woman in panel 1 vaguely resembling Faye.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2011, 21:46
I love the callback to QC#3 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3) - right down to the purple shirt.  And the woman in panel 1 vaguely resembling Faye.

Actually, try strip #1601 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1601).

And our slapper girl looks like a combination of Faye and Cosette.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: horsefish on 13 Feb 2011, 21:55
Thanks, I was looking for that... you beat me to it.  DAMN YOU :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Rusty on 13 Feb 2011, 22:15
ahhh Marty, never get caught staring!




and thank you to my GF sitting here, telling me that "You look like the brown haired dude- get a haircut." Its my hair!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Napoleon_Blownapart on 13 Feb 2011, 22:23
Guys practically have a free license to stare at girls in bars. That's one of the many functions of a bar. Girls don't hit guys for staring at them in bars anymore, if they ever did at all.

Really? Really? Lemme tell you, when I go to my neighborhood bar scandalously clad in in jeans and a t-shirt, it's because I want to get out of my house and have a beer or hang out with friends. It certainly is NOT to give guys an opportunity to longingly stare at my ass, and the fact that you apparently find this to be something you are entitled to do just because a woman is in a public place where there is alcohol makes me feel really, really creeped out. I would probably not slap you for it but good god would that make me feel gross and angry.

As a guy, I would not interfere with you having a beer and hanging out with your friends. I wouldn't get in your space or hit on you. I don't like trying to make superficial connections with strangers in bars. But I damn well have a right to silently check you out. Hell, I have a right to check you out in public too. When you step out of your door into the wide world every day, you forfeit the right to not be looked at. Nobody has the right to harass you or invade your space. But unless you choose to wear a burka, anyone has the right to just look - so long as that's all they do.

If you feel creeped out by guys who do this, then I suggest you grow a thicker skin.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: JackFaerie on 13 Feb 2011, 22:32

People probably stare/ogle you when you're not looking, and I bet you do the same to other guys.

But a casual look/checking out isn't what we're talking about here. We're talking about a guy saying he feels he has full license to lock in and stare even when it obviously isn't well received by the girl, and that he feels that letching on girls (whatever the reason they happen to be there) is part of the function of a bar and something he's apparently entitled to.

P.S. OP, if that isn't what you meant, perhaps you'd have done better not to align yourself with Marten, cause--harmless and well-meaning as Marten is, that's what he was doing in that comic. He didn't just look, he glued his eyes to her ass and stared, for a while, even as she noticed and was giving him the stinkeye.  (Again, I don't think that deserves a slap, but insisting "I can too bltatantly stare at your ass even if it makes you uncomfortable and that's what you get for going out in public"--that gets closer to it.)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: musicalsoul on 13 Feb 2011, 22:35
Guys practically have a free license to stare at girls in bars. That's one of the many functions of a bar. Girls don't hit guys for staring at them in bars anymore, if they ever did at all.

Really? Really? Lemme tell you, when I go to my neighborhood bar scandalously clad in in jeans and a t-shirt, it's because I want to get out of my house and have a beer or hang out with friends. It certainly is NOT to give guys an opportunity to longingly stare at my ass, and the fact that you apparently find this to be something you are entitled to do just because a woman is in a public place where there is alcohol makes me feel really, really creeped out. I would probably not slap you for it but good god would that make me feel gross and angry.

As a guy, I would not interfere with you having a beer and hanging out with your friends. I wouldn't get in your space or hit on you. I don't like trying to make superficial connections with strangers in bars. But I damn well have a right to silently check you out. Hell, I have a right to check you out in public too. When you step out of your door into the wide world every day, you forfeit the right to not be looked at. Nobody has the right to harass you or invade your space. But unless you choose to wear a burka, anyone has the right to just look - so long as that's all they do.

If you feel creeped out by guys who do this, then I suggest you grow a thicker skin.

I just want to say that there is a difference between silently checking a woman out and staring at her. Being checked out is nice, even flattering. Being STARED at can be creepy. It all depends on the the situation and how intently the person is staring at you.

But honestly, in either situation, I wouldn't be likely to slap someone. If they were creeping me out, I'd move to a different part of the bar.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: someone1074 on 13 Feb 2011, 22:38
Well...he has a right to look insofar as it's not illegal...but that doesn't make it okay by any means.

On the other hand, some courts have held that deep and uninterrupted staring well after an individual has shown their disapproval can constitute sexual harassment. It's far from the norm, but it has happened. So you might not have a right to that after all.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Napoleon_Blownapart on 13 Feb 2011, 22:50
Guys practically have a free license to stare at girls in bars. That's one of the many functions of a bar. Girls don't hit guys for staring at them in bars anymore, if they ever did at all.

Really? Really? Lemme tell you, when I go to my neighborhood bar scandalously clad in in jeans and a t-shirt, it's because I want to get out of my house and have a beer or hang out with friends. It certainly is NOT to give guys an opportunity to longingly stare at my ass, and the fact that you apparently find this to be something you are entitled to do just because a woman is in a public place where there is alcohol makes me feel really, really creeped out. I would probably not slap you for it but good god would that make me feel gross and angry.

As a guy, I would not interfere with you having a beer and hanging out with your friends. I wouldn't get in your space or hit on you. I don't like trying to make superficial connections with strangers in bars. But I damn well have a right to silently check you out. Hell, I have a right to check you out in public too. When you step out of your door into the wide world every day, you forfeit the right to not be looked at. Nobody has the right to harass you or invade your space. But unless you choose to wear a burka, anyone has the right to just look - so long as that's all they do.

If you feel creeped out by guys who do this, then I suggest you grow a thicker skin.

I just want to say that there is a difference between silently checking a woman out and staring at her. Being checked out is nice, even flattering. Being STARED at can be creepy. It all depends on the the situation and how intently the person is staring at you.

But honestly, in either situation, I wouldn't be likely to slap someone. If they were creeping me out, I'd move to a different part of the bar.

Of course it depends on how long you look at someone and if they make their displeasure known, then the right thing do is to stop looking at them.

Well...he has a right to look insofar as it's not illegal...but that doesn't make it okay by any means.

On the other hand, some courts have held that deep and uninterrupted staring well after an individual has shown their disapproval can constitute sexual harassment. It's far from the norm, but it has happened. So you might not have a right to that after all.

Yes it's okay to look. It's a strong genetic imperative in men to do so. I also agree long uninterrupted staring is taking it too far - I never advocated that. Hell all Marten did was look at the girl and get a little lost. For a woman to want it to stop is fine and the man should oblige. But denying a person the right to do it in the first place is also a denial of the right to think those thoughts about the woman. To me, that's like trying to institute thoughtcrime.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 13 Feb 2011, 23:01
Guys practically have a free license to stare at girls in bars. That's one of the many functions of a bar. Girls don't hit guys for staring at them in bars anymore, if they ever did at all.
Yeah, because men are entitled to set the rules, award themselves "licenses", and decide what the functions of public spaces are supposed to be. What women might want doesn't come into it, right? No, I wouldn't hit a man who stared at me (not least because starting fights, especially with potentially-drunk guys, is dangerous), but men with attitudes like this are a big part of the reason I don't go unaccompanied to bars at all.

But unless you choose to wear a burka, anyone has the right to just look - so long as that's all they do. If you feel creeped out by guys who do this, then I suggest you grow a thicker skin.
If we don't want to be stared at we should wear a burka? :psyduck:  I'll just let that speak for itself I think, and note the standard line that if women don't like the way men behave, there is something wrong with us.

As for the comic... It's sort of a funny shout-out to the early days of QC, and the hand-print is nicely drawn...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: morrigan on 13 Feb 2011, 23:14
I'll take the middle ground in this whole debate and say that while an individual openly staring at another is creepy, it never warrants a slap in the face. It's an unacceptable, childish response. Reverse the genders and suddenly it's abuse and cause for arrest.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 13 Feb 2011, 23:25
I'll take the middle ground in this whole debate and say that while an individual openly staring at another is creepy, it never warrants a slap in the face. It's an unacceptable, childish response. Reverse the genders and suddenly it's abuse and cause for arrest.

QFT.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Skewbrow on 13 Feb 2011, 23:26
"You want to stare at my ass? May be I let you stare at my ass? May be I slap you in the face?"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: musicalsoul on 13 Feb 2011, 23:48
I'll take the middle ground in this whole debate and say that while an individual openly staring at another is creepy, it never warrants a slap in the face. It's an unacceptable, childish response. Reverse the genders and suddenly it's abuse and cause for arrest.

I completely agree with you.

Like I said, if a guy who just staring at me really intently for a long amount of time, I'd get up and go to different area of the bar, or leave. There's never a really good excuse to just slap someone. Well... unless he actually assaults you, maybe then. But that's a completely different scenario.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 14 Feb 2011, 00:10
I also would like to point out at this time that QC is a comic, and a work of fiction, and remind everyone that actions and responses that are funny/satisfying/gratifying/what-have-you in fiction are not necesarily appropriate for real-life situations.







I would also like to point out that the PonyLeaks Discussion & Sex Furnace is an internet forum and would ask everyone to please excuse the spelling atrocities in this post.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 14 Feb 2011, 00:14
Even Steve, not the world's most sensitive guy, thought Marten had been staring too long.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 14 Feb 2011, 00:20

Yes it's okay to look. It's a strong genetic imperative in men to do so.

The thing is, society has rules over and above genetic urges to control and limit them - they are what distinguish us from animals.

(And that much quoting was unnecessary, and bad style; when you're in that bar, do you repeat everything that's been said before you add to it?)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 00:22
The succeeding is written without looking at previous comments, to spare you from a mountain of responses:

I never got the "Look at me!"/"Don't look at me!" dichotomy of how women present themselves and dress in public (yes, I get the various aspects of it and the superficial logic of it, but it's faulty). To my knowledge, the point of going to a bar, alone or with a 'wing (wo)man', is to meet members of the opposite sex. If that girl wasn't expecting to be looked at, why was she there?


Also, Hannelore obviously. She's the ultimate untouchable.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Napoleon_Blownapart on 14 Feb 2011, 00:32
Yeah, because men are entitled to set the rules, award themselves "licenses", and decide what the functions of public spaces are supposed to be.

Inside their own head, a man or a woman is absolute master of themselves and has the license to enjoy that freedom.

What women might want doesn't come into it, right?

What women might want is absolutely as important as what men want. If a woman wants to check a man out in a bar or in public, she has the freedom to do so. Hell, a woman can even create a strawman argument against mine like you just did and try to defeat that instead of the argument I'm putting forth.

If we don't want to be stared at we should wear a burka? :psyduck: 

If you don't want to be looked at, how do you plan on enforcing men not looking at you? Are you going to take away person's right to look at what they please in public?  :roll:

I'll just let that speak for itself I think, and note the standard line that if women don't like the way men behave, there is something wrong with us.

I think you're wrapped up in the idea that my argument is to oppress women. How do you feel about the ethical implications of this line: "If women don't like the way men behave, there is something intrinsically wrong about the male behaviour in question and said behavoiour must be stopped, punished and banned."
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 14 Feb 2011, 00:39
I think part of the problem might be Marten TALKING about the staring when near one of the women in question.

I get the impression that the above has been overlooked, and so I'm quoting it. 

It makes a difference.  I mean, picture yourself in her position; you've gone to the bar for a drink, and you hear this guy beside you say "Well, I mean, it's been WEEKS, I AM a single dude... now..."  and when you turn he staring, goggle-eyed, at your ass. 

Does it warrant a slap?  Probably not, but it is  really creepy of Marten, and regardless of his thoughts on her  ass, she thinks he's  one!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 00:45
It looks like it was a good thing I typed, then looked at the thread, or I'd be making posts with 15 quotes in them. I think I'll just side with the middle roaders up above. Marten was being a bit creepy, she took it to assault levels. But then, this is a comedy and Marten's always been the butt monkey, so I guess we should just DWI.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odal on 14 Feb 2011, 00:52
No other Pintsize lovers?  She's totally a cutie imo.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: DSL on 14 Feb 2011, 00:53
I figure at some point during the checking-out, once it's obvious the woman's noticed you, it's good form to at least smile, wave or look away, unless it seems that introductions are in order/welcome. This is another human, after all. But I'm even rustier at this than Marten is.

As for the poll. I picked Raven, figuring her business cards (with all the modes of contact spelled out) and the legion of "cute dorky boys (who play D&D) who will treat you like a total princess if you're a hottie who gives them the time of day" would shower her with cards and chocolates, not to mention her own pairs of 12-sided dice.

Marigold would doubtless get tons of greetings from Warcrafters who realize she's a girl'n'stuff, but I assume it would be mostly online and voice messages. Would they necessarily know where to send cards and heart-shaped boxes of Pocky?

Also about the poll: Pintsize is a girl? What'd the Pugnacious Peach DO to him with/since that last toss?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 14 Feb 2011, 00:55
To my knowledge, the point of going to a bar, alone or with a 'wing (wo)man', is to meet members of the opposite sex. If that girl wasn't expecting to be looked at, why was she there?

Are people's world-views so limited that this is all they can think of?  Or are we just seeing a whole lot of immaturity being waved around?

I never got the "Look at me!"/"Don't look at me!" dichotomy of how women present themselves and dress in public

Now this is a more interesting matter.  There are two aspects to it: (1) How often is the desire to be ogled a genuine reason for the style of presentation, as opposed to the interpretation put on it by the opposite sex, and (2) How much is it a truly free choice as opposed to an expectation foisted on people by advertising, the cult of celebrity, and the other manifestations of the big money machine that is the dark side of our supposedly enlightened age?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 14 Feb 2011, 00:58
<snip>
...so I guess we should just DWI.

No, you should never do that. Drunk driving kills and nobody wants a DWI on their record.






...Oh you meant "Deal with it."

I agree that that's what we should do.

I don't expect that to happen.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 14 Feb 2011, 01:09
That one took me a minute too, even though in these parts it's called DUI (driving under the influence) rather than DWI (driving while intoxicated). 

As for dealing with it, we are.  In our usual hyperbolic way. 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: est on 14 Feb 2011, 01:12
The point of going to a bar is often just to hang out with friends and probably drink a little/lot.  Bars aren't just pickup joints.

And as for the "look at me/don't look at me" business, it's really simple.  She wants the people she's interested in to look at her, and the people she isn't interested in to leave her alone.  If you pay attention for about 10 seconds you'll find out pretty quick-smart which category you fall into and if you have any respect for her you'll modify all your future interactions with her accordingly.  Just because she's walking around "in public" doesn't mean she's giving you explicit permission to ogle her assets.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 14 Feb 2011, 01:15
No, the dressing thing isn't entirely simple.  When you look at the pressure that primary school kids are put under to conform to this warped convention long before it should matter to them, you can see cause to worry.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odal on 14 Feb 2011, 01:17
Also about the poll: Pintsize is a girl? What'd the Pugnacious Peach DO to him with/since that last toss?
Pintsize is anything you want it to be. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1812)  
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: est on 14 Feb 2011, 01:21
The root cause is pretty complex yes, but I was trying to answer the "if she's not there to be looked at, why is she there?" question.  It doesn't take telepathy to know whether or not you are her target market.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 01:22
That one took me a minute too, even though in these parts it's called DUI (driving under the influence) rather than DWI (driving while intoxicated).  

As for dealing with it, we are.  In our usual hyperbolic way.  
Hyperbole? Why, that never happens here!

The point of going to a bar is often just to hang out with friends and probably drink a little/lot.  Bars aren't just pickup joints.

And as for the "look at me/don't look at me" business, it's really simple.  She wants the people she's interested in to look at her, and the people she isn't interested in to leave her alone.  If you pay attention for about 10 seconds you'll find out pretty quick-smart which category you fall into and if you have any respect for her you'll modify all your future interactions with her accordingly.  Just because she's walking around "in public" doesn't mean she's giving you explicit permission to ogle her assets.
It's public. Permission doesn't come into it - simply by being visible, anyone has permission to view you, and you don't get to commit a felony to express your displeasure with being viewed, nor choose in general. That's been settled by several tussles about what government/private surveillance can and can't do, and whether or not its okay to take someones' camera because you don't like them shooting you. Or, in this case, ogle a bottom that has been squeezed into formfitting jeans, not average loose ones - though I hear from me female compatriots that it's hard for them to find regular jeans anymore.

EDIT: Eh, I just saw Hodges on # 52. I will admit to my knowledge of alcohol imbibing culture being limited (that being the trouble here, I see bars (not the ones in restaurants, the exclusively bar ones) as dank dirty places, and alcohol as just another drug to addle the mind - to me, going to a bar is an immature act, so I expect immature things of those who go to them. That's just the way I pre judge it.), but to my knowledge the major reasons for a single person to go to a bar all alone are to unwind after work, to get drunk, or to hook up.  As to the second part, that would take 30 minutes and a few paragraphs to respond to, which I don't have right now.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: est on 14 Feb 2011, 01:25
You have got to be kidding me
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 01:28
You have got to be kidding me
What did one volcano do when the other volcano told a joke?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: est on 14 Feb 2011, 01:31
The tightness of the woman's jeans should play no part in how much respect you afford her as a fellow human being.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: est on 14 Feb 2011, 01:35
I think it's pretty important I say that I don't mean you shouldn't look at her at all.  There's a big difference between an appreciative glance and ogling a girl so badly she feels like she needs a shower.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odal on 14 Feb 2011, 01:41
I think the middle ground here is that a guy can ogle all he wants.  As long as he's willing to accept that she'll likely slap him across the face as hard as she wants.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 14 Feb 2011, 01:42
Respect is an important part of it.  Looking at someone as a body without a personality is a bad thingTM
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CompSarge on 14 Feb 2011, 01:58
I couldn't help but laugh about today's comic. All talk about "THE REAL WORLD" aside, Marten getting slapped for staring too long, too obviously, and too creepily (Come on, did you even LOOK at his expression in panel 3?) is a comedy staple dating back to the earliest days of comedy. It's slapstick (pun intended) humor, and should not be read into any further than that.

As for the rest of the argument, all I have to say is...
 :psyduck: Psy-yi-yiiiiii!  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 02:02
The tightness of the woman's jeans should play no part in how much respect you afford her as a fellow human being.
And we are missing one salient point. Staring at anyone for more than 10 seconds is bound to be creepy, no matter the circumstances. I'm not factoring Marten staring too long to my position on look/don't look.

As to whether or not to look,  I point to the below.

Respect is an important part of it.  Looking at someone as a body without a personality is a bad thingTM

I disagree. Whether we realize it or not, that's exactly what we're doing whenever we look at a stranger and think "wow, they're hot". You always notice the body first, because that's what you can see. It's what you think after that that matters. and how you appraise the person. Marten never got to afterwards, he was still at the "nice ass" phase. A respect/no respect judgment has not been added yet. The closest example I can think of is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs). Marten's still at the third step, respect is the next step up.

I couldn't help but laugh about today's comic. All talk about "THE REAL WORLD" aside, Marten getting slapped for staring too long, too obviously, and too creepily (Come on, did you even LOOK at his expression in panel 3?) is a comedy staple dating back to the earliest days of comedy. It's slapstick (pun intended) humor, and should not be read into any further than that.

As for the rest of the argument, all I have to say is...
 :psyduck: Psy-yi-yiiiiii!  :psyduck:
Of course it shouldn't. Did that ever keep us from over analyzing before? *insert bob the builder/ Obama voice here*  No! It! Didn't!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 14 Feb 2011, 02:07
I think staring too long is inherently disrespectful.

Yes your initial reaction is hot/not hot, but if it gets to the point where someone can whip out the old "take a picture it'll last longer" phase, you're being disrespectful.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: snubnose on 14 Feb 2011, 02:34
Oooh, Raven. Totally missed Raven. Hmm, nah, my choice is still Hanners. By far. :-D


For once Jeph, just for once, please recognize that when you make Marten engage in these antics, they are not so heinous that he deserves frigging abuse.  :psyduck:
Uh, Jeph has said he loves being mean to his characters, and thats what many of the strips of this Comic is about.


I always knew Marty was an ass man.
Uh ... ? He oggles her other assets, doesnt he ?


But unless you choose to wear a burka, anyone has the right to just look - so long as that's all they do.
If we don't want to be stared at we should wear a burka? :psyduck:
I am as amazed as you are ... no woman should ever wear a Burka. It makes them to non-people.

Or highheels, while we're on that topic. Highheels kill feet. And they really look akward. Especially while the woman moves.


No other Pintsize lovers?  She's totally a cutie imo.
She is a he, not cute at all - and your taste in women is Shar-Teel from Baldurs Gate 1, right ?


That one took me a minute too, even though in these parts it's called DUI (driving under the influence) rather than DWI (driving while intoxicated).  

As for dealing with it, we are.  In our usual hyperbolic way.
I never heard of either acronym but then again I dont live in an english speaking country.


The tightness of the woman's jeans should play no part in how much respect you afford her as a fellow human being.
They should still be respected even if they would run around in the nude.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: J on 14 Feb 2011, 03:25
i would like to preface this post by stating that staring at a woman's assets is generally bad form, and generally avoid doing so in the absence of some persuasive reason to.

I think it's pretty important I say that I don't mean you shouldn't look at her at all.  There's a big difference between an appreciative glance and ogling a girl so badly she feels like she needs a shower.

that's the part of the argument right there. what, objectively speaking, is the difference, and what constitutes the distinction? i would also like to ask exactly how someone is supposed to deduce what a given woman's 'target market' is?



i also think it highlights one of the main difference between 'male' and 'female' thinking (no, i am not saying that all individuals in any given group conform to either stereotype. just follow me on this one please) please consider the following:

Quote from: Scientific American: Women Apologize More Frequently Than Men Do (http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=women-apologize-more-frequently-tha-10-09-25)
Researchers analyzed the number of self-reported offences and apologies made by 66 subjects over a 12-day period. And yes, they confirmed women consistently apologized more times than men did. But they also found that women report more offenses than men. So the issue is not female over-apology. Instead, there may be a gender difference in what is considered offensive in the first place

the thing is not that men get to set the rules as akima suggested, but rather that men and women tend to operate out of slightly different rule books. conflicts like this happen when those rules conflict and both sides insist that their version is the more valid.

my understanding of the female point of view is as follows: martin had no right to make this woman feel uncomfortable. what he did is not important, it triggered a negative emotional response and therefor was wrong by default. because her emotional state was provoked by his actions, he is responsible for them. what he did to make her feel that way has no bearing on the situation.

whereas to my cold mechanical male brain, martin here has done nothing to this woman. he has not interfered or even interacted with her in any way shape or form. because she is under no obligation to care where he points his eyeballs and could easily just ignore him, any discomfort she may feel is irrational and entirely her responsibility. how anyone feels has no bearing on the situation.

the thing is that most men learn somewhere along the way that with only a few exceptions, no one in the world cares what they think or how they feel. accepting this fact is part of becoming an man, and acting otherwise is childish/unmanly. therefor, we are disinclined to complain if someone is doing something that bothers us, and do our best to ignore it. because of this, the fact that women appear to expect their feelings to matter to complete strangers can be hard to wrap our heads around. taking said feelings into account and accommodating them can be down right frustrating. trying to do so predicatively is a feat beyond many men.



i do not think it is wrong to look at any part of another human being for any length of time, and am well within my rights to do so. but i don't stare at women for the same reasons i don't order a BLT at a jewish deli. the other person does not like it, and it's generally not worth the trouble. now in order to get along and continue perpetuating this species, we really need to realize these things and accept them and occasionally make compromises.

sometimes men are jerks.
sometimes women are crazy.




this whole thing reminds me of an earlier argument from this forum as to whether poking someone in the chest constitutes assault. in that case it was the objective, quantifiable, and action based "no physical harm is done" vs the emotionally based and subjective "the victim feels intimidated".
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 14 Feb 2011, 04:38
Society would be so much more pleasant if people had thickers skins and wouldnt get their panties in a twist every time somebody 'offends'  them as offence is always taken, not given
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: VonKleist on 14 Feb 2011, 04:42
´tis only a comic  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 14 Feb 2011, 05:34
Society would be so much more pleasant if people had thickers skins and wouldnt get their panties in a twist every time somebody 'offends'  them as offence is always taken, not given

Then explain the expression" to give offense". 

Offense - the gift that everyone will give at some point, and receive.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 14 Feb 2011, 06:20
There is a big difference between a casual glance, and staring so hard someone might think you have pyrokinetic abilities and using them to burn off someone else's pants.

A casual glance is a little cheeky and can, at times, be playful. Staring...is not. In fact, any form of staring is rude, its one of the first things we're taught as children. If you stare someone, you're making them feel uncomfortable, which is even worse when they're meant to be in a relaxed setting like a bar. Regardless of what anyone might say about having an "license" or "inherent right" to check out the "merchandise", no one has the right to make anyone feel uncomfortable, or weirded out if they go out.

A glance can be a compliment, a brief way of showing that they've caught your eye. But leave it at that.

And in all fairness, Marten probably deserved the comedy slap because he was standing right next to the girl,his speech trailing off as he began to stare at her. Thats like sticking your hand into the tiger cage, you're begging to get hurt.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: kent_eh on 14 Feb 2011, 06:56
<internal_voice> Keep out of this thread.. Don't reply.. Just lurk.. Shut up.. Noooo...</internal_voice>

And as for the "look at me/don't look at me" business, it's really simple.  She wants the people she's interested in to look at her, and the people she isn't interested in to leave her alone.  If you pay attention for about 10 seconds you'll find out pretty quick-smart which category you fall into and if you have any respect for her you'll modify all your future interactions with her accordingly.

There's the problem.
Most of us guys suck horribly at reading signals from the ladies. Or even noticing.

Many's the time I have been told (later) that I was being a creep.
And an equal number of times I have found out later "dude, why didn't you go talk to that girl? She was totally coming on to you."

In both types of situation I was all "huh.. who.. What??"  (http://members.shaw.ca/pileofstuff/smilies/frustrated.gif)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: frogfactory on 14 Feb 2011, 06:58
My question is: Why does the woman have two noses/chins/necks in panel 3?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Somnus Eternus on 14 Feb 2011, 07:02
I'm a little surprised so many people voted for Hanners in the poll.  I mean, I know a lot of people here would want to send her one, but in-universe she has this worrying habit of freaking men out...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 14 Feb 2011, 07:41
Society would be so much more pleasant if people had thickers skins and wouldnt get their panties in a twist every time somebody 'offends'  them as offence is always taken, not given

No, some people do go out of their way to give offense as well. They'll do things they know, or can guess will offend, mainly to gain amusement from others' offended reactions. A relevant example from the ongoing discussion is the guy who keeps staring at a woman's ass long after she's noticed and shown, by her body language at least, that she doesn't appreciate his attention. He doesn't care that he's made her uncomfortable, and may even be enjoying her discomfort. (not that this is what Marten did of course, he just got caught up in the moment)

Of course it can be difficult to tell if someone meant to give offense, and if they did they're most likely looking for you to react, so growing a thick skin is still a good idea.

I'm a little surprised so many people voted for Hanners in the poll.  I mean, I know a lot of people here would want to send her one, but in-universe she has this worrying habit of freaking men out...

And thus, those men don't stick around long enough to get to know Hanners better. If they did, it might be a different story.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 14 Feb 2011, 07:43
Yeah, you may want to send her one, or even just see her receive some. But I suspect that receiving the most valentines cards would leave her feeling rather freaked out, kicking off a paranoia/crazy cycle. This would not be a good thing. You wouldn't do it if you really liked her.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 14 Feb 2011, 08:08
My question is: Why does the woman have two noses/chins/necks in panel 3?


That's why Martin was staring.     :-P



...and I don't see this so much as "abuse" or any of the other deep-meaningful conversations.

Nice tie-in to the strip's origin and a nice homage to an earlier strip.    Plus a cute reminder that "it's not going to be EXACTLY like it was before."
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 14 Feb 2011, 08:09
My question is: Why does the woman have two noses/chins/necks in panel 3?

I see a dimpled chin, hair falling strangely down the neck (I'd say the perspective was screwed on that one), and one nose (maybe a dimple in the upper lip).
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 14 Feb 2011, 09:18
Someone once pointed out about fixed unsmiling stares, "Ask any dog what that body language means".
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 14 Feb 2011, 09:55
Society would be so much more pleasant if people had thickers skins and wouldnt get their panties in a twist every time somebody 'offends'  them as offence is always taken, not given

No, some people do go out of their way to give offense as well. They'll do things they know, or can guess will offend, mainly to gain amusement from others' offended reactions. A relevant example from the ongoing discussion is the guy who keeps staring at a woman's ass long after she's noticed and shown, by her body language at least, that she doesn't appreciate his attention. He doesn't care that he's made her uncomfortable, and may even be enjoying her discomfort. (not that this is what Marten did of course, he just got caught up in the moment)

Of course it can be difficult to tell if someone meant to give offense, and if they did they're most likely looking for you to react, so growing a thick skin is still a good idea.

No matter how much provocation...you'd still have to take offense to it, one girls creepy stare is another's flattery
Any person can dish out the same amount of provocation, the levels of tolerance from the other side is what matters

So therefor i think my point still stands, thicker skin > all
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Black Sword on 14 Feb 2011, 09:56
I'm ashamed of Marten. Dude, her ass wasn't that hot. It was a quick look and continue, not even worth a second glance. If you're going to get slapped for looking, look at better goods. Being single for weeks doesn't mean you should lower standards. Jeez, we can't take him anywhere.  :oops:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: LoveJaneAusten on 14 Feb 2011, 10:02
I never got the "Look at me!"/"Don't look at me!" dichotomy of how women present themselves and dress in public (yes, I get the various aspects of it and the superficial logic of it, but it's faulty).

So long as you analyze social behavior like an algorithm and conclude that "it's faulty", no, you really don't "get" it.

I will admit to my knowledge of alcohol imbibing culture being limited (that being the trouble here, I see bars (not the ones in restaurants, the exclusively bar ones) as dank dirty places, and alcohol as just another drug to addle the mind - to me, going to a bar is an immature act, so I expect immature things of those who go to them. That's just the way I pre judge it.),

It might be hard to be taken seriously if you conceive of socializing in bars as "an immature act".
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 14 Feb 2011, 10:10
As for the comic: OW. This is one of the reasons I keep my glasses instead of wearing contacts: I can stare as long as I want simply by taking them off as pretending to clean them in the direction of the woman I wish to look at.

Reminds me of this (http://www.mastersoftheart.com/comic.php?cid=44).
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2011, 10:30
Which one of the girls would get the most Valentines in the QC Universe?

Faye    - 4 (4%)
Dora    - 0 (0%)
Hannelore    - 24 (24%)
Cosette    - 2 (2%)
Penelope    - 3 (3%)
Raven    - 27 (27%)
Padma    - 0 (0%)
Renee    - 0 (0%)
Veronica Reed    - 22 (22%)
Marigold    - 1 (1%)
Pintsize!    - 1 (1%)
Winifred the Waffle Maker!    - 3 (3%)
TAI! (Oh, how could I forget TAI?)    - 13 (13%)

Total Voters: 100
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: celticgeek on 14 Feb 2011, 10:32
Didn't Raven get more votes?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2011, 10:36
...I have NO idea what you're talking about.  :roll: :wink:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: celticgeek on 14 Feb 2011, 10:47
Oh.  My bad. Sorry.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: elddiremsiht on 14 Feb 2011, 11:04
I can't figure out what's going on with the back of the girl's head/neck in the first panel. Am I just stupid?  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 14 Feb 2011, 11:05
Hmmm, new poll.

Well, I went with the comment about asking if the beer tasted funny. Which reminded me of when I was about 18. Started drinking cider, before working up to beer. Anyway, one night, my friends and I were out having a couple of drinks, when I noticed my drink tasted funny. Complained to the barman, who looked at the taps, and then the hoses connected to them. I caught a glimpse, and found the inside of the hose looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. I've been a barman, and I know what a clean pipe to the tap should look like, and what I saw there wasn't it. Two things happened that night. First off, I haven't touched another cider since, and secondly, I never ordered anything from the tap anywhere since.

Anyway, anyone else surprised that Dora didn't get a single vote? No? I thought so. Carry on.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 14 Feb 2011, 11:06
I can't figure out what's going on with the back of the girl's head/neck in the first panel. Am I just stupid?  :psyduck:

That would be called a mirror. Hence why little miss slappy later in the comic looks a little off as well.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CEOIII on 14 Feb 2011, 12:34
As for the comic: OW. This is one of the reasons I keep my glasses instead of wearing contacts: I can stare as long as I want simply by taking them off as pretending to clean them in the direction of the woman I wish to look at.

Reminds me of this (http://www.mastersoftheart.com/comic.php?cid=44).

A second option. If I could wear shades.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kugai on 14 Feb 2011, 13:07
Marten shoulda started out slowly to get back into the swing of things


A day at the park would have been a good start.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: tomart on 14 Feb 2011, 13:50
<internal_voice> Keep out of this thread.. Don't reply.. Just lurk.. Shut up.. Noooo...</internal_voice>
There's the problem.
Most of us guys suck horribly at reading signals from the ladies. Or even noticing.
Many's the time I have been told (later) that I was being a creep.
And an equal number of times I have found out later "dude, why didn't you go talk to that girl? She was totally coming on to you."
In both types of situation I was all "huh.. who.. What??"  (http://members.shaw.ca/pileofstuff/smilies/frustrated.gif)
THIS!     QFT.
I have been HORRIBLE at this, most of my life, so I've given up on women, I can't read your minds, your signals, what you want or don't want...  Most of your responses presume the looker knows what's appropriate and thus you feel ENTITLED to resent anyone doing anything that makes you uncomfortable.  But appropriateness VARIES wildly between situations, neighborhoods, groups, countries, etc, and some of us avoid people because of this unfair drama.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 14 Feb 2011, 14:08
Takes scads of practice. 

So stop avoiding people.  And try and find a tutor, since you're coming late to the game.  It's like adding a course mid-semester - you've got a lot of catching up to do, but it's not impossible! 

[/dearabby]
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 14 Feb 2011, 14:41
How do you feel about the ethical implications of this line: "If women don't like the way men behave, there is something intrinsically wrong about the male behaviour in question and said behavoiour must be stopped, punished and banned."
What I think, is that it depends on the behaviour. Some ways in which some men behave that women dislike, are also shunned by ethical men, and banned and (ideally) punished in all civilised societies. Rape would be an obvious example. Some behaviours are merely sleazy and obnoxious, not rising to the level of formal sanctions (at least in a bar; the same behaviour in a workplace might well be viewed differently), but certainly quite enough for me to categorise men who engage in them as ones to avoid. Some are merely tiresome and dismissed with a sigh. Some insults are so routine as to be barely noticed, kind of like air-pollution.

Society would be so much more pleasant if people had thickers skins and wouldnt get their panties in a twist every time somebody 'offends'  them as offence is always taken, not given
More pleasant for whom? Certainly more pleasant for those who find it too much trouble to care about other peoples' feelings or self-respect. According to you, when I "took" offense at the truck-driver who called me a "fucking gook" on the street a few weeks ago, the only problem was that I'm thin-skinned? Thank you for your support...

the thing is that most men learn somewhere along the way that with only a few exceptions, no one in the world cares what they think or how they feel. accepting this fact is part of becoming an man, and acting otherwise is childish/unmanly. therefor, we are disinclined to complain if someone is doing something that bothers us, and do our best to ignore it. because of this, the fact that women appear to expect their feelings to matter to complete strangers can be hard to wrap our heads around. taking said feelings into account and accommodating them can be down right frustrating. trying to do so predicatively is a feat beyond many men.
I cannot really comment on what men expect from other men, but the idea that men don't expect their feelings to be considered by women is downright laughable. In my experience, if we are insufficiently tactful and considerate of their cotton-candy sensibilities, even in relatively emotionally-neutral places like the office, never mind personal relationships, they give us charming names like "bitch" and "ball-crusher".

The idea that women are some sort of impenetrable mystery is essentially a cop-out. Anyone who decides something is impossible is guaranteed to fail. Women are socialised into different styles of communication from men, but this is hardly a big secret; there are libraries of books out there on the subject. Mostly you just have to pay attention rather than just "tuning us out". In the comic, Marten completely ignored the stink-eye he was being given. She still shouldn't have hit him, but this is a comic.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 15:09
http://www.cracked.com/article_18866_5-reasons-women-are-as-shallow-as-men-according-to-science.html?

http://www.cracked.com/article_18760_6-things-everyone-knows-about-women-that-arent-true.html?

http://www.cracked.com/article_18804_the-6-wrong-questions-men-love-to-ask-about-women.html?

Resistance is futile, just enjoy yourself.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cabbagehut on 14 Feb 2011, 15:16
How do you feel about the ethical implications of this line: "If women don't like the way men behave, there is something intrinsically wrong about the male behaviour in question and said behavoiour must be stopped, punished and banned."
What I think, is that it depends on the behaviour. Some ways in which some men behave that women dislike, are also shunned by ethical men, and banned and (ideally) punished in all civilised societies. Rape would be an obvious example. Some behaviours are merely sleazy and obnoxious, not rising to the level of formal sanctions (at least in a bar; the same behaviour in a workplace might well be viewed differently), but certainly quite enough for me to categorise men who engage in them as ones to avoid. Some are merely tiresome and dismissed with a sigh. Some insults are so routine as to be barely noticed, kind of like air-pollution.

...

I cannot really comment on what men expect from other men, but the idea that men don't expect their feelings to be considered by women is downright laughable. In my experience, if we are insufficiently tactful and considerate of their cotton-candy sensibilities, even in relatively emotionally-neutral places like the office, never mind personal relationships, they give us charming names like "bitch" and "ball-crusher".

The idea that women are some sort of impenetrable mystery is essentially a cop-out. Anyone who decides something is impossible is guaranteed to fail. Women are socialised into different styles of communication from men, but this is hardly a big secret; there are libraries of books out there on the subject. Mostly you just have to pay attention rather than just "tuning us out". In the comic, Marten completely ignored the stink-eye he was being given. She still shouldn't have hit him, but this is a comic.

I have to agree with you on all counts.  Especially that saying you can't understand women is just a cop-out.  Men and women really aren't that different, and they aren't exactly the same as everyone else who shares that sex/gender.  Each person is an individual, and you can't expect all women to act alike - you may learn to read one woman's signals, but that doesn't mean they apply across the board.  The Transitive Property can't really be used with people, except as generalized rules that have to be altered in every experience.

The way a woman dresses should not be related to how she is treated.  That's putting the onus of controlling men's behavior on an individual woman.  How can I know what's revealing and what's conservative?  To avoid being catcalled and having crude comments directed at me, I should dress covered head-to-toe?  I generally wear baggy hoodies and cargo pants - I STILL get rude things said to me on the street.  There's absolutely no protection.  I can't win.  The only way to change things is to insist that people stop acting like assholes in public.  Marten acted like an asshole, and while slapping someone's out of line, this is a slapsticky comic, and I doubt Jacques (is it better etiquette to refer to him as Jeph or Jacques?) meant this as a treatise on the sexual behavior of men in bars, but for a lot of women, it's something you've got to deal with ALL THE TIME, not just in bars.

Have you ever read Starling's "Schrödinger’s Rapist: or a guy’s guide to approaching strange women without being maced"? Link (http://kateharding.net/2009/10/08/guest-blogger-starling-schrodinger’s-rapist-or-a-guy’s-guide-to-approaching-strange-women-without-being-maced/).  I think you'd probably appreciate it, and it might explain why so many women on this board are having such a strong reaction to Marten's behavior.

If you don't want to read such a long article, the gist is that women have different boundaries of safety than men, and are more aware of risks such as sexual assault and rape.  Therefore, they have to be extra-careful around strangers, because you don't know who's safe and who isn't.  It's not that all men are unsafe or that all men are rapists - it's that there's no way to know who IS dangerous and who ISN'T, so you just have to be careful around everyone.  It's not fair, but until we live in a world in which rape is not a common threat to women's (and everyone's, but most rape victims are women) safety, they have to be somewhat distrustful.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Skelepunk on 14 Feb 2011, 15:49
Psych Major, ho!
Staring is generally seen as a negative act. Most people identify it as aggressive or threatening, or at the least that something is wrong with them.
People go to bars to have a quick drink with friends, karaoke, or to unwind.Yes, many are sketchy, but many others are not.
In my experience, men are way more sensitive than women.
 And therefore...
Marten=a bit creepy. Girl committed assault. However, rule of funny would suggest that as a whole, we are overanalysing. But since it is fun to do, and informative to read, whats the harm?

Off note:Burqas, as I understand them, are not intended make someone a non human. Instead, it is a way to get someone to look at a woman as a person first, and not objectify them.  I refuse to get into the debate of whether or not this is effective, as my knowledge is limited. But as a piece of interest,apparently  many women like wearing the  burqa because it makes it easier to run errands(doesn't matter what is underneath) and it helps with bargaining because only the eyes can be seen.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 14 Feb 2011, 16:21
Resistance is futile, just enjoy yourself.
Cracked.com; as addictive as TV Tropes and better-written too.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 14 Feb 2011, 16:55

Society would be so much more pleasant if people had thickers skins and wouldnt get their panties in a twist every time somebody 'offends'  them as offence is always taken, not given
More pleasant for whom? Certainly more pleasant for those who find it too much trouble to care about other peoples' feelings or self-respect. According to you, when I "took" offense at the truck-driver who called me a "fucking gook" on the street a few weeks ago, the only problem was that I'm thin-skinned? Thank you for your support...

That's a very different thing from being checked out in a bar, and according to the class I took in Management of Assaultive Behavior it's grounds for immediately adding distance enough to guarantee reaction time. I'd be surprised if that's the kind of thing Antario had in mind.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Beaten by Nuns on 14 Feb 2011, 17:55
What's up with slapper girl's chin?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 14 Feb 2011, 18:18
What's up with slapper girl's chin?

Check my last post on the previous page....Its her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. Same with the girl in the first panel.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Arancaytar on 14 Feb 2011, 19:45
Duh; I only noticed the hand imprint just now. Thought she had just given him a dirty look and left, and wondered what the fuss was about. :P
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: BarcodeBuster on 14 Feb 2011, 20:19
Was I the only person who thought that she just turned around and slapped him after she noticed he was staring at her?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Somnus Eternus on 14 Feb 2011, 22:02
Oh, UMASS fratboys.  Where don't you show up drunk?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2011, 22:02
What's up with slapper girl's chin?

It doesn't look right, no matter what anyone says. I actually did a bit of old-school dot-by-dot recoloring of a clip, and I'm thinking Jeph didn't realize he'd moved her head a bit in a different layer before publishing the strip.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2011, 22:03
This... can not end well.

I'm assuming the chick Steve's talking about is glasses-ponytail-tat girl? Oh great, yet another Faye-a-like.

...Of course, it'd be REALLY funny if she was the girl that Burly Bakery Dude was trying to screw up the courage to ask out.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Somnus Eternus on 14 Feb 2011, 22:06
...Of course, it'd be REALLY funny if she was the girl that Burly Bakery Dude was trying to screw up the courage to ask out.

As long as it's not Renee.

...Well, unless BBD was screwing up the courage to ask out Renee, I suppose.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 14 Feb 2011, 22:27
This... can not end well.

I'm assuming the chick Steve's talking about is glasses-ponytail-tat girl? Oh great, yet another Faye-a-like.

...Of course, it'd be REALLY funny if she was the girl that Burly Bakery Dude was trying to screw up the courage to ask out.

Don't think that's a ponytail; I think it's another mirror artifact from the perpindicular perspective.  She is further away from the mirror so her head is reflecting at a somewhat different angle.

Genuinely intended art note for Jeph:  the straight-on 90-degree perpindicular to the mirror causes some confusion in the viewer -- if you angled it just a bit in either direction we might get a better sense of what you intended us to see.  (Although I bet it would be kind of a bitch to draw.)

Re: the Hot Girl -- skinny and tattooed, check; short dark hair and hipster glasses, check.  Go for it, Marten, she's got attractive physical aspects of both the one you pursued but never got and the one who pursued you who you never really had (DORA'S GOT ISSUES  :psyduck:).  At this rate, though, he'd start to chat up Fora (Daye?) and find out that while she likes guys, she was already bi for Tai.

D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Sharp on 14 Feb 2011, 22:28
Oh, UMASS fratboys.  Where don't you show up drunk?

As a former UMASS student, I can attest to the truth in the comic.  :-D And I HAVE to sig your comment!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CEOIII on 14 Feb 2011, 22:41
Marten doesn't know how he feels. Or how he should feel. That's what he was going to say before Steve had a Broment.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: hannahsaurusrex on 14 Feb 2011, 22:54
The pastel polo shirts make me grin
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2011, 22:56
Pastel nothin'. Those are Jersey Shore-ish PINK.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: hannahsaurusrex on 14 Feb 2011, 23:09
I hope they don't get broraped. :(
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 14 Feb 2011, 23:11
Marten looks like a cat would in that situation.

I hope they don't get broraped. :(
Or broped.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: hannahsaurusrex on 14 Feb 2011, 23:19
That's why Marten needs "soap on a brope"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 14 Feb 2011, 23:21
THE UMASS BROS!   WOOHOO!!!!


(MDBS is a proud graduate of UMASS)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 15 Feb 2011, 00:35
Steve is having a THIS. IS. SPARTA! moment. Marten is catabronic. I thought bros popped their collars and looked more douchey than that, but then I've never seen them in the wild, broming their native habitat.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mad Cat on 15 Feb 2011, 00:56
I hope they don't get broraped. :(
Bros before (http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/public/nH_PIJYImPecCEEdbKdk-VcEG1qiAsubPrhTmcvpzZTisxSD4iW3qyscnQMDTo2y3CJJ50Qd5akAC_xTQd6krSp8ADKxH-abSZsGnfOnnezP8Ti-ZMo_2EY0kyqnHO0vFluFgMCtyQdpaoV7DiIiE-Vq_vCkQQlMV0GwEhHoUOBakMaarPiqXnNBtf-at7dCNdrYw4EmAwMuSxci86txC4eAkDZ0TbJ4O1gMfe_nlHsEgtmvo17ScmFu1Oz7RK8H4uxVbCASLeG2m1BnddJhKueMVUTFP47_Xq4qL3B06c1HzfFIZ_PbryV15kmiTVZH)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Blackjoker on 15 Feb 2011, 01:36
Marten looks like a cat would in that situation.

I hope they don't get broraped. :(
Or broped.

I read that and I imagine a moped telling you how much he loves you man and how he hopes you don't lose touch with each other after college.

As to the slapping thing, hadn't realized that before and yeah, that does seem out of line, just my 2 cents. Not saying that the staring is good either, just saying that it's disproportionate retribution.

As to todays strip, Marten seems to be catatonic, either overwhelmed or Steve somehow managed to hit that last little piece of Martens sanity that Dora and his mother didn't shatter in the last few days/weeks/what have you and now Marten is reaching catatonia. Either that or he is experiencing severe broverlode.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: hannahsaurusrex on 15 Feb 2011, 01:42
Akima, you gave me an epiphany about the nature of bros. You haven't seen bros because they are essentially Americans who try really hard to be like Aussies.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 15 Feb 2011, 02:23
As to todays strip, Marten seems to be catatonic, either overwhelmed or Steve somehow managed to hit that last little piece of Martens sanity that Dora and his mother didn't shatter in the last few days/weeks/what have you and now Marten is reaching catatonia. Either that or he is experiencing severe broverlode.

Looks like a flight or fight trigger moment. Are we going to see UMASSacre or a rude awakening on Evergreen Terrace?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 15 Feb 2011, 05:09
Marten running screaming into the night.  Not to be seen again until the wedding.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 15 Feb 2011, 05:12
Wait, what who's wedding?

You're just quoting tropes now, aren't you? 

 :psyduck: (and I don't use that lightly)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Feb 2011, 06:49
Other things you probably shouldn't say in a bar:

Does this beer taste funny to you?    - 4 (5.5%)
What's that in the pretzel/peanut dish?    - 0 (0%)
Geez, who let one rip?    - 0 (0%)
Did you bring your pet bandicoot with you again?    - 4 (5.5%)
That dress does make her look fat.    - 13 (17.8%)
Can you PLEASE stop talking? I'm TRYING to USE the PHONE!!!!    - 13 (17.8%) (I meant to do that.)
Who's motorcycle was that I just ran over in the parking lot?    - 10 (13.7%)
What, no fancy hats and ridiculous outfits?    - 1 (1.4%)
So, when's Procol Harum starting?    - 2 (2.7%)
Why is that blonde girl coming out of the men's restroom?    - 15 (20.5%) (Someone got the reference.)
Don't they sell waffles here?    - 11 (15.1%)

Total Voters: 73
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: El_Flesh on 15 Feb 2011, 06:53
"It's complicated"


= he's hung up on FAYE!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 15 Feb 2011, 07:07
Hold on, I thought that Marten's catatonia was induced by Steve proclaiming that they were a shit eighties boyband.

(http://megamusicnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/brothers-bros-431x300.jpg)

I think you can see the resemblance.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 15 Feb 2011, 10:37
(some reasonable words) ...The Transitive Property... (some more reasonable words)

I definitely glanced at that and parsed it as "The Transvestite Experience".  Not sure how.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CompSarge on 15 Feb 2011, 12:21
I'm pretty sure the school I went to had some of those UMASS frat boys, too. An incredibly large number of them, in fact...

Regarding the poll, I'm thinking it should be "Pink Popped Shirted Guidos," not "Goombos." That's probably just me, though.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: charybdis on 15 Feb 2011, 14:46
This is another one of those where the little details make it even better. Steve knocked over his beer in his enthusiasm to make Marten understand their bro-ness. Marten's is on the way over. The UMASS Frats and their eye-searing douchebag radiation. I love it so  :lol:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: BillyxRansom on 15 Feb 2011, 15:46
I think we deserve a spin-off comic featuring the UMass bros.
















... AMIRITE GUISE!??!?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 15 Feb 2011, 15:59
I think starting another webcomic at this point would cause Jeph a nervous breakdown.

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 15 Feb 2011, 16:00
Depends, which guise is the right guise? 





That guise? 









or dis guise? 

 :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Feb 2011, 16:02
I'm pretty sure the school I went to had some of those UMASS frat boys, too. An incredibly large number of them, in fact...

Regarding the poll, I'm thinking it should be "Pink Popped Shirted Guidos," not "Goombos." That's probably just me, though.  :psyduck:
Thank you, I could not remember what they were called.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Wraith11B on 15 Feb 2011, 17:09
Just because I noticed it, and have been wandering about because of my job: there is both a DUI and DWI.  "DUI" or "Under the Influence" is a blanket term for either drugs or alcohol (when the breathalyzer reads less than the legal limit for it to be considered intoxication) but when the driving is still reckless.  DWI is driving whilst legally intoxicated, which is generally a BAC of .08 or even lower for some ages (especially those under 21).

Also, for random coffeehouse antics that I thought I'd share: http://youtu.be/-74mUxLQW_s (http://youtu.be/-74mUxLQW_s)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 15 Feb 2011, 18:03
Jeph is warning us that he has a CLASSY SCRIPT INBOUND!


So is it fart humor or a poop-joke.   We are well overdue for both.    :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kugai on 15 Feb 2011, 19:31
'The horror!!  The horror!!'

Marten Reed.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: emeraldbeacon on 15 Feb 2011, 21:34
Talk about your Tactical TMIs.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dreyden on 15 Feb 2011, 21:41
Well, that was a bit too much too sudden there, lol.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: DSL on 15 Feb 2011, 21:45
Employees must wash hands before returning to work. That means YOU, Miss Hurlbut.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 15 Feb 2011, 21:49
Talk about your Tactical TMIs.
Once something is said, it cannot be unsaid:

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.


Poor Marten.  :-D

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 15 Feb 2011, 21:57
So... Who is that young lady on the right in panels 1 and 2, and why does she seem to get more interested as Steve and Marten's conversation progresses.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: iduguphergrave on 15 Feb 2011, 22:01
Am I the only one who gets the feeling Steve's been wanting to get this off his chest?  :-P
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 15 Feb 2011, 22:15
Be a long time before Marten goes drinking with Steve again, methinks. You can see Marten's brain go "SQUICK" in the last two panels.

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: foolsguinea on 15 Feb 2011, 22:16
So... Who is that young lady on the right in panels 1 and 2, and why does she seem to get more interested as Steve and Marten's conversation progresses.
Isn't it Sweet-Tits?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CEOIII on 15 Feb 2011, 22:16
So... Who is that young lady on the right in panels 1 and 2, and why does she seem to get more interested as Steve and Marten's conversation progresses.

New chick for Marten! Maybe she just went through a breakup, she's stretching her single legs, they strinke up a conversation, she promises to stay away from Marten's asshole..........

C'mon, things eventually have to go his way sometime, right?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 15 Feb 2011, 22:37
>Steve: BROTECH Lv. 49: Summoning of the Thricefold Posse

Followed by today's beautiful infodrop. Yes. I do not know if I love Steve or Cosette more right now.  :laugh:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Jerein on 15 Feb 2011, 22:51
So... Who is that young lady on the right in panels 1 and 2, and why does she seem to get more interested as Steve and Marten's conversation progresses.

New chick for Marten! Maybe she just went through a breakup, she's stretching her single legs, they strinke up a conversation, she promises to stay away from Marten's asshole..........

C'mon, things eventually have to go his way sometime, right?

That may very well be the case.  Notice she's also in the first panel of 1858:

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1858
 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1858)

Edit: On closer inspection, they might not be the same girl, but damn if they're not sisters.

Sexy sisters.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: hannahsaurusrex on 15 Feb 2011, 22:55
With a boyfriend who happens to work in the erotica industry, I can't help but want to tell Steve what my boyfriend tells all his gentlemen customers.

Get an aneros.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kazukagii on 15 Feb 2011, 23:02
Man, this is the reason I always miss Steve: he always gets the best comics.  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 15 Feb 2011, 23:16
That may very well be the case.  Notice she's also in the first panel of 1858:

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1858
 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1858)

Edit: On closer inspection, they might not be the same girl, but damn if they're not sisters.

Sexy sisters.


OMG!!!

She already has her tSB counterpart!!!!!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Sharp on 15 Feb 2011, 23:44
Employees must wash hands before returning to work. That means YOU, Miss Hurlbut.

(http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu307/SharpArcher01/1297232713798.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 15 Feb 2011, 23:49
That tactical TMI just nuked martens mind judging from panel 6

and that look the girl in panel 2 is giving him is priceless.
to bad jeph didnt include her in panel 4, that would've been hilarious
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: snubnose on 15 Feb 2011, 23:58
It seems that finally Jeph found a use for Steve again.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 16 Feb 2011, 00:02
What, making Marten feel like shit?

We don't need Steve for that, everybody* has been serving that function ever since the break up.


*Maybe not Sven, or Raven, but only cause she hasn't been around.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Razgriz on 16 Feb 2011, 00:15
Hasn't Steve more or less gone on a self-destructive drinking binge for a week or  more any time one of his relationships falters?  "I mean, I never have that kind of problem".  Yeah right, Steve.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 16 Feb 2011, 00:18
That probably should be read as "I don't remember having that kinda problem."
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 16 Feb 2011, 00:37
What, making Marten feel like shit?

We don't need Steve for that, everybody* has been serving that function ever since the break up.


*Maybe not Sven, or Raven, but only cause she hasn't been around.

Hannelore has been generally supportive of Marten.

I am highly interested in the identity of the redhead who dresses like a female Marten. At least, I am if she's quit smoking. Her appearances:

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1445
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1858
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1863

Sweet tits, by the way, has brown hair to my eyes.
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1690
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 16 Feb 2011, 00:42
It's a reddish brown.

Not ginger, but at at least an auburn.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Delator on 16 Feb 2011, 01:15
As awkward as this is for Marten, it will be even more awkward the next time he sees Cosette.  :-P


Again, Steve...don't ever change.  :lol:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: maddness on 16 Feb 2011, 01:29
HAHA! LOVE Steve!

This kind of reminds me of the time in H.S. when one of my best friends called me up at 3 AM to share, in detail, the fact that she's just given her first blow job.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 16 Feb 2011, 01:37
Not the kind of thing you wanted to hear eh? I thought girls talked about that kind of stuff all the time. :D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Loki on 16 Feb 2011, 01:48
Heh. Am I the only one who thinks that that anus stuff is not exactly a big deal? I thought the real point of the comic was that Steve is basically saying "I am sorry to hear that your gf broke up with you. OH BTW I HAD SEX WITH MY GF RECENTLY AND IT WAS GREAT". But I am probably being Captain Obvious here.

HAHA! LOVE Steve!

This kind of reminds me of the time in H.S. when one of my best friends called me up at 3 AM to share, in detail, the fact that she's just given her first blow job.  :psyduck:

Out of pure interest, what did you say? (I am just wondering what one would say in such a situation.)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 16 Feb 2011, 02:07
I don't think that Marten is shocked that Cosette gave Sveve a "BJ."

I don't think that Marten is shocked that Cosette stuck her finger up his "you know."

I don't even think that Marten is shocked that Steve is sharing this particular anecdote.

I think that Marten is shocked that Steve is talking about it like he's in the fifth grade!!!


I mean really, what grown man calls oral sex a "BJ" or refers to his own asshole as "you know?"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cyro on 16 Feb 2011, 02:19
Ah, Steve. I love you because you remind me of all my male friends.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 16 Feb 2011, 02:36
Ah, Steve. I love you because you remind me of all my male friends.
All of them? That's a pretty homogeneous group you've got there.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 16 Feb 2011, 03:02
Pun intended?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cyro on 16 Feb 2011, 03:13
All of them? That's a pretty homogeneous group you've got there.

I don't actually have that many close male friends and then they're 2 seperate social circles.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: snubnose on 16 Feb 2011, 03:25
With a boyfriend who happens to work in the erotica industry, I can't help but want to tell Steve what my boyfriend tells all his gentlemen customers.

Get an aneros.
...

I am pretty sure I dont want to know what that is.


What, making Marten feel like shit?
For the special kind of humor only Steve has in this comic.

And I dont think he makes Marten feel like shit. He weirdens him out. Thats something completely different than bringing someone down. In fact Steve gives Marten something else to think about than Dora. Even if its not something pleasant.


As awkward as this is for Marten, it will be even more awkward the next time he sees Cosette.  :-P


Again, Steve...don't ever change.  :lol:
Uh, in his place that wouldnt bother me.


Not the kind of thing you wanted to hear eh? I thought girls talked about that kind of stuff all the time. :D
Uh, as far as I know, women dont talk that much about sex with each other.

Well, as far as I know ... I'm a man, so what do I know about that, anyway.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lupercal on 16 Feb 2011, 03:26
Well, I'll certainly use any kind of Superbad language if its going somewhere relatively funny. "Vajayjay" and "Blowjay" are acceptable. One of my friends once called the VJ a "Pikachu", and I had to remind him it was more like Squirtle - cue billions of pokemon jokes.

I love Steve, its good to see Marten get some bro time. He works and lives with girls, so its good to see him do the RAWR MANLINESS thing every once in a while.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 16 Feb 2011, 03:31
Pun intended?
Not intended, but alternate interpretations were expected, yes.

All of them? That's a pretty homogeneous group you've got there.

I don't actually have that many close male friends and then they're 2 separate social circles.
I have in my minds eye the image of two groups of Steve's that don't know each other.  :psyduck:

With a boyfriend who happens to work in the erotica industry, I can't help but want to tell Steve what my boyfriend tells all his gentlemen customers.

Get an aneros.
...

I am pretty sure I dont want to know what that is.

It's erotic industry code for 'Google'.  :mrgreen:

Well, I'll certainly use any kind of Superbad language if its going somewhere relatively funny. "Vajayjay" and "Blowjay" are acceptable. One of my friends once called the VJ a "Pikachu", and I had to remind him it was more like Squirtle - cue billions of pokemon jokes.

I love Steve, its good to see Marten get some bro time. He works and lives with girls, so its good to see him do the RAWR MANLINESS thing every once in a while.
Your friend would fit right in with the Chileans. http://www.newsweek.com/2008/03/17/rebels-without-cause.html (http://www.newsweek.com/2008/03/17/rebels-without-cause.html)

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cesariojpn on 16 Feb 2011, 03:58
That tactical TMI just nuked martens mind judging from panel 6

Given other TMI (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1697) incidents, I seriously doubt anything can faze Martin. After all, his Mom was a kinky little minx.....
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cyro on 16 Feb 2011, 04:04
I have in my minds eye the image of two groups of Steve's that don't know each other.  :psyduck:


That's not a bad analogy, except they all have different beards.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: charybdis on 16 Feb 2011, 04:35
Steve and I apparently have the same "shake them out of their funk" method with friends. Can't cheer them up? Derail their train of thought. Permanently.
I personally avoid tactical TMIs, but they do have their place.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: FadedLB on 16 Feb 2011, 04:45
Poor Marten.  :-D
I LOL'd at his expression in the last panel. "Oh.. god.. DID NOT WANT"

However, there's something nattering about your wording, "Definitely one of those things you don't just spring on a dude.".  Not trying to stir the pot or harsh anyone's mellow here but.. that's something you don't just "spring" on anyone, yet the ancient female version of that ("Oh just stick in back there and pretend it's an accident") is still accepted/laughed at everywhere there's a 'tard to hear it. Just sayin'.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Feb 2011, 04:46
That tactical TMI just nuked martens mind judging from panel 6

Given other TMI (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1697) incidents, I seriously doubt anything can faze Martin. After all, his Mom was a kinky little minx.....

Ah but consider this TMI. (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=17)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cyro on 16 Feb 2011, 04:54
Poor Marten.  :-D
I LOL'd at his expression in the last panel. "Oh.. god.. DID NOT WANT"

However, there's something nattering about your wording, "Definitely one of those things you don't just spring on a dude.".  Not trying to stir the pot or harsh anyone's mellow here but.. that's something you don't just "spring" on anyone, yet the ancient female version of that ("Oh just stick in back there and pretend it's an accident") is still accepted/laughed at everywhere there's a 'tard to hear it. Just sayin'.

I think that comment was refering to the info, not the deed.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: messeduplilkid on 16 Feb 2011, 05:19
Sweet tits.

That's what I am hoping for.

http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1690

Hair is a bit of a different shade, but maybe she dyes it from whatever her natural is?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: rje on 16 Feb 2011, 05:53
Aww Marten don't leave a bro hangin'! Fistbump that righteous exploration!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 16 Feb 2011, 05:55
Well, today's comic puts the last panel in this one (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=716) into perspective...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lupercal on 16 Feb 2011, 06:02
Aww Marten don't leave a bro hangin'! Fistbump that righteous exploration!

Toto doing the entire Dune soundtrack was a righteous exploration. What Steve said was just one of those things you have to be cool about. We can talk about stuff coming out of it until the apocalypse, but stuff going UP there is an entirely different kettle of...pokeballs.

And damn those Chileans and their crazy dyed-hair-pierced-jeb-sex orgies. Until 2004 it was illegal to get divorced but you can "do a Steve" in a public place?

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: FadedLB on 16 Feb 2011, 06:08
Poor Marten.  :-D
I LOL'd at his expression in the last panel. "Oh.. god.. DID NOT WANT"

However, there's something nattering about your wording, "Definitely one of those things you don't just spring on a dude.".  Not trying to stir the pot or harsh anyone's mellow here but.. that's something you don't just "spring" on anyone, yet the ancient female version of that ("Oh just stick in back there and pretend it's an accident") is still accepted/laughed at everywhere there's a 'tard to hear it. Just sayin'.

I think that comment was refering to the info, not the deed.

Hmm, good point!
Yeah, that info shouldn't be just sprung on anyone either!  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: maddness on 16 Feb 2011, 07:00
Not the kind of thing you wanted to hear eh? I thought girls talked about that kind of stuff all the time. :D


A little too graphic for me at the time as I was not yet sexually active and not even sure whether I liked boys or girls. Plus, I kind of hated her boyfriend and would rather not have thought about his tackle at all.



HAHA! LOVE Steve!

This kind of reminds me of the time in H.S. when one of my best friends called me up at 3 AM to share, in detail, the fact that she's just given her first blow job.  :psyduck:

Out of pure interest, what did you say? (I am just wondering what one would say in such a situation.)

Basically a lot of "Uh huh" and "Really?" with the occasional "Oh, wow." thrown in. I mean, she basically just wanted someone to listen to her.



Not the kind of thing you wanted to hear eh? I thought girls talked about that kind of stuff all the time. :D
Uh, as far as I know, women dont talk that much about sex with each other.

Well, as far as I know ... I'm a man, so what do I know about that, anyway.

Women do talk about sex with each other quite a bit. It's one of the things I find most disturbing when my family gets together at my grandmother's house on Sundays. Not many of the husbands come with my aunts, so there is minimal male presence in the house and most of them are under 16. My aunts, cousins and mom start tossing out innuendo and double entendres and eventually end up smack in the middle TMI territory. There are just some things a person doesn't want to know about their mother.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Taigan on 16 Feb 2011, 07:03
In my imagination, the next moment has Marten breaking down in tears sobbing "I remember when Dora used to do that!"
:evil:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 16 Feb 2011, 07:39
Sweet tits.

That's what I am hoping for.

http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1690

Hair is a bit of a different shade, but maybe she dyes it from whatever her natural is?



Not likely, different universe.  Besides, it probably is the girl from 1858, and she has a weaker chin.  Interesting if she strikes up a conversation at some point...

New character!  Wooooo!  and another girl...!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: StevenC on 16 Feb 2011, 09:00

So... Who is that young lady on the right in panels 1 and 2, and why does she seem to get more interested as Steve and Marten's conversation progresses.

She doesn't seem interested but looks more like "What's wrong with those guys?". And that's BEFORE Steve pops out his little story.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: onelog on 16 Feb 2011, 09:06
I may be the only one or it may just be much too early, but when I saw the girl, I immediately thought it was Hanners with a wig spying on Marten.  Eh, eh?  Somehow her OCD gets her found out and hilarity ensues!  Of course, that would mean her actually going out to a dirty bar on her own, and wearing a wig, both seem a little out of place for her.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Loki on 16 Feb 2011, 09:53
Hanners is actually an evil mastermind PRETENDING to have OCD. And she is not blonde.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mad Cat on 16 Feb 2011, 10:05
While not strictly germane, I feel the need to bring up Martin's rule about anal...

"No poo-poo on the pee-pee."

No real mention how he feels about poo-poo on the pinky, especially with they both belong to someone else.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kugai on 16 Feb 2011, 10:17
Run Marten. RUN!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 16 Feb 2011, 10:19
Classic Steve.

Never stop being awesome, Steve.  You neither, Jeph.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 16 Feb 2011, 10:27
Marten -  first do a shoulder check to verify a clear path, then run!  Clearly this is NOT what the man needs or wants for a boys night out.

Just don't share this with Hanners.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 16 Feb 2011, 10:37
Just don't share this with Hanners.

Why? Because she might turn up at Cosette's place with a cleaver and a surgical kit as well as some alcohol wipes? Nothing says funny like an amateur amputation. I mean, look at that film 127 hours, pure comedy gold.  :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cesariojpn on 16 Feb 2011, 11:02
Sweet tits.

That's what I am hoping for.

http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1690

Hair is a bit of a different shade, but maybe she dyes it from whatever her natural is?



Not likely, different universe.  Besides, it probably is the girl from 1858, and she has a weaker chin.  Interesting if she strikes up a conversation at some point...

Wait, this doesn't count? (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1194)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 16 Feb 2011, 12:19
That tactical TMI just nuked martens mind judging from panel 6

Given other TMI (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1697) incidents, I seriously doubt anything can faze Martin. After all, his Mom was a kinky little minx.....
Marten seemed shaken enough about the trout incident (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=441).
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Heliphyneau on 16 Feb 2011, 12:42
Bahahaha!   :laugh:  OK, whether Marten is actually phased by the topic at hand (*snerk*) or not, I think his reaction can largely be tied to 1. he wasn't expecting the abrupt topic change, and 2. he may not have wanted that specific an image of Steve and Cosette in his head.  Steve's complete lack of self-awareness (particularly his "I never have that kinda problem" statement) is hilarious, as usual.

I only see beers on the bar at this point.  If they progress to shots, that could change the direction of their evening.

*pictures them waking up on a frathouse floor next to the 3 pop-shirted bros*

*shudders*
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Watched Pot on 16 Feb 2011, 20:33
I mean really, what grown man calls oral sex a "BJ" or refers to his own asshole as "you know?"
  A lot of them? Especially early-to-mid 20's grown men?

What would you prefer? "I was receiving fellatio from a consenting sex partner when she, in an attempt to increase stimulation, inserted the first phalanx of her index finger into my anus?"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: maddness on 16 Feb 2011, 20:57
I think akronnick prefers Steve to use the words blow job and ass hole like an adult.

Made me think of this youtube comedy video where the female character tell the guy "I'm totally gonna s your d!"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 16 Feb 2011, 21:21
<Sigh> The little bird has flown away.....Right into the clutches of the Padma-grine Falcon.

Nice to see Marten with a smile.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: iusticanun on 16 Feb 2011, 21:23
Indian Dora! Hooray!
Go, man, go.
:-P
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: St.Clair on 16 Feb 2011, 21:38
I suppose that's one solution.  If you don't have access to an actual cloning machine.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: sirisaacnuton on 16 Feb 2011, 21:47
Indian Dora! Hooray!
Go, man, go.
:-P

Glad I'm not the only one who thought that.  And does it look like she's sitting with Indian Tai?  (Or perhaps that's Thai?)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 16 Feb 2011, 21:48
"I was receiving fellatio from a consenting sex partner when she, in an attempt to increase stimulation, inserted the first phalanx of her index finger into my anus?"
This board is so educational for an ESL type like me. I thought a phalanx was a formation of spearmen or similar (riot police for example), and phalange was the word for a "segment" of a finger. I looked it up however, and Watched Pot's usage is correct! Phalanx is the singular, and phalanges is the plural. Phalange is listed as an alternative to phalanx, but it is apparently a back-formation from phalanges. I knew none of this before today.

Padma looks excited, Marten looks happy, but dark-Faye/Tai (did we decide on a name for her?) looks decidedly unenthusiastic. And is the barman Will? I don't think the work is suiting him; he looks thin and drawn.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: valis_kr3 on 16 Feb 2011, 21:49
Called it.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Somebody on 16 Feb 2011, 21:54
Straight from Dora to Anti-Dora? Rebound rebound man...

Padma looks excited, Marten looks happy, but dark-Faye/Tai (did we decide on a name for her?) looks decidedly unenthusiastic.
Anti-Faye/Angus' ex (with a Cosette streak judging from her intro) is Renee (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1859).
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: BarcodeBuster on 16 Feb 2011, 21:56
Strangely, my brain went "Oh crap!  It's her!" before it went "Aww, Marten might have his chance now."

But then again, with Marten's luck, she's probably waving at someone else.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: bicostp on 16 Feb 2011, 21:57
Padma looks excited, Marten looks happy, but dark-Faye/Tai (did we decide on a name for her?) looks decidedly unenthusiastic. And is the barman Will? I don't think the work is suiting him; he looks thin and drawn.

It's Renee, apparently. #1859 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1859)

That's Wil, alright. Don't worry about him too much, he's always been thin (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1205), and there would be a lot of questions to ask if he wasn't drawn.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CEOIII on 16 Feb 2011, 22:24
Marten and PsuDora? I'm down.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: JackFaerie on 16 Feb 2011, 22:38
Uh, as far as I know, women dont talk that much about sex with each other.

Well, as far as I know ... I'm a man, so what do I know about that, anyway.

Women do talk about sex with each other quite a bit. It's one of the things I find most disturbing when my family gets together at my grandmother's house on Sundays. Not many of the husbands come with my aunts, so there is minimal male presence in the house and most of them are under 16. My aunts, cousins and mom start tossing out innuendo and double entendres and eventually end up smack in the middle TMI territory. There are just some things a person doesn't want to know about their mother.

Ohhhhh sweet naive snubnose.  :laugh: Women do talk about sex all the time. In detail. It's something quite interesting--most women would find it extremely upsetting if they learned their boyfriend told his male buddies sexual details about them (what kind of technique they like in oral sex, the taste of their secretions, the shape of their genitalia, etc) but man oh man do we talk about that sort of stuff ALL THE TIME within ourselves. I try to not give out too many details regarding my own partners because I'm not fond of the double standard, and it's actually a bit odd sometimes when everyone else is sharing. And yes. Quite commonly my female friends will discuss: the exact size and shape of their boyfriend's penis, how long it takes him to come, taste, technique, specific erogenous zones or turn-ons, etc etc etc. Also, women tend to relate funny/embarassing sex stories among themselves. We do talk about our own stuff too, from body image issues to discussing what WE like in bed and exchanging sex tips, so it's not always focused on the menz, but... yeah. Sex talk is very very common. I'm sometimes a bit disturbed at the fact that I know the penile size of most of my friends' boyfriends and often their preferred kinks, when sometimes I've hardly shared more than a few conversations with them.


As far as this comic... auuuugh mindboggle! I cannot tell if I WANT Marten to hook up with Padma or not. It seems such a bad/creepy/weird idea, and yet... she seems nice and pretty? And some of the same things that make it weird/creepy/not-smart would make it interesting, too?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: westrim on 16 Feb 2011, 22:51
And now Steve gets the first documented case of AIDS via eye.

Drinking wine in a bar? My kind of lady. I am totally down with Padma becoming a member of the cast, and not just because she's one letter off a Star Wars character. Marten could even get fed up with being a buttlonkey and pull a Vader.

Also, Jack, were you expecting deep and correct insights out of Snub?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 16 Feb 2011, 22:54
How many Fayes is Padma?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Delator on 16 Feb 2011, 22:55
I have another Theory Which Shall Not Be Named...


...gods I hope this one pans out. It would be epic awesome.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Feb 2011, 23:00
Ah Steve, your going to make a great dad one day. Not anytime soon mind, but one day.

In the meantime, only Admiral Ackbar can rescue Marten now.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 16 Feb 2011, 23:03
How many Fayes is Padma?

A bit hard to tell... I'd say about 0.89 Fayes or so. She's quite a bit skinnier, but about half a head taller, after all.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Coffee_Kaioken on 16 Feb 2011, 23:09
Something is telling me that this cannot possibly end well.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mojo on 16 Feb 2011, 23:11
Uh, as far as I know, women dont talk that much about sex with each other.

Well, as far as I know ... I'm a man, so what do I know about that, anyway.

Women do talk about sex with each other quite a bit. It's one of the things I find most disturbing when my family gets together at my grandmother's house on Sundays. Not many of the husbands come with my aunts, so there is minimal male presence in the house and most of them are under 16. My aunts, cousins and mom start tossing out innuendo and double entendres and eventually end up smack in the middle TMI territory. There are just some things a person doesn't want to know about their mother.

Ohhhhh sweet naive snubnose.  :laugh: Women do talk about sex all the time. In detail. It's something quite interesting--most women would find it extremely upsetting if they learned their boyfriend told his male buddies sexual details about them (what kind of technique they like in oral sex, the taste of their secretions, the shape of their genitalia, etc) but man oh man do we talk about that sort of stuff ALL THE TIME within ourselves. I try to not give out too many details regarding my own partners because I'm not fond of the double standard, and it's actually a bit odd sometimes when everyone else is sharing. And yes. Quite commonly my female friends will discuss: the exact size and shape of their boyfriend's penis, how long it takes him to come, taste, technique, specific erogenous zones or turn-ons, etc etc etc. Also, women tend to relate funny/embarassing sex stories among themselves. We do talk about our own stuff too, from body image issues to discussing what WE like in bed and exchanging sex tips, so it's not always focused on the menz, but... yeah. Sex talk is very very common. I'm sometimes a bit disturbed at the fact that I know the penile size of most of my friends' boyfriends and often their preferred kinks, when sometimes I've hardly shared more than a few conversations with them.


As far as this comic... auuuugh mindboggle! I cannot tell if I WANT Marten to hook up with Padma or not. It seems such a bad/creepy/weird idea, and yet... she seems nice and pretty? And some of the same things that make it weird/creepy/not-smart would make it interesting, too?


I call no Meemaws.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Torlek on 16 Feb 2011, 23:31
The prophecy is coming true... (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,26042.msg1009939.html#msg1009939)
I fear this will result in an epic throwdown between Dora and Padma with Faye and Renee snarking from the sidelines.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: JackFaerie on 16 Feb 2011, 23:39
Also, Jack, were you expecting deep and correct insights out of Snub?

Hahah, no but it's like... talking to Honey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXF22r-O9bo&feature=related) from that episode of HIMYM. At least this time.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 16 Feb 2011, 23:50
Something is telling me that this cannot possibly end well.

Nope, but watching an unfolding disaster can be such fun.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 16 Feb 2011, 23:58
It seems to me perfectly possible that Padma is calling Marten over on behalf of Renee.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dreyden on 17 Feb 2011, 00:00
Why is everyone assuming that Padma will just be a Dora clone? Just because they share an occupation doesn't mean they'll be clones. Who knows where Jeph will be taking this?

At the very least Martin deserves some time alone with a woman
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: snubnose on 17 Feb 2011, 00:02
At the very least Martin deserves some time alone with a woman
Err, so soon after the breakup with Dora ? Baaaaaaaad idea.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Sorflakne on 17 Feb 2011, 00:09
Hm, this'll be interesting...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 17 Feb 2011, 00:18
So, in the weeks since the breakup (remember the growth of Faye's hair, for instance), has Marten been going to tSB?  Does Padma already know he's single, or has she only seen him before with Hanners?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 17 Feb 2011, 00:56
Man whatever so maybe Padma could be a little like Dora, that might just be Marten's type. Besides which, she's been lovely so far!

...oh God no do not do the Renee thing though Marten
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 17 Feb 2011, 01:06
Marten said:
Quote
I'll be right back.

No.

You won't.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Loki on 17 Feb 2011, 01:10
Uhm.... has anyone actually considered that Padme might be the girl ChunkyGuy is afraid to ask out (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1845)?

My drama senses are tingling  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 17 Feb 2011, 01:22
Err, so soon after the breakup with Dora ? Baaaaaaaad idea.

What is "soon" for you? Do you know how much time has passed since the breakup? Because I have no idea..

Marten's smile is possible the best thing I've seen in this comic since a long time ago. It's like "hey... I can move on!"
I don't know about you guys, but I felt glad with that smile, probably the first time Jeph has done something that hits home. Good done Jeph!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 17 Feb 2011, 01:26
No matter what happens next, I'm pretty sure Padma will turn out to be less of a Dora2 than she might have seemed so far. I'm rooting for a healthy Marten-Padma coupling!  8-)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Justin Alexander on 17 Feb 2011, 01:28
Why is everyone assuming that Padma will just be a Dora clone?

I don't particularly.

But Marten described her as being the "alternate universe Dora". And any decision process which starts with "that girl reminds me of my ex" and ends with "I think I'll try to hook up with her" is unlikely to end well.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 17 Feb 2011, 01:34
Why is everyone assuming that Padma will just be a Dora clone? Just because they share an occupation doesn't mean they'll be clones.

It all stems from the Bizarro Seinfeld moment when Marten and Hanners found The Secret Bakery.  People have a preconceived expectation that Padma really is PseuDora; I think she could be more of a true Bizarro Dora (opposing characteristics).

Speculation never really pans out how you expect, but here are my takeaways from today's comic:

- Padma is out with her co-workers/underlings/friends for a drink; specifically, Renee and Mopey Male Barista (who still looks mopey from the back).
- Marten in Panel 2 and Padma in Panel 3 -- they are catching each others' eye from across the room.  Padma, in particular, has tuned out of whatever conversation Renee is trying to engage her in once she notices Marten.
- Padma in Panel 4 is actively giving positive social signs to Marten, with the nice smile and wave.  She has either gotten to know him as a customer, and is waving over a new friend, or is happy to see "that cute boy" in a social setting outside of her work.
- Padma gets bonus "maturity" points (I use quotes because you really never know) for the white sweater (especially next to Renee's flannel REALLY IT IS NO LONGER THE NINETIES RENEE and MMB's t-shirt) and the glass of wine.  She presents a more secure front; she pretty much seems the polar opposite of former goth metal chick with hella insecurities.
- Wherever it goes from here, Marten is responding to positive attention from a woman lady.

WAY too early for the rampant speculation, but I like the idea of a relationship arc for Marten that has him grow up a little.

D

EDIT: too much use of "specifically".  Do not write at 3:30AM.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: anabatica on 17 Feb 2011, 01:36
Why is everyone assuming that he's going over there to flirt with her? This is Marten we're talking about. I think it's much more likely his thought process is 'Oh hey, those are the people who work at that bakery! I'm gonna go say hi!' and if anything romantic is going to come out of this it will be long and drawn out and involve considerable urging from Steve.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 17 Feb 2011, 01:43
Not to mention considerable nudging from Padma herself.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odal on 17 Feb 2011, 01:45
Uhm.... has anyone actually considered that Padme might be the girl ChunkyGuy is afraid to ask out (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1845)?

My drama senses are tingling  :psyduck:
No.  "ChunkyGuy" is sitting right next to her, I think.  I doubt she would be so messed up in the head that she would wave another guy over while hanging out with the guy who asked her out.  Especially a coworker.  Or maybe she's in a desperate, "Save me from boring ChunkyGuy" mode and is using Marten as a decoy.  That'd be awfully sinister.

I would like to have a good feeling about Padma- I think she's one of the cutest females Jeph has drawn.  Probably because shoulder length hair is pretty long, considering the hair of the main QC women.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 17 Feb 2011, 01:51
Uhm.... has anyone actually considered that Padme might be the girl ChunkyGuy is afraid to ask out (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1845)?

My drama senses are tingling  :psyduck:
No.  "ChunkyGuy" is sitting right next to her, I think.  I doubt she would be so messed up in the head that she would wave another guy over while hanging out with the guy who asked her out.  Especially a coworker.  Or maybe she's in a desperate, "Save me from boring ChunkyGuy" mode and is using Marten as a decoy.  That'd be awfully sinister.

This strip (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1847) seems to indicate that MMB's subject of angst is not actually in the store next to him.  He probably would not be mopily texting/checking texts/reading depressing FaceBook status updates from co-workers who were physically present in the same location.

And Padma's expressions in today's strip certainly don't look like "please save me from the unwanted attentions of my tablemate."

D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 17 Feb 2011, 02:09
Odal - ChunkyGuy was too scared to ask her out (presuming this was Padma they were referring to) so he probably hasn't done it and she may not know.

Mind you the tenor of this episode compared to the previous two seems quite different to me. Perhaps Marten is still caTMItonic his subconcious is finally giving him what he's always wanted. This offers a couple of options. Either Padma is waving to someone else and this is going to get awkward, Marten is still in his chair and this is a Final Destination style premonition or the tSB crew are not actually in the bar, Marten's mind has finally broken and he's about to proposition Tai and Jimbo.

More likely that I'm just misreading the wide, glazed eyes.

Edited to remove evidence of NP fixation, thanks Mr. Hodges
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: PureLionHeart on 17 Feb 2011, 02:52
GOOD GOD MARTEN, NO!

I'm heading to a bunker, this has disaster written all over it. END OF DAYS-level disaster.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 17 Feb 2011, 02:53
Why is everyone assuming that he's going over there to flirt with her? This is Marten we're talking about. I think it's much more likely his thought process is 'Oh hey, those are the people who work at that bakery! I'm gonna go say hi!' and if anything romantic is going to come out of this it will be long and drawn out and involve considerable urging from Steve.

did you see the smile.....the smile man!  look at it!

he's so totally girlnotized


but..way...way...way...way to soon, he's gona get so much flak for this
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odal on 17 Feb 2011, 02:55
Odal - ChunkyGuy was too scared to ask her out (presuming this was Padme they were referring to) so he probably hasn't done it and she may not know.
Well, it was a hypothetical situation.  They are "going out," perhaps as friends, so it's not a matter of him being too afraid to ask her out.  It could be that he has a crush on her and doesn't want to tell her, but he has not said this and there's a difference between a crush and wanting to ask someone out.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheBiscuit on 17 Feb 2011, 03:01
Padma looks excited, Marten looks happy, but dark-Faye/Tai (did we decide on a name for her?) looks decidedly unenthusiastic. And is the barman Will? I don't think the work is suiting him; he looks thin and drawn.
Could it be that Renee has shared with Padma her feelings of attraction for the cute (sometime customer) boy over by the bar, and that Padma has decided to call the boy over in an attempt to help Renee overcome her feelings of shyness? A momentary look of shock and displeasure might be the expected result, even if she does like Marten.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Jimor on 17 Feb 2011, 03:09
but..way...way...way...way to soon, he's gona get so much flak for this

How is "WEEKS" way too soon?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 17 Feb 2011, 03:26
two weeks after a relationship serious enough for dora to move in?

two months is just about what you'd expect i guess, especially from a wuss like marten
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 17 Feb 2011, 03:58
Two weeks is perfectly reasonable to be friendly with a new girl.  It doesn't have to start as more than that.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 17 Feb 2011, 04:06
Two weeks is perfectly reasonable to be friendly with a new girl.  It doesn't have to start as more than that.

the smile man the smile!!



he's all padma hurr durr in that expression....
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odin on 17 Feb 2011, 04:08
What the hell is everyone focusing so much on Padma for? pwhodges already mentioned this and it makes far more sense, but, if Marten was going to go for a doppleganger character he'd go for Renee.

You know, the Faye-clone that such a big deal was made about in the comic recently?

Christ, people. Marten still carries a torch for Faye, after all, why wouldn't he go for someone just like her given the chance (and what better way for Jeph to throw in more drama than bring about the critical mass of it we'll get when Faye finds out Marten is interested in her, especially given how she reacted when Padma brought her up that way?).
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 17 Feb 2011, 04:13
It occurred to me that anything that comes of this is likely to make its way back to CoD via the grapevine... Wil mentions seeing Marten hanging out with Padma to Penelope, who lets it slip at the workplace.   Steve may have a "bro code" which would prevent him from spilling Marten's secrets to Cosette, but Wil is under no such constraints.

I do like that Jeph's established the pre-existing character link via Angus -- there are multiple conduits through which to gradually weave the new cast members in.  And perhaps eventually we'll get MMB's story.

D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 17 Feb 2011, 04:29
I'd be happy with a name for MMB.  Back story would be nice too, though. 

And I think I made the same point Odin did, but in another thread.  I pesonally like the TheBiscuit's theory.  Padma's sick as hell of Renee's crankiness and is attempting a matchmaking episode. 

Hijinks ensue, of course...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cyro on 17 Feb 2011, 04:52
two weeks after a relationship serious enough for dora to move in?

two months is just about what you'd expect i guess, especially from a wuss like marten

Coul this be.. no, it couldn't. Could it?

Not... Character development.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odal on 17 Feb 2011, 04:53
Padma's sick as hell of Renee's crankiness and is attempting a matchmaking episode.
If that is what she's planning then I think that's the last thing on Marten's mind.

In the early strips it wasn't Faye's abusive nature or crankiness that made him attracted to her.  They shared interests and could talk about stuff.  I do remember some strips where Marten spoke of his attraction to her physically as well.  Renee doesn't have the same curvy body shape as Faye, and there's a good chance that their personalities don't really connect.  I don't buy the thought that he's attracted to abusive women.  Rather he was attracted to Faye for other reasons.


EDIT:
Quote
there's a good chance that their personalities don't really connect.
On second thought, I can't say Dora and Marten even had wonderfully connecting personalities.  Marten doesn't seem to have much a of a specific or strong personality... he's just a nice guy.  But I guess all it takes is two people who want to be in a relationship to make that relationship happen.  So, who knows...?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: snubnose on 17 Feb 2011, 05:18
Err, so soon after the breakup with Dora ? Baaaaaaaad idea.

What is "soon" for you? Do you know how much time has passed since the breakup? Because I have no idea..

Marten's smile is possible the best thing I've seen in this comic since a long time ago. It's like "hey... I can move on!"
I don't know about you guys, but I felt glad with that smile, probably the first time Jeph has done something that hits home. Good done Jeph!
Its not good if you immediately jump into the next relationship after the last one failed. You need some time to think things through. Especially find out why the previous relationship failed. So you might not repeat the same errors the next time.

Otherwise Dora will turn into just another "They're all crazy" (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=755).

And about time ... I dunno, maybe a week or two ? Not more than three.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: BryanP on 17 Feb 2011, 05:25
Suddenly I'm reminded of a line from Christopher Titus Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding.


And ladies, we men don't have a post-breakup 2-week eat-cookies-and-cry period.  We've got a 'I'm gonna go out and find a woman who looks just like you and @#$%^ her just to prove I don't need you!' period. 


Granted, that didn't work so well for him.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 17 Feb 2011, 05:43
Getting back to Wil, I'm really not liking the patch of hair under the lip - go for the full muttonchops or Victorian Army style campaign beard - something thick enough to hide a badger in.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Feb 2011, 06:07
Bros before...?

Hoes.    - 17 (13.8%)
Shoes.    - 1 (0.8%)
Nose.    - 1 (0.8%)
Crows.    - 5 (4.1%)
Ploughs!    - 4 (3.3%)
Pink Popped Shirted Guidos.    - 27 (22%)
Tau Sigma Rhos.    - 2 (1.6%)
Oh Noes!    - 20 (16.3%)
UMASSholes!    - 6 (4.9%)
Wait - WHAT Wedding?    - 19 (15.4%)
Waffle-Os!    - 21 (17.1%)

Total Voters: 123
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 17 Feb 2011, 06:17
Other, another slap for stareage
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: tbones on 17 Feb 2011, 06:21
Come ON guys! he's going to talk to a gal in a bar! How in anyone's world is starting a new relationship? :mrgreen:

Otherwise Dora will turn into just another "They're all crazy" (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=755).

Ok, i don't mean to pry about an old old theme, but Dora was a liiiiiitle paranoic about the relationship.

Not that i'm saying that Marteen is without guilt, just saying...


Coul this be.. no, it couldn't. Could it?

Not... Character development.  :psyduck:

No! This will be a DISASTER! Everyone run for their liveeeees!!! :psyduck:


...
Okay enough joking around, i really enjoyed today's comic, that was a genuine happy smile from Marteen!  :lol:
And also... Isn't tears a bodily fluid too?

*EDIT*
uhm, it's been a while since i came here buuut, what's BBD? 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 17 Feb 2011, 06:34
I don't buy the idea that Padma is waving to Marten in order to set him up with anyone else - she looks pretty fascinated, and not at all like she is planning on passing him on to Renee once he comes over. But we'll see soon enough.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: someone1074 on 17 Feb 2011, 06:49
Hm...to me it seems like they've either become close friends in the time skip or they're interested in each other. Their faces are practically glowing (and especially considering we haven't seen Marten smile in a wihle (which Jeph acknowledges in the newspost), it's something), and the wave was pretty enthusiastic. Maybe the bar is supposed to be packed, but I didn't get that impression from what we've seen in the panels so far.

I'm not going to speculate beyond that, but judging by what we've been presented...I can't fault some of the board members for their predictions.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 17 Feb 2011, 06:57
Friendship can be enthusiastic before it goes on to anything further; all the more so when you've been feeling lonely.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 17 Feb 2011, 06:59
BBD is something like Big Bakery Dude.  For lack of a name. 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Black Sword on 17 Feb 2011, 07:06
Today's comic cheered me immensely. Marten looks genuinely happy, and I like Padma so far. Can I haz Mart-Pad ship, plz?

It would be such a nice turn for Marten.

P.S. If BBD is Big Bakery Dude aka ChunkyGuy, what's the little one with the scar's nickname?

P.S.S. Someone mentioned the first case of a guy getting AIDS through the eye. Wouldn't it be HIV, and didn't CSI have an episode where a guy did a snuff porno with an HIV-positive former porn star and got infected via his eye because of a drop of blood?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: tbones on 17 Feb 2011, 07:26
P.S. If BBD is Big Bakery Dude aka ChunkyGuy.
Thanks!!

what's the little one with the scar's nickname?

hum.. How about.... Scar?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 17 Feb 2011, 07:38
For all the naysayers about Marten daring to go to talk to Padme, there seems to have been a significant time skip, hence Steve asking Marten if he was still hung up over Dora (#1862). The keyword is still, implying that Marten has been a little funk prone for more than the expected time after the break up.

And given how Faye's hair looks "grown out" last week compared to her sleeping over at Angus', we can assume that some time has passed.

And, he's going over to a girl who has waved to him in a bar, one we can presume he has become friendly with during the time skip, they haven't made the beast with two backs, bucked the bronco or whatever terminology you want to use. Right now, its just two people in a bar, who see excited to see each other, and thats the way it'll stay until Jeph changes it, if he chooses to.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Somnus Eternus on 17 Feb 2011, 07:44
I'm just trying to clarify whether that's actually Renee next to her, because she really looks like Tai and not much at all like Faye, or if Renee is someone else we still haven't met that works a different shift.

Also, Marten: when getting friendly (or maybe that should be "getting friendly") with your ex's clone, proceed with caution, bro.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 17 Feb 2011, 08:01
eh yeah...thats renee alright, she's not even close to tai appearance wise...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 17 Feb 2011, 08:02
I see what you mean but if you compare the as yet unnamed female employee from 1845 with Faye in 1857 and 1858 then you'll see some marked similarities that could justify the correlation made by Dora.

On the other hand, if tSB is supposed to mirror CoD then counterpoints would exist for five people (Dora, Faye, Penelope, Hannelore, Cosette) and we have so far only seen Padma, BBD, Scarneck (isn't this a tattoo?) and giant blender burner so you could be right.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 17 Feb 2011, 08:04
We don't know what the name of the young lady to Padma's right is we haven't been formally introduced yet.

All that has happened is that we know one of the other employees of TSB is named Renee and used to date Angus.  People have extrapolated that the young lady referred to is the one pictured today, but we have inferred that this is who it is.  Maybe tomorrow we will have confirmation, or it'll be a cut to a single panel comic - BBD lying on the bar floor, Marten nursing an obviously painful stomach, with Steve being escorted from the premises by Wil with the line, "I know he's your friend, but you can't just go hitting people like that."  And the girls looking horrified.

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mabus_Zero on 17 Feb 2011, 08:11
So Steve gets pink-eye from that rag next story arc, right?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 17 Feb 2011, 08:12
if tSB is supposed to mirror CoD then counterpoints would exist for five people

I really do think this is being taken too far, being based on nothing more than Marten's original comment about the atmosphere when he first went to tSB.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 17 Feb 2011, 08:19
Thank you Pwhodges. 


Kind of like how fans hang on the words of Trek Characters as if they speak the Gospel Truth.


Kirk says something happened in this time period...  say a hundred years ago.       They show it in TNG as having happened 110 years and nine days ago.    SUDDENLY THERE IS MUCH WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.    It can get ugly trust me.  ;)


 It's SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY that we are going to have a complete "alternate mirror universe"   CoD.    In fact the signs are already showing that this is not the case.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Stoutfellow on 17 Feb 2011, 08:20
Quote
All that has happened is that we know one of the other employees of TSB is named Renee and used to date Angus.  People have extrapolated that the young lady referred to is the one pictured today, but we have inferred that this is who it is.

"About 19 hours ago", Jeph tweeted that he planned to tweak Renee's skin color, possibly in tonight's [i.e., today's] strip. I'd say the inference is a pretty strong one on that basis.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 17 Feb 2011, 08:30
if tSB is supposed to mirror CoD then counterpoints would exist for five people

I really do think this is being taken too far, being based on nothing more than Marten's original comment about the atmosphere when he first went to tSB.

To be fair, I wasn't basing that on Marten's original comment but on common forum parlance. Secondly, I was only using it to dispell the notion that the current other woman that we have seen from tSB has to be a) Renee and b) therefore some presumed counterpoint Faye. Thus proving that the current round of speculations didn't strictly stand up. I don't see what is so unreasonable about using a viewpoint against itself to demonstrate it's poor quality.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 17 Feb 2011, 08:32
OK, you did say "if".  Anyway, that line will die quick enough as new information emerges.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 17 Feb 2011, 08:33
A little off topic, and a little off kilter, but whats funny for me is that we use the abbreviation tSB, which always reminds me of these guys (https://www.permanenttsb.ie/) who used to be known as TSB.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: someone1074 on 17 Feb 2011, 08:39
I really do think this is being taken too far, being based on nothing more than Marten's original comment about the atmosphere when he first went to tSB.

You see nothing in the character designs? At all? I mean that might just have been done for fun, but I think that's definitely fueling some of the comparisons too.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 17 Feb 2011, 08:42
You can always find some individual similarities; that doesn't mean they add up to anything.

(FWIW, I work in clinical trials, so I have quite some awareness of the ease with which wrong conclusions can be conjured out of patterns in dust.)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 17 Feb 2011, 08:48
Its not good if you immediately jump into the next relationship after the last one failed. You need some time to think things through. Especially find out why the previous relationship failed. So you might not repeat the same errors the next time.

Otherwise Dora will turn into just another "They're all crazy" (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=755).

And about time ... I dunno, maybe a week or two ? Not more than three.

yeah yeah I agree, but it's common sense so.. meh. The thing is that we DO NOT know how the timeline goes in QC. Come on... From one comic to another we got SNOW and Dora with pretty long blonde hair, that doesn't happen within "a week or two". This could have easily been a month after the breakup at least.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: someone1074 on 17 Feb 2011, 08:51
I recognize that it's not necessarily determinant of anything as I qualified that it might have just been done for humor's sake. My statement was more suggesting the possibility that it's also the character designs that are fueling the speculation.

Essentially, I'm giving the members the benefit of the doubt in believing their postulation is based on more than a single line of dialogue that I, personally, hadn't remembered. Similar character designs and similar characterization however...that would be far more reasonable, even if it is still somewhat presumptuous.

And again, I don't even agree with them...I just disagree with the belief that it was all based on one line of dialogue.

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mad Cat on 17 Feb 2011, 09:27
In my lexicon, those two characters will forever be Pseu-Dora and Faux-Faye.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: LeeC on 17 Feb 2011, 09:32
Padma does not equal Dora.  They just seem similar for that CoD and tSB joke.  We know nothing of her actual personality and for all we know she is the Marten of tSB as it appears they hire both sex and not just females.  I am interested in how this turns out.

And on the Renee situation.  My guess is Jeph could have been doing an insight of what would have happened if faye and marten got together.  As faye currently is more stable and if Jeph did want to do a mirror-mirror thing then its only right to have Renee still be unstable.  Would that mean Padma actually could relate to marten, not insecure about relationships, have a lower sex drive, and approach a prospective guy without worrying if its been enough time?  Perhaps we will find out tomorrow.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: billydaking on 17 Feb 2011, 09:33

And, he's going over to a girl who has waved to him in a bar, one we can presume he has become friendly with during the time skip, they haven't made the beast with two backs, bucked the bronco or whatever terminology you want to use. Right now, its just two people in a bar, who see excited to see each other, and thats the way it'll stay until Jeph changes it, if he chooses to.

Actually, I think the idea that they've become friendly is reading too much into this. Marten was in her shop as a customer, she then sees him in a casual setting a couple of weeks later. If she thought he was cute and would like to meet him again to get to know him (which is what her expression says to me), she smiles and waves at him when he looks over. Marten sees a woman he kinda sorta met before wanting to say hi to him, which is a very nice switch for him after the past few weeks.

This is how people meet each other.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Skewbrow on 17 Feb 2011, 10:12
Presumably Marten has been getting his daily caffeine at tSB for the last couple of weeks. He could easily know Padma and her entire staff by now. So recognizing a familiar dude she waves at him from across the room. Or may be the next strip will include a round of introductions. Let's just wait.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 17 Feb 2011, 10:35
BBD is something like Big Bakery Dude.  For lack of a name.  

What about MMB, then?  (used here:)

I'd be happy with a name for MMB.  Back story would be nice too, though.  

And I think I made the same point Odin did, but in another thread.  I pesonally like the TheBiscuit's theory.  Padma's sick as hell of Renee's crankiness and is attempting a matchmaking episode.  

Hijinks ensue, of course...

Also: HOORAY for Secret Bakery people hopefully becoming regulars and HOORAY for Happy Marten!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 17 Feb 2011, 10:39
A little off topic, and a little off kilter, but whats funny for me is that we use the abbreviation tSB, which always reminds me of these guys (https://www.permanenttsb.ie/) who used to be known as TSB.

Personally, I preferred the other rhyme TNG (http://www.youtube.com/user/Chuckcon&IP=131.137.245.20). 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: LeeC on 17 Feb 2011, 10:46
woaw, what if Padma likes marten, BBD likes Padma, Renee likes BBD  :psyduck:

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: tbones on 17 Feb 2011, 12:05
Meh, we've been through worse

(Dora likes Marten, Marten likes Faye, Faye hooks up with Sven who is Dora's brother) :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: khendron on 17 Feb 2011, 12:26
You can always find some individual similarities; that doesn't mean they add up to anything.

(FWIW, I work in clinical trials, so I have quite some awareness of the ease with which wrong conclusions can be conjured out of patterns in dust.)

One Renee/Faye similarity that I find very striking is, in Renee's first appearance she walks in off-frame to say that something is on fire. This is Faye-ism that Jeph has used many times, especially in the early comics (e.g., "The TV melted", "The bookshelf is on fire", "The cappuccino machine is on fire...").
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 17 Feb 2011, 12:36
What about MMB, then? 
Something like Mopey Muscular Boy, I forget what exactly.

If Angus's description of Renee is for real, and if Marten falls for her, I'm gonna call the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Characters.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cesariojpn on 17 Feb 2011, 12:42
So Steve gets pink-eye from that rag next story arc, right?

Wait......

*checks archives*

HOREY SHYTE!!! (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1550) Steve is a goner. (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1551) Death by rags.

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 17 Feb 2011, 14:04
What about MMB, then? 
Something like Mopey Muscular Boy, I forget what exactly.

Mopey Male Barista.  That one was mine.

D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Feb 2011, 14:35
For all the naysayers about Marten daring to go to talk to Padme, there seems to have been a significant time skip, hence Steve asking Marten if he was still hung up over Dora (#1862). The keyword is still, implying that Marten has been a little funk prone for more than the expected time after the break up.

And given how Faye's hair looks "grown out" last week compared to her sleeping over at Angus', we can assume that some time has passed.

And, he's going over to a girl who has waved to him in a bar, one we can presume he has become friendly with during the time skip, they haven't made the beast with two backs, bucked the bronco or whatever terminology you want to use. Right now, its just two people in a bar, who see excited to see each other, and thats the way it'll stay until Jeph changes it, if he chooses to.

I just noticed something: look at Hanners' hair in 1855, then to 1856.

That's where your timeskip was.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kugai on 17 Feb 2011, 14:51
"This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 17 Feb 2011, 15:12
Either that, or "Round up the usual suspects"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 17 Feb 2011, 15:38
"I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that there's GAMBLING in this establishment!!"

"Your winnings, sir."

"Oh, thank you."



As for what's going on:

It has been WEEKS since the break up, according to Marten in comic #1861. That could be anything from 14 days to two months, but the dialogue in 1861 suggests that Marten at least feels that enough time has passed that he should at least think about ladies other than Dora.

Also as someone pointed out, both Hanners's and Faye's hairstyles have changed.

It has still not been established in continuity that the girl with short hair and glasses to Padma's right in today's comic is in fact Renee, but it seems logical to make that assumption given what we have seen.

Now, in today's comic, Marten and Padma both seem excited to see each other. Whether this leads to a new romance remains to be seen, but...

And to everyone who says that a Marten/Padma thing can only end badly, I have to ask, Isn't that true of all relationships?

I mean if a relationship means anything at all, it's sad when it ends, and it will end eventually, either with a break up or a funeral.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 17 Feb 2011, 15:40
I just noticed something: look at Hanners' hair in 1855, then to 1856.

That's where your timeskip was.

Ah, you are indeed correct, good eye.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 17 Feb 2011, 15:48
Indeed!  Good eye! 

And good art too!   :)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Feb 2011, 18:42
Another thing I just noticed from today's (1864) comic: It looks like Renee (and do NOT get me started; it's all but confirmed that that is her name) is saying, "Well, stop staring at him and invite him over here already."

Meanwhile, BBD is busy texting this "friend" of his.

EDIT: Oh, one more thing: notice how quickly the intoxication bubbles disappeared over Marten's head in yesterday's (1863) comic after Steve dropped the BJ TMI on him...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Torlek on 17 Feb 2011, 19:11
It's amazing how quickly catatonic horror can sober you up.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Melauren on 17 Feb 2011, 19:22
I just noticed something: look at Hanners' hair in 1855, then to 1856.

That's where your timeskip was.

Except... it's only been [a few?] weeks.  How fast does Hanners's hair GROW?

I mean, you're probably right, but it does seem odd.

Edit: just noticed that the guy you replied to did mention hair and suggested a longer time skip.  Still, I'm going with what Jeph said in the text... "Well I mean, it's been WEEKS".  If it had been longer than, like, five or six weeks, he'd have said months.

</pickypickypicky>
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: IanClark on 17 Feb 2011, 20:17
Anyone else feel like Renée's not so much Faye's doppelganger as she is an evil twin? Between her limited appearances and Angus' description of her several hundred strips ago, she seems bitchier, more apathetic and more selfish. It's almost like she's more a point of contrast than similarity.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: SJCrew on 17 Feb 2011, 22:57
"Who's your cute friend over at the bar?"

ROFL

Padma is just too awesome.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Torlek on 17 Feb 2011, 23:01
The girl just doesn't have social filters, sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes not.
At least now ChunkyGuy has a name. Elliot works for him. Sounds particularly downtrodden and mopey.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 17 Feb 2011, 23:03
Sigh! I had hoped for some good times for Marten for once. Guess that's not possible, then...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: CEOIII on 17 Feb 2011, 23:08
Upside: Alt-Faye and PseuDora have names!
Downside: Marten gets shot down, before he even gets off the runway.

Then again......Renee is right there..........
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 17 Feb 2011, 23:17
So far, Renee hasn't seemed much of an alternative, IMO. But then again, she hasn't been explored much yet.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: ZERO on 17 Feb 2011, 23:28
-reads today's comic-

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Wraith11B on 17 Feb 2011, 23:33
My reaction was more of a "oh for fuck's sake already..."
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: snubnose on 17 Feb 2011, 23:36
Yay, Comic !

I have to say Padma seems to be the time efficient type of woman. Right to the point !
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: iduguphergrave on 17 Feb 2011, 23:45
Hmm we seem to have a big ol' clue as to who Elliot (nice name!) is pining for....but where's the 4th Secret Bakery guy? The one with the tattoo on his neck? I hope we get to meet him next week.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pendrake on 17 Feb 2011, 23:49
For comic #1865...

1. Yay for more names to Secret Bakery faces.

- a) "Dora" = Padma
- b) "Faye" = Renee
- c) "beefy guy" / "Marten" or "Steve(...?  Steve has gotten beefier since his super-spy stint)" = Elliot
- d) "neck-scar guy" = [yet to be introduced / named]

2. I think the really interesting twist will be if we jump perspectives to those of The Secret Bakery cast, seeing Coffee of Doom (and company) from their point-of-view.

3. It will also be interesting to see how these characters will evolve, persona and art-wise, considering Jeph's style(s)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: foolsguinea on 18 Feb 2011, 00:03
Oh, I didn't see this poll until we already had the answer. So I just went with, "She wants the phone number of his friend," even though I hadn't anticipated that. Sorry.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Sorflakne on 18 Feb 2011, 00:03
I'll admit, I laughed at today's (Friday) comic.  And it's hard to tell who's more shocked.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 18 Feb 2011, 00:24
i like padma even more now, either she is completely oblivious to martens intrest or doesnt give a damn and just wants to meet steve
taken as she also seems oblivious to elliotl (which might have other reasons, but still) i think its the first


Uhm.... has anyone actually considered that Padme might be the girl ChunkyGuy is afraid to ask out (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1845)?

My drama senses are tingling  :psyduck:

nice call, i think its pretty clear from today comic
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Blackjoker on 18 Feb 2011, 00:26
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Marten Reed, the Chamber Pot of Fate!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: PureLionHeart on 18 Feb 2011, 00:41
That was actually a much milder disaster than I expected.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Akima on 18 Feb 2011, 00:47
Poor Marten.  He gets knocked down, he gets back up again... Or should that be the other way round?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 18 Feb 2011, 00:51
Once again, Jeph shows that all the forum speculation was incorrect.  

This has happened to Marten before - Cosette asked him out first, then  she saw a picture of Steve...

I know, it's not exactly the same, but if Marten wants to try to get to know any ladies, he'll be better off doing it without Steve's company...

or Sven's, for that matter.  
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 18 Feb 2011, 00:54
I find Marten a lot more likeable than either Steve or Sven, so I'm a bit disappointed. Please, Jeph, give Marten a break soon!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 18 Feb 2011, 00:56
Shit, that was painful to see  :-o
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 18 Feb 2011, 01:00
To borrow a catchphrase:

D'OHHH!!!!!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 01:12
>Padma: Execute HEARTBRKTECH Lv. 60: Wingman Killbox.

Your attempt is an overwhelming success!

Somehow, however, the young man you have pegged as wingman to the biznasty specimen of bromanity at the bar seems unduly distressed. Oh dear.


>Steve: Fondly reminisce further on Cosette's "talents."

You do so, and are completely unaware of Padma's interest. Paradoxically, this probably is better for your chances with Padma.


>Renee: Provide viable alternative for Marten's interest.

Oh hell no. Fuck no. She was too much for Angus; she is Faye x2.

Why would you even try to do that. It is like siccing a king cobra on a dude who has just learned how to be friends with a rattlesnake.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 18 Feb 2011, 01:22
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Marten Reed, the Chamber Pot of Fate!

Or in other words, the Butt Monkey.

I had a feeling he had no shot with Padma-Jeph wasn't gonna be that good to him. The way his luck runs, he's gonna end up in bed with Renee. Which sounds like a great turn of luck, until it turns out that Angus was right and Renee is the anti-Faye from hell. The resulting "relationship" from hell ends up breaking Marten worse than Faye or Dora ever could, and he swears off women for good. Not to turn gay, he simply decides that sex is no longer worth the trouble.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Blackie62 on 18 Feb 2011, 01:52
I had to create an account just to say it:

well played Mr. Jacques, well played.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cyro on 18 Feb 2011, 02:03
Quick, kick him while he's down.

Stand on his neck, it will choak the emo tears.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mustakyy on 18 Feb 2011, 02:30
Aww. Knowing his luck, this wasnt that surprising, but still, aww maaan. Seems that Lady Luck has to test her shiny new steeltoeboots somehow, and Marten seems to be wearing one big target with him...  :evil:

Poor Marten.  He gets knocked down, he gets back up again... Or should that be the other way round?

Definitely the other way round.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Feb 2011, 03:13
I know, it's not exactly the same, but if Marten wants to try to get to know any ladies, he'll be better off doing it without Steve's company...

or Sven's, for that matter.  

I was going to suggest a wingman poll but it doesn't seem like such a good idea.

Steve and Sven are already accounted for.

Hanners = limited social capacity - fail.
Marigold = limited social capacity - fail.
Cosette = risk of severe injury - fail.
Tai = wrong crowd and poor impulse control - fail.
Pintsize = Tourettes, porn, cake batter, etc... - fail.
Faye = overprotective and occaisionally violent - fail.
Dora = EPIC FAIL.
Winslow = Easily led astray and corrupted by Pintsize - fail.
Momo = far too conservative - fail.
Wil = shy poet - fail.

This leaves us with Penelope, Angus and the Roomba and frankly I'm rooting for the Roomba.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 18 Feb 2011, 03:35
Angus could do it, I guess.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Blackjoker on 18 Feb 2011, 03:36
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Marten Reed, the Chamber Pot of Fate!

Or in other words, the Butt Monkey.

I had a feeling he had no shot with Padma-Jeph wasn't gonna be that good to him. The way his luck runs, he's gonna end up in bed with Renee. Which sounds like a great turn of luck, until it turns out that Angus was right and Renee is the anti-Faye from hell. The resulting "relationship" from hell ends up breaking Marten worse than Faye or Dora ever could, and he swears off women for good. Not to turn gay, he simply decides that sex is no longer worth the trouble.


I think that seems unduly optimistic.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 18 Feb 2011, 04:00
Angus could do it, I guess.

Nope, fail there too. He's trying to start something with Faye remember? Even if he wanted to skip a night with Faye to help Marten meet ladies, he'd be too concerned with giving Faye the wrong impression to be an effective wingman, in fact Faye may insist on going out with him to "keep them out of trouble" which would be EPIC FAIL for all Marten's efforts to meet women that night.

Marten's better off just taking his chances with the Roomba. Or by himself.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 18 Feb 2011, 04:08
I don't know - I think Faye might be amused by the fact that Angus and Marten were to team up to find a woman for Marten. But maybe you're right.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Loki on 18 Feb 2011, 04:12
Momo = far too conservative - fail.

Eh, excuse me, why exactly do you think that? (I am not arguing, just wondering where you'd get that impression from.) Do you mean the "oh god you better don't go in there"-moment when Angus and Faye were making out?

I would imagine she would be programmed to be very... open-minded, considering she is an AnthroPC (Otaku Edition (tm)).
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Merlijn on 18 Feb 2011, 04:51
Oh, so THAT'S Renee... Oh wow, Padma was right, she shure is a lot like Faye.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Feb 2011, 05:01
I was referring to her appearances in 1533 and 1658, both of which have demonstrated an embaressment response in relation to sex. I guess she could be reprogrammed but then she wouldn't be Momo-tan anymore, same as reprogramming any of the non-robot characters.

Actually liking the idea of a Roomba wingman now. I reckon if a guy went into a bar and as an opening to a pick up line put a Roomba down on the counter next to a woman I could see an exchange going something like this.

Her: <raised eyebrow>
Him: It's a Roomba
Her: Why the Roomba?
Him: It's my wingman.
Her: Seriously?
Him: Genuinely a better option than all of my friends.

Conversation is started, sympathy ensues etc and back to her's for a quick cleaning of the bedroom floor if you see what I mean.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mr_Rose on 18 Feb 2011, 05:42
This is Marten, remember? Combined with the fact that the only Roomba he knows well enough to hang out with is the one that can fly, this means it's still more likely that he won't be going home with anyone; neither girl nor appliance.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Lubricus on 18 Feb 2011, 06:08
Also, the Roomba has a family now - it might not be available for bar hopping!  :laugh:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Feb 2011, 06:10
After reading today's comic, I have only one thing to say:

LOL!


Seriously. I have NEVER laughed as hard at a comic strip like this in YEARS.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: innermoppet on 18 Feb 2011, 06:34
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Marten Reed, the Chamber Pot of Fate!
Or in other words, the Butt Monkey.

Xander: Damn it! You know what? I'm sick of this crap. I'm sick of being the guy who eats insects and gets the funny syphilis. As of this moment, it's over. I'm finished being everybody's butt monkey!

Buffy: Check. No more butt monkey.

I didn't realize til' I read your comment, but Marten is The Zeppo.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Jabberwocky on 18 Feb 2011, 06:43
the only Roomba he knows well enough to hang out with is the one that can fly

So, literally a wingman, then...   :-D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Black Sword on 18 Feb 2011, 07:04
I remember someone calling for a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Characters yesterday.

This strip has turned me from a skeptic of such a society to a full blown supporter. What the hell, man. I'd be perfectly happy not to see Marten for the next six months or so, so we can see other characters who are not being so religiously screwed over by their creator. There's funny, and then there's just pure unnecessary cruelty. Cut him some kind of break already.

Sigh. Please give Marten his bottle of bourbon and pop him back in storage for a month?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: tbones on 18 Feb 2011, 07:04
My reaction for today's comic was something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t44EAsLwGWA

Maybe Marten should not relate himself to coffee/bakery shops employers/employee?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 18 Feb 2011, 07:28
I didn't realize til' I read your comment, but Marten is The Zeppo.

You mean Marten is going to defuse a bomb hidden underneath Coffee of Doom? Sweet!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 07:47
I remember someone calling for a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Characters yesterday.

This strip has turned me from a skeptic of such a society to a full blown supporter. What the hell, man. I'd be perfectly happy not to see Marten for the next six months or so, so we can see other characters who are not being so religiously screwed over by their creator. There's funny, and then there's just pure unnecessary cruelty. Cut him some kind of break already.

Sigh. Please give Marten his bottle of bourbon and pop him back in storage for a month?

...the fact that literally the first time he pays attention to a pretty lady she happens to be more interested in his buddy is hardly "unnecessary cruelty". Besides which, if Steve isn't a complete asshole (which he has so far proven not to be) this may yet turn out okay for our dear protagonist!

Cause Steve is already with Cosette and breaking her heart will earn him the same sort of punishment Sven got for the Fayetastrophe, I should hope...and Marten is Steve's BEST BRO, so perhaps he can put in some deliriously sicknasty good words for his bromo sapien.

And even if Padma doesn't work out, NoHo's a big town and a lot of the ladies so far think Marty's skinny ass is hot stuff. This is actually, to my knowledge, the first time we've seen Steve's classical hunk charms preferred by a girl.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: maddness on 18 Feb 2011, 07:51
I must say that as much of a flirt/ladies man comes off as, he's never been shown to be a cheater, so even if Padma is interested in him nothing may come of it.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 18 Feb 2011, 07:54
This is actually, to my knowledge, the first time we've seen Steve's classical hunk charms preferred by a girl.

The way Cosette yanked Steve's photo out of Marten's hand says you're wrong. 

Can't dig up the strip, though - I'm at work.  Will try to edit later if one of the other archive masters doesn't beat me to it! 

Edit for stupid spelling of "pic"
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 18 Feb 2011, 07:54
Same here, Steve seems to like the idea of being in a relationship, and seems to do what he can to stay in one once there.

Looked like Marten wasn't the only one disappointed though.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 18 Feb 2011, 08:03
Yeah, from all we've seen of Steve in relationships, he does try to make the effort to make it work. (Its just the breakups that he can't handle that well). He obviously can get a girlfriend without too much difficulty (Meena being the exception that proves the rule), but he isn't a player, and isn't out to bed every woman in the state. So yeah, it might work out well in Marten's favour, but I still see Marten and Padma striking up more of a friendship than a relationship...

...
...
...

...At least until Dora hears about it, puts two and two together and comes up with 712...

(did you see the beat lines? They were crucial to the joke!)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 08:03
Ah, but my good Carl, who was her first choice? I mean, I will eat either a filet mignon or a New York steak, to use an uncomfortably meat-based metaphor, but that does not mean that one of them might not be preferred over the other; perhaps since the mignon was taken, she went with the NY. Whereas Padma might very well want the NY but end up settling for a mignon, you see.

Okay that is probably enough meat metaphors I am starting to feel gross


And Reiver, maddness: yes, exactly! So I doubt Padma's hunk lust will bear fruit.

As for Elliot, maybe it makes me a bad person but I kind of want Marten to score with Padma just to break his heart
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 18 Feb 2011, 08:25
Monday's strip: "...because Renee was asking."

Followed by the collective whiplash of thousands of QC fans.

Facial expressions on Elliott suggest the Padma Unrequited theories have merit; this is why my speculation is meaningless.   :-D

D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Near Lurker on 18 Feb 2011, 08:27
Oh yes, they were talking about Padma before.  Here's my bet that his friend's name is "George."

Padma in personality isn't a whole lot like Dora, though.  I can't see Dora doing the whole Scott Pilgrim thing.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 08:31
Actually, based on her facial expression, Padma could have been doing it just to see Marten's look of "oh my God really ;_;", too. So I mean, 'tis not a lost cause over here.

Except for Elliot HAHAHAHA

*cough* Anyway I hope Steve has put that goddamn towel down I do not want him to get an eye infection.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 18 Feb 2011, 08:39
I bet scarboy's name will be Thomas Sterns, or something to that effect.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odin on 18 Feb 2011, 08:42
I bet scarboy's name will be Thomas Sterns, or something to that effect.

His name will be Richard Palmer, to the unending chagrin of all readers.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 08:44
Odin, I love you.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Border Reiver on 18 Feb 2011, 10:10
Elliott might have more of a shot though if he straightened up a bit and put his shoulders back - makes you look much more confident and can help you feel more confident as well.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: ZERO on 18 Feb 2011, 10:53
At this point, Peter Parker has better luck.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Odin on 18 Feb 2011, 11:19
At this point, Peter Parker is like Brad Pitt in comparison.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 18 Feb 2011, 11:24
Someone needs to do a photoshop of that last panel.   Either Marten talking in Elder-Horror Speak or firing LASER BEAMS OUT OF HIS EYES.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 18 Feb 2011, 11:50
aw man, this comic made me feel hell of sorry for Marten and Elliott

congratulations, Jeph

you made me feel sad

[/roastbeef]
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Black Sword on 18 Feb 2011, 11:51
I remember someone calling for a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Characters yesterday.

This strip has turned me from a skeptic of such a society to a full blown supporter. What the hell, man. I'd be perfectly happy not to see Marten for the next six months or so, so we can see other characters who are not being so religiously screwed over by their creator. There's funny, and then there's just pure unnecessary cruelty. Cut him some kind of break already.

Sigh. Please give Marten his bottle of bourbon and pop him back in storage for a month?

...the fact that literally the first time he pays attention to a pretty lady she happens to be more interested in his buddy is hardly "unnecessary cruelty". Besides which, if Steve isn't a complete asshole (which he has so far proven not to be) this may yet turn out okay for our dear protagonist!

Cause Steve is already with Cosette and breaking her heart will earn him the same sort of punishment Sven got for the Fayetastrophe, I should hope...and Marten is Steve's BEST BRO, so perhaps he can put in some deliriously sicknasty good words for his bromo sapien.

And even if Padma doesn't work out, NoHo's a big town and a lot of the ladies so far think Marty's skinny ass is hot stuff. This is actually, to my knowledge, the first time we've seen Steve's classical hunk charms preferred by a girl.

It's more a matter of "how much of a butt monkey do you have to be before your creator gives you a break." I feel like Marten's had it lousy enough already so should get a little slack. Not even relationship slack, just something nice happening to him. He finds a severely damaged Les Paul he restores to perfect health! His blog goes from 5 hits a month to 1000 hits a month! He beats Hannelore at Scrabble!

...ok, beating Hannelore at Scrabble is more like a Legendary Mode achievement, but you get the idea.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Skewbrow on 18 Feb 2011, 12:39
Jimbo the Wingman FTW! The only downside with Jimbo would be that the kind of watering holes they would visit might not be the best places for Marten to meet the Lady of his dreams.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Feb 2011, 13:16
So why is Padma calling Marten over?

She thinks he's cute.    - 25 (21.4%)
She needs rescuing from Renee's whining.    - 5 (4.3%)
She needs rescuing from Elliot's moping.    - 2 (1.7%)
She's gonna try to set him up with Renee.    - 3 (2.6%)
She's going to try to set him up with Elliot!    - 7 (6%)
She just wanted to say hi.    - 28 (23.9%)
She wants the phone number of his friend.    - 23 (19.7%) <--- Winnah winnah chicken dinnah!

To ask him if she knows this "Marigold" Elliot is pining for.    - 9 (7.7%)
"You work with my sister, don't you?"    - 4 (3.4%)
She wants WAFFLES, dangit.    - 11 (9.4%)

Total Voters: 117
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cabbagehut on 18 Feb 2011, 13:20

...the fact that literally the first time he pays attention to a pretty lady she happens to be more interested in his buddy is hardly "unnecessary cruelty". Besides which, if Steve isn't a complete asshole (which he has so far proven not to be) this may yet turn out okay for our dear protagonist!

Cause Steve is already with Cosette and breaking her heart will earn him the same sort of punishment Sven got for the Fayetastrophe, I should hope...and Marten is Steve's BEST BRO, so perhaps he can put in some deliriously sicknasty good words for his bromo sapien.

And even if Padma doesn't work out, NoHo's a big town and a lot of the ladies so far think Marty's skinny ass is hot stuff. This is actually, to my knowledge, the first time we've seen Steve's classical hunk charms preferred by a girl.

I sort of agree.  I mean, as far as we know, it's been a few weeks.  Lots of good stuff could have happened in the intervening time.  I guess I don't really see Marten as a Butt Monkey.  Most of the stuff that happens to him is pretty average stuff, but of course it's exaggerated a little for the sake of comedy and interest.  People break up, lose their jobs, get rejected, etc.  I mean, Marigold just got rejected a while back by Angus, and that was a lot more painful.  Penny got rejected by Will.  Sven got rejected by Faye.  There's tons of examples of rejection, oh my!  And while Marten got the big rejection from Dora, that doesn't mean his life is going to go perfectly to make up for it, you know?  Bad things tend to happen together, at least in my experience.

Padma wasn't mean about accidentally rejecting Marten.  She clearly doesn't dislike him, and one can never have too many friends.  I think that while it's sort of a brick-to-the-face moment, it'll pass pretty quickly.  Marten's good at bouncing back and realizing that just because someone's not interested in him doesn't mean they are shitty people, so I think he'll be fine.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Feb 2011, 13:36
This is actually, to my knowledge, the first time we've seen Steve's classical hunk charms preferred by a girl.

The way Cosette yanked Steve's pick out of Marten's hand says you're wrong. 

Can't dig up the strip, though - I'm at work.  Will try to edit later if one of the other archive masters doesn't beat me to it! 

1430. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1430)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 18 Feb 2011, 13:52
...Penny got rejected by Will...

Did I miss something?  He went on a vision quest, and wrote her every day - I don't think that was rejection! 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: pwhodges on 18 Feb 2011, 13:55
Penny got rejected by Steve,  who was oblivious that day (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=818)...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Blackjoker on 18 Feb 2011, 14:31
Actually, wait, I am imagining that Marten will come close to trying to flirt with her, maybe even make some progress due to Steve. But then depressed hunched guy finally screws up his own courage, asks Padma out, she accepts and then Marten is left alone, he makes an annoyed comment, then the secret Bakery version of Faye makes a cutting cruel comment and kicks him. Steve then suggests that Marten try looking online, either that or Marten meets his own Tyler Durden.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Kugai on 18 Feb 2011, 16:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LODkVkpaVQA
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: maddness on 18 Feb 2011, 17:13
It would have been cool if Elliot did have a crush on Marigold. Angus went there so it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that Marigold has also been there. It'd be nice for someone to be interested in Marigold in that way. On the other hand, it might take her time away from this whole beloved enemy thing she has going with Dale.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 18 Feb 2011, 19:04
Monday's strip: "...because Renee was asking."

Followed by the collective whiplash of thousands of QC fans.

Would be a nice mindscrew by Jeph on his readers, but like I said, I don't think he's gonna be that nice to Marten. I think we'll see Dora dating again before Marten, and of course, it won't be Marten she's dating.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 18 Feb 2011, 19:37
Yes, that sounds right.

On the other hand, Dora was single for a long time before meeting Marten. Does anyone else remember a strip where she talks about that?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: celticgeek on 18 Feb 2011, 19:47
Of course. (http://questionablecontent.net./view.php?comic=589)
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Somnus Eternus on 18 Feb 2011, 20:00
(snip) ...either that or Marten meets his own Tyler Durden.

Please.  Please please please please please.

I seriously cannot think of a single better thing.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 21:01
Actually, wait, I am imagining that Marten will come close to trying to flirt with her, maybe even make some progress due to Steve. But then depressed hunched guy finally screws up his own courage, asks Padma out, she accepts and then Marten is left alone, he makes an annoyed comment, then the secret Bakery version of Faye makes a cutting cruel comment and kicks him. Steve then suggests that Marten try looking online, either that or Marten meets his own Tyler Durden.

Elliot over there has clearly been agonizing about and being awkward around Padma for some time now, also he actually all up and SAID that extra pathetic line about ruining their friendship. In other words, if she picks his sad-sack ass over Marten, I will do an acrobatic fucking pirouette off the handle, to quote Dave Strider.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 18 Feb 2011, 21:49
Monday's strip: "...because Renee was asking."

Followed by the collective whiplash of thousands of QC fans.

Would be a nice mindscrew by Jeph on his readers, but like I said, I don't think he's gonna be that nice to Marten. I think we'll see Dora dating again before Marten, and of course, it won't be Marten she's dating.


Oh man, I would be so happy.  I have developed this irrational desire for things to start working out for Marten.  I think I'm projecting onto him; is that healthy?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: JackFaerie on 18 Feb 2011, 22:00
Oh for god's sake, nothing really bad has happened to Marten. I think a lot of you are projecting/identifying with him wayyyy too much and want his life to go swimmingly for your own fantasy identification.

He and his girlfriend broke up. Not even out of nowhere, and for perfectly legit reasons. It sucks, but it happens.

Then he was sad and moped about. Because, you know, it logically follows, since that's what all people who break up do. He got too drunk and got punched out by Faye but didn't even remember it. Honestly that's a lot better than what happened to me in the bad place after my last breakup. Or to others. One girl I knew drank too much, and when she unexpectedly saw her ex at a party, ran out sobbing into the middle of Massachusetts snow barefoot and sans overcoat and still holding her beer bottle; tripped, cut herself up, and had to go get stitches at a hospital. So, y'know, there's worse.

Then his mom came and embarrassed him a little in her efforts to lighten his mood. Oh no! That is surely a fate worse than death that no one else ever suffers.

Then he continued hanging out with his friends and living life, and then he met a girl he's attracted to but couldn't yet have any sort of serious feelings for, and when he came up to flirt with her at a bar, she wasn't instantly into him.

Seriously, that's all it takes for you to cry "Butt Monkey" and "Character Cruelty"? Really? You guys should read some Funky Winterbean.  :laugh:
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 18 Feb 2011, 22:04
Being able to identify with fictional characters is a sign that you're dealing with a good storyteller.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 18 Feb 2011, 22:38
JackFaerie, you are awesome, because that minus the anecdote about the lady meeting her ex is basically my thoughts exactly. I mean, seriously, it was not that long ago that he was able to grin confidently and enjoy his relationship whilst Steve wallowed in the misery of Meena running off with Dave. He's not the butt monkey, he's just having a run of bad luck exaggerated for humor.

Identifying with Marty is all well and good, but projecting is not so good, and we could do with less of it.

And oh God  not THE COMIC OF DESPAIR. If we were in that universe Dora would even now be dying of cancer while both Marten and Steve succumbed to alcoholism and someone else I don't know got bullied or foreclosed on or a car crash or drugs.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: cabbagehut on 18 Feb 2011, 22:49
...Penny got rejected by Will...

Did I miss something?  He went on a vision quest, and wrote her every day - I don't think that was rejection! 

WHOOPS I MEANT STEVE.  Sorry!
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: themacnut on 18 Feb 2011, 23:18
JackFaerie, you are awesome, because that minus the anecdote about the lady meeting her ex is basically my thoughts exactly. I mean, seriously, it was not that long ago that he was able to grin confidently and enjoy his relationship whilst Steve wallowed in the misery of Meena running off with Dave. He's not the butt monkey, he's just having a run of bad luck exaggerated for humor.

Identifying with Marty is all well and good, but projecting is not so good, and we could do with less of it.

Yeah you're probably right. Steve and Marten's positions have indeed switched, and could switch back by this time next year. It's just Marty's turn to be the one who's been dumped. But it's a mark of Jeph's storytelling that many of us, (especially the guys, I suspect) identify all too well with Marty's girl troubles-we've all had our share, some more than others. Many have been where Marten is as of Friday's comic. And we hated that place.

And oh God  not THE COMIC OF DESPAIR. If we were in that universe Dora would even now be dying of cancer while both Marten and Steve succumbed to alcoholism and someone else I don't know got bullied or foreclosed on or a car crash or drugs.

Damn Funky Winterbean's THAT bad? Good thing I never got into it then. Still, it's been a popular syndicated comic for what, decades now? That, and the popularity of Joss Whedon's shows and movies, show there is a definite audience for storytellers who like to torment their characters.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 19 Feb 2011, 01:49
FW is totally that bad. I'm trying hard to think of a cast member who isn't connected to some horrible thing and I can't; they've all either got horrific problems or love people who do and are thereby crippled by that.

And that's, like, every day of their lives.

I like Whedon's brand of character torment, though! He usually does it with really positive character-development results or plot advancement results; and even when he does it without such, it's enjoyable, kinda. Character torment is very useful to a writer, not to mention cathartic.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: rje on 19 Feb 2011, 05:24
Actually, wait, I am imagining that Marten will come close to trying to flirt with her, maybe even make some progress due to Steve. But then depressed hunched guy finally screws up his own courage, asks Padma out, she accepts and then Marten is left alone, he makes an annoyed comment, then the secret Bakery version of Faye makes a cutting cruel comment and kicks him. Steve then suggests that Marten try looking online, either that or Marten meets his own Tyler Durden.

Elliot over there has clearly been agonizing about and being awkward around Padma for some time now, also he actually all up and SAID that extra pathetic line about ruining their friendship. In other words, if she picks his sad-sack ass over Marten, I will do an acrobatic fucking pirouette off the handle, to quote Dave Strider.
*grins* bit of a Homestuck fan, are we?

But aw man, Elliot's kinda cute in a big puppy dog doofy way, I actually would really like to see his story.
It is so bizarre how interested I am in him and he's had two lines. ('Lo counts as a line. Yes.)
Actually semi-serious joking aside I was hoping that Marten was just happy cos he made some new friend and was glad to see said friends and wanted to hang out with them. Dude needs a bigger social circle, imho. But liking the girl is ok too. But friends are awesomer.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Cartagia on 19 Feb 2011, 10:01
Long time lurker, first time poster.

My personal theory:

Elliot is the one checking out Steve.  He's appalled that Padma would put him on the spot like that.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 19 Feb 2011, 10:05
Elliot is supposedly in love with a "her (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1845)", I doubt he's interested in Steve.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Cartagia on 19 Feb 2011, 10:08
Oh, duh!  THAT'S mopey guy.  Well, I can always just assume we are thrust into the middle of another situation.  Maybe scar neck assumes it is a girl, but is wrong?
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: akronnick on 19 Feb 2011, 10:29
Anything's possible, he could even be Bi, and was trying to get over whoever the "her" is by musing about the hot guy at the bar, next to the skinny indie boy, and Padma recognized Marten and called him opver to ask, but given what we know, Elliot having a crush on Padma seems to be the best explanation.

It's all speculation at this point, we'll find out tomorrow night.

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Skewbrow on 19 Feb 2011, 10:54
Hmm. I'm not sure that Padma is the object of Elliot's longing. Obviously (?) the scar neck dude knows who it is. He is giving the advice to Elliot less than 10 feet away from Padma (look at the loafs of bread on the shelf, or the donut trays). Loud enough that Marten and Hannelore can hear it. I'm not saying that it is impossible, but would you try to get a friend to muster up the courage to ask a girl out, if the said girl can hear everything you say?

As usual, I'm prepared to be very wrong about this  :|.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 19 Feb 2011, 11:11
Don't be.  I'm betting on Renee anyway, she was in the back witnessing the flames when those lines were said! 

I just think that, after the horrible breakup Padma's just gone through, Elliot's surprised to see her interested in someone...

Oh, wait - we're not assuming parallel universes anymore, are we? 

:D
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Mr_Rose on 19 Feb 2011, 12:10
Well yeah, if the "mirror-verse" hypothesis were true, he's Marten's negative image and so should be after Faye's.

Luckily for us Jeph is more creative than that, so ...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 19 Feb 2011, 13:23
I never saw him as a mirror Marten.  With the name Elliot, maybe he's a parallel Hannelore, only obsessive about romance instead of germs.  He happened to be acting mopey when Marten had just broken up, but I dn't see him as a parallel to Marten. 

I do, however, see the taller skinnier Angus-with-an-X lookalike being a parallel to Penelope.  Just a vibe I got from his one appearance, and the way she had been earlier in the comic when she first started working at CoD, before Wil.  I hope we see more of him! 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Feb 2011, 21:10
Yes, it's finally here: the MOMENT OF THE WEEK!

Finally startin' to check out other girls, huh?    - 0 (0%)
Well I mean it's been WEEKS, I AM a single dude... now..    - 0 (0%)
SLAP! (I'm out of practice!)    - 2 (2.9%)
Don't tell me you're still hung up on Dora.    - 0 (0%)
WE ARE BROS, MAN! WE! ARE! BROS!    - 8 (11.6%)
UMASS Guys! "BROS! BROS! BROS! BROS!"    - 10 (14.5%)
I know it's over, I just... still miss her, y'know?    - 1 (1.4%)
The other night, Cosette...    - 11 (15.9%)
Good talk, bro.    - 6 (8.7%)
Who's that waving? Why, it's PADMA!    - 5 (7.2%)
My baby bird's finally left the nest!    - 2 (2.9%)
I wouldn't wipe my eyes with that towel...    - 1 (1.4%)
Mister coffee-and-a-danish    - 1 (1.4%)
Padma, Renee and Elliot.    - 0 (0%)
So... So...    - 1 (1.4%)
Who's your cute friend over at the bar?    - 14 (20.3%)
Elliot's look of sheer HORROR    - 7 (10.1%)

Total Voters: 69
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 19 Feb 2011, 21:16
Long time lurker, first time poster.

My personal theory:

Elliot is the one checking out Steve.  He's appalled that Padma would put him on the spot like that.

That is an excellent first post.  I think you'll fit in here just fine.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: daryljfontaine on 20 Feb 2011, 08:27
And oh God  not THE COMIC OF DESPAIR. If we were in that universe Dora would even now be dying of cancer while both Marten and Steve succumbed to alcoholism and someone else I don't know got bullied or foreclosed on or a car crash or drugs.

Damn Funky Winterbean's THAT bad? Good thing I never got into it then.

Willis on Winkerbean. (http://www.shortpacked.com/2007/04/16/)

It really is that bad.

D

Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: The Duke on 20 Feb 2011, 13:23
Hey, I just found this (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=543) and Dora's comment in panel two struck me as a funny kind of foreshadowing, intentional or not.  Bear in mind that this is before Marten and Dora even started dating.  

It's not really relevant per se, I just thought it was interesting.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 20 Feb 2011, 13:44
Weren't the couple in the first panel supposed to be Jeph and Christi? 
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: LPcomics on 20 Feb 2011, 15:40
I literally loled at the last panel of Friday's strip.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Feb 2011, 17:21
Weren't the couple in the first panel supposed to be Jeph and Christi? 
I've heard both that it was Jeph and Cristi, and that it was Helen Narbonic and Dave Davenport, from the comic strip Narbonic.
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Carl-E on 20 Feb 2011, 19:13
Well, a quick look at Narbonic's cast page (http://www.narbonic.com/cast.html) confirms it.  Definitely Helen and Dave. 

I thought he was a little short for Jeph, and then there are the glasses...
Title: Re: WCDT 14-18 February 2011 (1861-1865)
Post by: Antario on 22 Feb 2011, 04:43
Long time lurker, first time poster.

My personal theory:

Elliot is the one checking out Steve.  He's appalled that Padma would put him on the spot like that.

That is an excellent first post.  I think you'll fit in here just fine.

indeed a good post, i cant believe i didnt even think about why she would think he is/want him to be gay in the first place