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Certitude.

8 (13.6%)

Palimpsest.

12 (20.3%)

Cloaca.

10 (16.9%)

Phrontistery.

8 (13.6%)

Gudgeon.

9 (15.3%)

Other. (and you can't say 'antidisestablishmentarianism,' that's cheating.)

12 (20.3%)

Total Members Voted: 52

Voting closed: 18 Apr 2010, 21:51

[Akima]

"What's worse than being punched in the dick?"

Am I even allowed to vote?  I mean, it would be a case of "She jests at scars, that never felt a wound.". Or even had the body-part to wound.

Poor Marigold. Poor Angus.

[westrim]

Weird.
Is that how one is supposed to react in this situation ?
Wouldn't have done that, but if someone has a good argument why this would be a good idea ?
Fortunately this never happened to me (yet, anyway).

What's never happened to you , a hug? Awww *hugs*.

"What's worse than being punched in the dick?"

Am I even allowed to vote?   I mean, it would be a case of "She jests at scars, that never felt a wound.". Or even had the body-part to wound.

Poor Marigold. Poor Angus.

Dunno, I've heard that vagina punches can be pretty bad. But from personal experience I can say that there's nothing like a soccer ball to the scrotum to take you out of the game for a quarter.

[Border Reiver]

First reaction on starting to read - good, people are reacting normally, Angus is 'splainin', Marigold has apparently accepted the explanation, and, Damn.  Awkward.

Well there's only one thing for it if you want to save the friendship - keep the hug going and wait for her to disengage - anything else and you're skating dangerously close to the "callous prick" precipice.

[Carl-E]

This made me teary.  But it's right - what's a friend for, if you can't cry on his shoulder?  Angus understands (last panel face), and won't be a jerk about it.  And Marigold will survive and learn. 

's all good.   

(of course, if the advice in the title of 1483 had been taken, this might all be moot)

[Mad Cat]

Most guys just never know the cathartic release that a good cry can be... not the crying so hard and long that you vomit, that's emotions escaping the body, but just tension and sadness being given expression in the form of tears can be incredibly relieving and enable one to get on with life and get past the thing that caused them... even when you're hugging the thing that caused them.

Best thing Angus could have done is what Angus did, reengage his own hug and let her ride out her sobs... then go change his shirt.

[snubnose]

"What's worse than being punched in the dick?"

Am I even allowed to vote?   [...]

Why not ? I havent been punched there despite having one either. But its easy to see that it would hurt. Hands, mouth, and primary sexual organs (either penis or vagina) are the places where you have the most nerve endings. Therefore getting hurt there hurts a LOT.

Weird.
Is that how one is supposed to react in this situation ?
Wouldn't have done that, but if someone has a good argument why this would be a good idea ?
Fortunately this never happened to me (yet, anyway).

What's never happened to you , a hug? Awww *hugs*.

I will just raise and eyebrow now like a vulcan.

Most guys just never know the cathartic release that a good cry can be...

Uh, its just pointless for a guy to cry. Nothing good comes out of it.

[AngryCallCenterAgent]

*wipes tears, stands up and claps loudly* Bravissimo, Jeph, encore!

[jwhouk]

It seems that Angus did not learn something at his prep school:

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, never be the first to let go."

[Carl-E]

Most guys just never know the cathartic release that a good cry can be...

Uh, its just pointless for a guy to cry. Nothing good comes out of it.

What kind of reverse-sexist BS is that?  You, sir, have obviously never had a good cry.  It can be worth it's weight in supressed emotions...

Then again, maybe you're like the guy who never spoke a word until one day he looked from his breakfast and said, "Oatmeal's cold." 

When questioned, he replied "Everything's been fine up until now!" 

Just wait...  it'll be needed sooner or later.   

[Near Lurker]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

[vettechinohio]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

I disagree. I think they can handle it. Marigold will gain some healthy (and needed) emotional growth from the whole experience, once she gets over the trauma of it, and Angus is being nothing but supportive and understanding with her, and is doing what he can to lessen the awkwardness of it by addressing it quickly and making his feelings known.

[Mr_Rose]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

Man I love this attitude; oh noes, it's going to be slightly awkward for a while! Everyone must uproot their lives to avoid possible blushing!
It's the same root that feeds the whole marital panic chunk of the early/quickie divorce statistics; just because you had one argument is not a reason to ditch your vows, not does it mean they don't love you any more. Sheesh.

[akronnick]

Uh, its just pointless for a guy to cry. Nothing good comes out of it.

[Lebowski]
Strong men also cry, Mr. Lebowski, Strong men also cry.
[/Lebowski]

[WoweeZowee]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

I totally agree.  If Angus ever brought somebody home, (which would be a completely normal and acceptable thing for a 20-something to do) there would be another long fortnight of watching repeated weeping and dramatic self-loathing by Marigold.  I understand it being a touchy situation at the moment, but really in the long run Angus should NOT have to be accountable for her, making an eventual move-out the best option.  He shouldn't have to feel bad for being interested in someone else, and living with someone who has feelings for him would cause that precise situation. 

[Is it cold in here?]

It seems that Angus did not learn something at his prep school:

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, never be the first to let go."

My compulsively logical side snarkily noticed what would happen if everybody practiced that rule. If nobody's the first to let go, then the hug lasts forever.

Not that there's anything wrong with that in theory.

[Dliessmgg]

Eating would be a bit difficult.

[Wiregeek]

It seems that Angus did not learn something at his prep school:

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, never be the first to let go."

My compulsively logical side snarkily noticed what would happen if everybody practiced that rule. If nobody's the first to let go, then the hug lasts forever.

Not that there's anything wrong with that in theory.

Your theory sucks balls. I'm going to go take a wicked dump now.

[Border Reiver]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

Of course someone needs to move - there's that whole heart beating and respiration thing that needs to keep happening.

Oh wait, you meant that either Angus and/or Marigold need to alter their living arrangements.

No, that is not an emotionally mature method of dealing with life - something will be awkward, time to avoid it.  If they had been co-workers rather than roommates would one of them had to have change jobs?

[raoullefere]

I'm still trying to work out why this strip is a 'downer.'

More loneliness than anyone could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair

The Police, 'Message in a Bottle'

[Carl-E]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

I totally agree.  If Angus ever brought somebody home, (which would be a completely normal and acceptable thing for a 20-something to do) there would be another long fortnight of watching repeated weeping and dramatic self-loathing by Marigold.  I understand it being a touchy situation at the moment, but really in the long run Angus should NOT have to be accountable for her, making an eventual move-out the best option.  He shouldn't have to feel bad for being interested in someone else, and living with someone who has feelings for him would cause that precise situation. 

Nor will Angus need to be accountable for her.  Marigold will get past this, with his help and the help of others, and yes things will be awkward occasionally.  Doesn't mean it can't work out.  Like a single parent introducing a new partner to the kids, it may or may not be handled well, but people deal.  

After alll, there have been weirder situations.  Anyone remember Meena and Dave?  

[Carl-E]

I'm still trying to work out why this strip is a 'downer.'

More loneliness than anyone could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair

The Police, 'Message in a Bottle'

I imagine it has more to do with the frame of mind Jeph had to put himself in to draw this.  After all, a lot of his stuff has the ring of "write what you know" to it, and connects so well because we've all been there.  It's gotta be hard to draw someone sobbing like that when you've done so yourself... annd revisited emotions still hurt. 

[Jander]

"What's worse than being punched in the dick?"

Am I even allowed to vote?   [...]

Why not ? I havent been punched there despite having one either. But its easy to see that it would hurt. Hands, mouth, and primary sexual organs (either penis or vagina) are the places where you have the most nerve endings. Therefore getting hurt there hurts a LOT.

I dunno, i think the penis isnt the real worry, most men could handle a good punch if it was just to the dick.

The balls are the problem man, they're the sensitive ones.

[raoullefere]

It's gotta be hard to draw someone sobbing like that when you've done so yourself... annd revisited emotions still hurt.  

I suppose I was looking at it from another way—t'would be a downer if Marigold were left to cry alone; Angus rising to the occasion, I find uplifting. Also, it's a jolly good thing I never revisit my former emotions, actions, etc.; they're the detracting in-laws from hell *harumph* or at least I assume they would be, if I ever bothered to check in. Which I don't.

On a side note, got to take a break from Dorothy Sayers novels: she's polluting my discourse with early twentieth century Britishisms. I almost wrote 'beastly' somewhere in here.

[WoweeZowee]

Nor will Angus need to be accountable for her.  Marigold will get past this, with his help and the help of others, and yes things will be awkward occasionally.  Doesn't mean it can't work out.  Like a single parent introducing a new partner to the kids, it may or may not be handled well, but people deal.  

After alll, there have been weirder situations.  Anyone remember Meena and Dave?  

Certainly an emotionally normal and mature person would easily get past it.  Marigold's uncanny naiveté when it comes to relationships makes this a different situation.  It would not just be "awkward."  It would be painful.  It doesn't mean they shouldn't remain great friends.  Just the roommate thing may not be the best route. 

[JD]

Uh, its just pointless for a guy to cry. Nothing good comes out of it.

[Lebowski]
Strong men also cry, Mr. Lebowski, Strong men also cry.
[/Lebowski]

The Dude abides

[Is it cold in here?]

Nor will Angus need to be accountable for her.  

http://www.xkcd.com/383/

[LTK]

It seems that Angus did not learn something at his prep school:

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, never be the first to let go."

My compulsively logical side snarkily noticed what would happen if everybody practiced that rule. If nobody's the first to let go, then the hug lasts forever.

Not that there's anything wrong with that in theory.

Heh, I noticed that too. A slight modification:

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, the first person to let go has to be the one who needed the hug most."

[schmeeble]

So is Angus being picked up in the last 2 panels or why is she so short all of a sudden?

[snubnose]

Most guys just never know the cathartic release that a good cry can be...

Uh, its just pointless for a guy to cry. Nothing good comes out of it.

What kind of reverse-sexist BS is that?

Facts are never sexist.

When a girl weeps, most of the time, every other girl in the area will run to help. Therefore they learn: weeping -> it probably gets better.

When a boy weeps, he's a social paria. In fact not even girls will move to comfort him, even less other boys. Therefore they learn: weeping -> it only gets worse.

I myself, for example, now as an adult are completely unable to weep from sadness any more.

You, sir, have obviously never had a good cry.

Indeed I havent. As I just explained, there are no good crys for a boy.

It can be worth it's weight in supressed emotions...

Nah, it just means you're more likely to get angry instead of sad. Probably one of the reasons men do more crimes than women.

[Carl-E]

 

That's some pretty fucked up reasoning right there.  You're saying that social conditioning (external) prevents you from reacting to your emotions (internal)? 

OK, maybe in public, but you've never cried in private?  I'm not talking a wailing bawl, I mean something moving you (positive or negative) so much that you had tears?  You can deny that too if you want, but if you're human, you're lying.  Or you have malfunctioning tear ducts or something. 

Or maybe you really are as repressed as you say.  In that case, i think you may want to seek some help! 

[Schmorgluck]

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, the first person to let go has to be the one who needed the hug most."

Well that's better, but once it's put that way I feel compelled to wonder why it should be limited to opposit sexes.

Anyway, I'm with Raoullefere in having a hard time finding this strip a downer. I mean, it's certainly moving, even sad in some respects, but it looks like proper closure is at work.

It seems to me that Marigold is cry-hugging Angus for at least two reasons combined:
1) She accepts Angus as just a friend, and seeks comfort from said friend in her current ordeal.
2) She hugs goodbye to her crush towards Angus. Which is the main part of said ordeal.

[LTK]

That's some pretty fucked up reasoning right there.  You're saying that social conditioning (external) prevents you from reacting to your emotions (internal)? 

OK, maybe in public, but you've never cried in private?  I'm not talking a wailing bawl, I mean something moving you (positive or negative) so much that you had tears?  You can deny that too if you want, but if you're human, you're lying.  Or you have malfunctioning tear ducts or something. 

Or maybe you really are as repressed as you say.  In that case, i think you may want to seek some help! 

Have you considered the possibility that men can generally be less emotionally expressive than women?

[Carl-E]

Also, it's a jolly good thing I never revisit my former emotions, actions, etc.; they're the detracting in-laws from hell *harumph* or at least I assume they would be, if I ever bothered to check in. Which I don't.

How do you do that?  Mine live too close by and have an annoying habit of dropping in late at night when everyone else is asleep, reminding me of how worthless I've always been felt.  I keep locking the damn doors and windows, and they always manage to show up anyway!  

[Carl-E]

Have you considered the possibility that men can generally be less emotionally expressive than women?

Sure, but there's no reason for them to be, other than social conditioning.  And that can be hazardous.  My point was that snubnose's assertion that "boys don't cry" is circular - it's not because they don't want or need to, it's because they've been trained not to.  And this leads to serious problems later!  Being able to express your emotions is crucial to a well balanced emotional state, and half the western world's population just doesn't do it!  What's worse, they actually beleive that they don't need to! 

I really thought this kind of thinking died back in the 70's, but I guess it skipped a generation somewhere...

[Schmorgluck]

That's some pretty fucked up reasoning right there.  You're saying that social conditioning (external) prevents you from reacting to your emotions (internal)?

Objectively, it does. I'll refrain from going all ranty about how social conventions are insidiously incorporated by individuals, but this is a well documented phenomenon I encourage you to look up, if you're interested.
Now I won't go as far as snubnose on the part about differenciated gender reactions to someone. What he states is real, but is about trends rather than absolutes, and is again related to social conventions.

[Carl-E]

Look, I know all that.  Really, it's the statement that "there are no good cries for a boy" that's the problem, because it's just not true. 

I pity that he's unable to weep from sadness anymore, but really, how does one cope with it, then?  By lashing out in anger as he suggests?  Drowning it in alchohol?  medicating your way to happiness? 

Come on, it's effed up, no denying it.  The emotions are there, no matter how you react.  Boys can cry, and should if upset enough.  It doesn't have to be in public, but dammit, there can't be a permanent damper put on your emotions, that's just harmful. 

[Schmorgluck]

Yeah, I really should have read new posts in order to reconsider mine when the forum engine suggested me to. Sorry Carl-E.

[raoullefere]

Also, it's a jolly good thing I never revisit my former emotions, actions, etc.; they're the detracting in-laws from hell *harumph* or at least I assume they would be, if I ever bothered to check in. Which I don't.

How do you do that?  Mine live too close by and have an annoying habit of dropping in late at night when everyone else is asleep, reminding me of how worthless I've always been felt.  I keep locking the damn doors and windows, and they always manage to show up anyway!  

I can do it because I'm a flawless, perfect being, untroubled by petty concerns such as regret, inferiority, failure, loneliness, and inadequacy. Excuse me while I explode in a joyous, Übermenschian act of creation. WhaaAAAA BOOOMMM!

Or I could simply be having you on. Your choice.

[Carl-E]

Oooh, I get to choose? 

'Splodey, please!  I like esplosions. 

[ross_teneyck]

There are doubtless many things going through Angus' mind at this moment, but there's a good chance one of them is:

"Must... not... get... erection... at this... highly... inappropriate... moment!"

[jwhouk]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

Man I love this attitude; oh noes, it's going to be slightly awkward for a while! Everyone must uproot their lives to avoid possible blushing!
<snip>

No, because Jeph loves to draw his characters blushing.  

[jwhouk]

Heh, I noticed that too. A slight modification:

"When hugging a member of the opposite sex, the first person to let go has to be the one who needed the hug most."

That's dead on. I heartily approve.

Well that's better, but once it's put that way I feel compelled to wonder why it should be limited to opposite sexes.

I was trying to specifically address the situation Angus was facing, which happened to involve what I posited (hugging the opposite sex).

[helloandgoodbye]

This is not a healthy situation.  For the love of God, someone needs to move.

Man I love this attitude; oh noes, it's going to be slightly awkward for a while! Everyone must uproot their lives to avoid possible blushing!
<snip>

No, because Jeph loves to draw his characters blushing.  

  I don't think he's ever drawn a male character blushing though.  Now that I think about it, do guys even blush?  I've only seen girls do it.

[Carl-E]

There are doubtless many things going through Angus' mind at this moment, but there's a good chance one of them is:

"Must... not... get... erection... at this... highly... inappropriate... moment!"

that would be less likely to happen when she's crying in your arms over you spurning her. 

And if you'd get one at that point, I'd salute you!  (or maybe, you'd be saluting me... nevermind). 

  I don't think he's ever drawn a male character blushing though.  Now that I think about it, do guys even blush?  I've only seen girls do it.

I blush, but it's not so noticable through the facial hair.  However, the top of my head also gets red, and that became obvious a few years ago. 

However, I can usually control the blushing.  It's a matter of focusing your attention away from the currently embarrassing situation. 

Or putting on a hat. 

[mustang6172]

Marigold needs a worry hat.

[Tuitsuro]

 I don't think he's ever drawn a male character blushing though.  Now that I think about it, do guys even blush?  I've only seen girls do it.

Marten blushes all the time.   Not that it really answers the question as to whether guys blush.   

[schmeeble]

There are doubtless many things going through Angus' mind at this moment, but there's a good chance one of them is:

"Must... not... get... erection... at this... highly... inappropriate... moment!"

that would be less likely to happen when she's crying in your arms over you spurning her. 

And if you'd get one at that point, I'd salute you!  (or maybe, you'd be saluting me... nevermind). 

and marigold's disgusting, let's not forget about that.

[ndperfesser]

I'm still trying to work out why this strip is a 'downer.'

More loneliness than anyone could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair

The Police, 'Message in a Bottle'

Sad people make people sad. Shakespeare followed this formula and became immortal. (figuratively)

[ndperfesser]

  I don't think he's ever drawn a male character blushing though.  Now that I think about it, do guys even blush?  I've only seen girls do it.

Oh god, I knew a guy who blushed so brightly he could have been used as a lighthouse. His female acquaintances used to tease him suggestively just to get him to blush. His blush was so bright I suspect they teased him because it was cheaper than using a tanning booth. I did notice his blush dimmed significantly after he met his future wife.

[chelicious]

All I can say is that if Sven suddenly shows up and bangs Marigold, Jeph, I'm sorry, but I will punch you through my computer. Although that WOULD make hell of drama and shake things up HUGELY.