Bernice is really exaggerating. Tiffany’s stomach is not so large that it could accommodate three of those tats, and why would someone who claims to want to be a counselor make that kind of remark, anyway?
(Wanted to post this yesterday, but it was at the end of the day and no one would have seen it.) I’ve always been amazed at Greg’s ability as an artist. One facial expression can speak a thousand words and convey layers of meaning. Back in the fire ants and mud story, I was impressed he could draw Tiffany without makeup and we still know it’s her. Now he takes her and is able to add a few pounds and we still know exactly who it is, even if Bernice hadn’t called her by name. Incredible.
I LOVE Luann’s expression in the second frame. She’s FUN !! That’s why Gunther is not a good match for Luann (solving an equation across two blackboards doesn’t qualify for “FUN”). Not sure Gunther will ever know what fun is.
Kinda feel sorry for Tiffany…..I think Gunther should step up (become a man) and actually try to help her and show her she has potential to be a good, caring person…. and maybe she can help him to have confidence in himself (stop being a mommas boy).
Maybe I’m overanalyzing, but it seems like while other characters are growing, (no pun intended…honest!) or at least struggling to do so, Bernice is actually regressing. It’s as if she looks back and realizes she wasn’t cool in high school, so she has to make up for it. Except it comes out as bossy and controlling on the job. Personal life? catty and gossipy with her friends, hoping that they’ll be impressed that she delivers the dirt first tinged with a clever insult.
So far we’re not getting feedback on Tara after the tattoo show. That may be a while. I don’t expect Luann to laugh at Tiffany at this moment. The bb shots that Lu & Tiff have exchanged all these years seem to be a form of chemistry that could turn into a friendship. Maybe now.
Tiffany wearing gray? sweats? Is she depressed? Bern being extraordinarily mean spirited? I pity them both, but I still hope the gathered flock tells Bernice in no uncertain terms that she is out of line. Dez is a pretty self-assured character who seems healthy, but it’s not impossible that someone along the line called her “fat” because she’s not a skinny model type. She is pretty accepting, but she would be in her rights to read Bernice the riot act. Or gently but firmly set her straight.
Bernice used to be a lot nicer and more adventurous. She was able to balance fun and excitement with everyday pragmatism. She was nice during high school. The New York trip was her idea and she even threw a dorm party. When a party was organized during a no party period, she moved it outside and it worked well despite the weather.
My guess for what happened would be that after having to enforce stupid rules like no guests after curfew (why is a university putting those restrictions is beyond me), a stolen TV, and a broken vending machine, her job as an RA became difficult. Now her friend is becoming friends with the girl who made her job harder.
Furthermore, having fun just fell to the wayside with school, grades, and being a dorm advisor. Then there’s Piro. She pined and pined over him and that certainly didn’t go how she was expecting. Luann’s emotional needs are different from Bernice’s. Luann is at a point where she can be happy being single. Bernice is not.
So yes. no wonder Bernice is so bitter. I would be too in her position.
I never really fathom the extreme Bernice bashers on here. She does have her quirks, like a snarky tendency, and excessive conservatism. But I tend to like her well enough. All the others have their quirks too.
She was diplomatic and restrained enough when she encountered Tiffany. But now, when telling Luann what’s happened, she’s just being blunt. That’s to be expected with her longtime BFF.
No need to whitewash the facts. Should she have started by saying, “Well… you know, Tiff had a dysfunctional childhood”? Bernice is not that PC, but that’s in her favor.
Wow, 655 Comments yesterday (and already 99 today). Well most of them were about Tiffany, while others might have been just off topic just to get a posting in. Today, ladies and whatnots, let’s see how many high numbered comments there are going to be today, hopefully about Tiffany and not about some other mindless drivel that nobody really gives a hoot in hades about.
Why did Bernice say it like that? If she’s angry at Luann for not talking to Tiffany lately, then shouldn’t she be mad at herself too? She’s a friend of Tiffany’s too, hell she goes to the same college as Tiffany.
Also how long has it been since Bernice saw tiffany? Seems like the fact that she’s her frenemy as well as the RA she should see her on a fairly regular basis. Did she balloon in a day?
Perhaps there should be a bit of context considered, here, before jumping to any conclusions. Perhaps all that’s really happening, is that Bernice is trying to paint the correct picture, in that Tiffany (who has always been known as a person with both a slender/thin and curvy/hourglass [think the measurements in “Brick House” by the Commodores] at the same time) is now looking nothing like the Tiffany they have all been used to.
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And for all her snark and such, Bernice still said nothing that isn’t descriptive of the situation. She’s saying how much Tiffany has gained, in a way that Luann would be properly signaled to how drastic the change has become.
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If Bernice were attempting to be mean, she would have immediately said it by way of a cruel tease/piece of gossip, like (I wrote the following for reference, only- not an attempt at humor): "Ooh, guess what!? Someone around here has grown soooo big ….and looks like they could ‘eat the world’! Guess who it is? Tiffany! .
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And, clearly Bernice would not utter things to be cruel, given that she’s also talking to Dez, a person whom all (including us readers) would know wouldn’t even stand for such mistreatment.
After the trip to South America, Gunther’s not much of a momma boy any more. He have grown into something else and for the better. What he said to Tiff the old Gunther wouldn’t even say anything.
Of course he is blind to see that she some how is interested in him, and its odd and great that people do change. Just hard to notice.
…and, if anything, Bernice is likely right now feeling that she must try to alert them to a possible crisis (in regard to Tiffany’s drastic change in demeanor as well as her appearance). That seems to be the ‘gag’ here, that this ‘breaking of dire news’ is suddenly put into an awkward contrast with Luann’s light hearted showing of her ‘tummy tat’, as Luann becomes ’frozen in disbelief, in the moment.
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Speaking of which, Lu, you might want to ‘fix your face’…the one you just got. You don’t want it to freeze up, that way.
Kinda feel sorry for Bernice! She is studying to become a psychologist so should have greater empathy for people. She could loosen up and still do her job as a residence hall manager. Her rigid stoicism is not healthy for her.
First of all, I can’t believe Gunther would “knock up” Tiffany. He doesn’t seem to be that type of person. I think Gunth is a man who asks himself, “Why am I here?” What do I want to do with my life." It’ would be a surprise a lot of people if he went “All the way” with Tiffany. If this does happen, it might like a song from Kenny Chesney called “There goes my life.”
LadyWyntire: “Fat is one of the last acceptable prejudices.” Amen and AMEN! // Thank you for capturing and stating my thoughts from yesterday far better than I did.
GaryCooper: No, not at all. (Disappointed at not seeing more of the body art expo) RandomAccess2: That’s what I perceive is the problem with the whole tattoo business. Like Luann’s “temp tattoo,” that temporary scribble is the temptation to get scarred for life. (Tattoos are, in fact, a scar) Don’t know if TemploSud wants to chime in on tattoos. He’s certainly not obliged to join in, but I think that we (TS and I) have similar views on that particular issue.
Hmmm, some current accuracy to the teens in Luann? A new study shows modern teens delaying many of the performance markers of growing up which many of us and our parents met earlier. (For a number of us our grandparents met them much earlier, and some married and had children earlier if economics and essentials of life like food supply permitted.)
It is acceptable and expected practice to share abstracts (but otherwise only small quotes or paraphrases from professional journals, or press releases if available) so here is the abstract:
QUOTE
The social and historical contexts may influence the speed of development. In seven large, nationally representative surveys of U.S. adolescents 1976–2016 (N = 8.44 million, ages 13–19), fewer adolescents in recent years engaged in adult activities such as having sex, dating, drinking alcohol, working for pay, going out without their parents, and driving, suggesting a slow life strategy. Adult activities were less common when median income, life expectancy, college enrollment, and age at first birth were higher and family size and pathogen prevalence were lower, consistent with life history theory. The trends are unlikely to be due to homework and extracurricular time, which stayed steady or declined, and may or may not be linked to increased Internet use.
END QUOTE
I find myself wondering if physical and endocrinological markers of maturity are any different in degree, too, partly because teens of the same ages who were interviewed in a few popular press articles on the topic looked far younger than most of us in our yearbooks. Of course, they might well have been selected by the photographers for that reason.
Last thoughts on “Fat is one of the last acceptable prejudices”: I do think that is where Evans is taking this storyline, though I hope I’m wrong. As for Evans, frankly, in comic strip time, that talk with Gunther could have been a couple days ago, at best. It takes a LOT of time to put on weight, more than summer, more like a year or more. Yet, we saw Tiffany just a day or so ago (in Luann time).
Last comment, then I will go back to sleep: One silver lining in the cloud, I don’t see as much Gunther bashing today. I hope it stays that way. He is easily the most misunderstood character in this strip. I guess he’s just too easy to dislike. Heaven knows, I know what that’s like!
Well this panel so sets up the Man, Bear scale that Vilyehm posted yesterday. Is Bernice a bear, with her snarkiness? I don’t think so, she is one of those friends who has a smart-ass comment to make by nature, but basically is a decent person at heart. Luann, I have high hopes she will be a total Man seer in this scenario. She and TIffany have been enemies (apparently) since back in grammar school. I think the reason is Tiffany is jealous because of Luann’s stable family, popularity, and threatened because Luann is a naturally beautiful girl. Another blonde. They have a long and a bit complicated relationship, but in the end I think Luann will be very surprised, and concerned what is happening with Tiffany. After all they are all together, including Gunthie. Gunther’s bluntness, and his closeness to Tiffany got her to face herself, and she did not like what she saw. To me the jury is still out on whether he is kind of a mean guy, very selfish, and not very emphatic, but this may turn out to be a litmus test for the characters, as it has for the posters here. By the way I thought it was cute how when Luann wanted to firm that young body, the tat was all distinct, but when she heard the news it dropped, or should I say drooped. Funny, but also makes an old guy jealous. Young people never seem to understand the beauty they just have.
I wish we could see Dez’s face because she has a more mature, more worldly, and more charitable acceptance of people than Luann sometimes has, and than Bernice often has. But, she is not the focus here. Like others i think that longer term this arc will also be about those two growing up more (or not) in terms of learning to accept others.
I think that it might also be partly about learning to accept oneself, and not hate oneself, and not only for Tiffany in the latter regard, but also Bernice and to a lesser amount Luann, too, if it happens.
Get over yourselves and think for a second. B’s reaction is that she is concerned for her friend’s state of mind and future health. People do not just randomly become fat. It’s generally due to either poor food choices (Chicken McNuggets every day) or using food as a coping tool. Being fat is not good for your health, being strongly linked to adult onset diabetes and a host of other health issues.
T is fat because something is bothering her. Random speculation would be depression over realizing how shallow all her relationships have been, but that’s just speculation. A TRUE friend is one that notices and says, “Hey, Tiff, what’s up? Something is going on. Talk to me.”
Being Pollyanna and “just accepting as she is” is NOT being a friend and will NOT help her.
Gunther is so self-absorbed that he hasn’t even checked up on Tiffany all summer, even though the last time he saw her he launched into a tirade of criticism that left her sobbing (and, apparently, so distraught that she has been binge-eating all through summer vacation). And remember, Gunther’s tirade that so devastated Tiffany’s sense of self was brought on purely out of anger that she had enjoyed herself at his Mom’s dinner party! I do hope Tiffany will explain that to Bernice and/or Luann. Someone needs to confront Gunther about it!
On shaming in general-I was totally Gunther when I was a kid. I got shamed for it. I heard the shaming. I thought about it. I made course corrections. I’m now a LOT happier and more comfortable while still totally retaining my fundamental Gunther-ness.
We all make choices in our behaviors. Societal feedback on our behaviors is important. Some things society feeds back about are stupid, i.e. “women must wear high heels” “men must drink beer” but some is useful, “don’t smoke (sadly slipping away to ecigs)” and “maintain a healthy weight”. Being able to evaluate and incorporate or reject that feedback is a fundamental part of individual growth.
Rejecting the entire feedback cycle as “mean” is foolish and does not help us grow. Toughen up. Listen. Think. True introspection is painful, but it has huge benefits.
And why exactly is Tiffany’s weight gain Luann’s problem? They aren’t even attending the same school, although they are coworkers at the daycare. I think the last time they were in the same strip together was when Tiffany was getting irritated that Jack was fussing over Luann after the bowling ball accident.And Bernice found out about Tiffany at most a few hours before Luann, because Bernice was in the dorm “doing her duty” instead of going out with Luann & Dez. If Bernice is RA, why hasn’t she seen Tiffany, who lives in the same dorm, until today? I would think an RA’s duties would include checking on the residents when then first arrive at the start of the semester to see if they need any help settling in.
One problem is that labels create an identity. Tiffany is now the fat person. More accurate and more caring is to say, “I am concerned about her because she has put on a great deal of weight in just a few months.” Again it would be impressive if Bern walked her over to the student health service. Right now we can only speculate about the cause of this.
Yes, because pointing out someone’s weight gain is so much more “real world” than taking a break from the college grind to go have some fun. Here’s a thought: maybe if Tiffany had friends to go blow off steam with, she’d be able to avoid whatever caused the weight gain.
I don’t think the intent is to fat-shame, but call attention to the fact that Tiff has a real problem with depression and is dealing with it in an unhealthy and non-productive way. Tiffany has come to realize in the adult world – reality- she “ain’t all that” and needs some support and direction to get a grip. People have weight issues for different reasons and no one should degrade them for what they know nothing about…when you see a connection like this – help her.
There is no fat shaming here. Bernice told the others a factual statement about Tiff. She never said that Tiff is a bad person for gaining weight, there is no judgment involved.
Virtually every day, there is more “snark” on here than anything else, with many posters poking each other in the ribs about their viewpoints. In general, I think that dialog is healthy, as it is good stimulus for thought.
But now look at all the comments criticizing Bernice for being snarky! When your index finger points at someone, your thumb is often pointing right back at number one.
My opinion. First of all I’m a bit tired of hearing the word ‘shaming’ so much. Based on the comments here there is a lot more ‘shaming’ going on that just about Tiffany’s suspected weight problem. Seems to me that any derogatory comment about anyone is ‘shaming’ of some sort but it looks like that’s OK with many of the commenters. Just a couple of examples: Yuban33 says ‘Bernice is so judgmental’. Capricorn9th says: ‘To think Tiffany helped Bernice change her boring headband hairstyle..’ Not to mention all the things said about Gunther and some of the others. Spikelovesmusic mentions ‘over analyzing’. No kidding! Ya think? I’ve read Luann for years and am amazed at all the over analyzing based on every little nuance, expression, words (both written and not written), demeanor, body language, etc., about what Greg may or may not really mean. Now that Sukiecrandall is back there will be lengthy, in-depth, explanations/opinions on the various subjects. Kinggroovy: ‘as someone who is 324 lbs, I have to say… you all disgust me with your childish whining. Knock it off. Tiffany got fat. Get over it’. I can relate with King but was the opposite. Broke the 100lb barrier in 9th grade at 6’1”. Finished 12th grade at 120lbs 6’1”. “Skinny” was one of the more pleasant terms I recall. At that time in my life my metabolism was in high gear I suppose. Could have been in my genes but being adopted I have no idea. Mostly I’m with King about ‘childish whining. Knock it off. Get over it.’ Someguy3 said it well but you may have to search back for that comment. Many years later now and about 90lbs have been added. I will admit that my mother was extremely happy when I finally got a butt! About 15 of the pounds around the middle I am trying to part with. It’s a process. I refer to it as my most effective stewardship investment. It’s grown over the years and was not affected by any of the economic downturns. Well, that’s it. Have fun shaming me about my comments.
Can you blame Tiffany? College is NOT for everyone and it was never a great fit for her. Bernice wants to help, she should tell Tiff to drop out or pursue that engineering/math degree Tiff alluded to earlier in her class schedule (& put on the weight associated with sedentary study habits). Bernice is too invested in her own identity as a smart girl/academic success to do this – note how shes referring to college as the “real world”. Either way telling Luann that Tiff is fat is really not how to handle the situation.
If it were Zebo we were commenting on (poking fun at him) , would that be mean?
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If we were calling Jack “thick” or “obtuse” for missing a social cue, would that be wrong?
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If we were to chide Gunther for his foibles or his “lack of coolness”, is that a “micro-aggression”?
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If we were to describe or comment on Knute’s crazy antics, or say how he’s so ‘nutty’ when talking about him on the board, or how “boring” we may feel “X” or “Y” character is, is that “out of bounds”?
ComicPipe Tobacco gc insider less than a minute ago
7
Afternoon pipe break analysis:
1. I dislike Bernice using the term “fat” in the ways she does here. It is pejorative, IMO. It is another of the various slams that people who are overweight have to deal with.
2. Bernice is smart enough to know the way she phrased her statement that it was pejorative. So, IMO, I am not wanting to give her any slack for this behavior.
3. I think Luann’s temporary tattoo on her abdomen is hilarious. And, I especially like the change in facial expression of it in the panels.
4. Bernice’s “three of those with room to spare” comment is especially egregious, IMO. It is just rude. But, I guess her “disdainful” look also comes into play here….. depending upon where the disdain is from:
a) Is it from her earlier frustration about tattoo/piercing party and Tara going?
b) Is it from her resenting Luann having fun and getting a temporary tattoo?
c) Is it from having a disdain for overweight people?
d) Is it some mixture of the above three ideas?
My initial thought was that it was “disdain” for overweight people….. because it was seen during her “room to spare” comment. But, really it could be interpreted in any way, a-d.
Bern was not being mean about Tiffany’s weight (which I think concerns her), so much as being a jerk about LuAnn and Dez having done something fun that she thought was beneath her. So her ‘in case you care about the real world’ was a condescending b**ch preface designed to shame LuAnn and Dez for having the audacity to being in the moment about themselves and their recent FUN experience. I mean HOW DARE THEY enjoy life. And as others have pointed out, Tiffany has in the past made many rude remarks about LuAnn’s appearance.
Quick note: i have NOT had much time to read comments recently, but on a quick skim today as well as yesterday i noticed many who felt that Tiffany needed intervention, help, medical investigation because of her sudden weight gain, and i agree that as a symptom it does point to core issues to address, ones such as oft-mentioned loneliness. What i have seen only ONE person mention (today) in my skimming (and, no, it was not me, but i agree) is that Bernice is every bit as much in need of such care due to her own dysfunctional behaviors.
Nice Bern. Despite being the psych major, you were more interested in blabbing about Tiffany’s weight gain (which technically was none of your business) than looking for a cause behind it. Maybe Tiffany is depressed or she may have had too much of Mrs. Berger’s cooking! Either way, that was very shallow. Another reason for you to get out more.
Luann’s tat is surprisingly stupid. So many things she could have gone with – Puddles, musical notes…and she picks a silly tummy face. This timeline isn’t working for me. How can Tiff put on that much weight without anyone noticing? If it was from Mrs. Berger’s cooking, then Les and Gunther would have noticed (and maybe said something). If she was back at school when the gain began, then Bernice should have seen it happening. How much time has passed in the Luannverse that Tiff has gained that much weight, yet Ann’s party hasn’t been held yet? This makes no sense.
Context is important here. It’s not just that anyone is “fat” , but specifically Miss “perfect body” Tiffany. She’s been “in-your-face” for many years about her figure and beauty. So, even tho they may be sympathetic to her current plight, it’s natural they may feel some “karma” being re-distributed here.
I have heard where sometimes a person will express a concern, having experienced something shocking, in a really poor way – it could be because it takes the mind and spirit maybe more than a little while to process what they’ve just seen/experienced. Think, ‘I just saw something that floored me!!’, but they come off initially as sounding mean to others when they talk about it.
Bernice is shocked by what she saw about Tiffany. She’s now expressing it, at first, by snarking at Luann and Dez after coming back from a fun event. Give reality (Luann-wise) a chance to settle in. Luann and Bernice (yes, her too), and especially Dez, are NOT mean-spirited characters. Lu and Bern may have their issues with Tiffany, but they won’t conspire against her. I think we’ve known or experienced how some dark-hearted people out there can actually be – and that type WOULD mock/attack/laugh at Tiffany, and openly.
Luann, Bernice, and Dez won’t attack her. They’ll fumble a bit, but they will come to help Tiffany, somehow. After all, the week is still young.
So Bernice has decided to be the permanent wet-blanket. She was a sour pill when she and Luann met the boys at a bowling alley, she refuses to do anything but school work and now brings Luann down as fast as she can.
“In case you care about the real world.” “My god you’re right, Bernice. I was selfish for wanting to go out and have fun and see new stuff. I should have stayed here with you so we can become old maids together.”
We get to see a lot of Luann’s tummy today, and its morphing temp tat. And, although Bernie is exaggerating somewhat, we’d see even more of new Tiff’s tummy if it were her.
Why has Pitts’ most notorious ex-cheerleading queen and would-be actress let herself go to the pits? Has all the baggage of the years of loneliness finally caught up with her?
Or, is she deliberately gaining weight for a role in some play/TV show/movie? (I know, that’s a stretch, but I thought I’d explore even that possibility.)
I keep wondering…..if Tiffsany (after taking to heart the essence of the after dinner conversation she had with Gunther) is ‘conducting an expiriment’, of sorts….like in ‘using a suit’….to really see how people would really react….nah…
Templo S.U.D. over 6 years ago
Amazing how Luann’s tummy muscles made her tummy tat change shape.
AnyFace over 6 years ago
AnyFace over 6 years ago
Not a fan of fat-shaming. :(
capricorn9th over 6 years ago
Well, Luann is looking a bit pudgy herself in the tummy.
Argythree over 6 years ago
Bernice is really exaggerating. Tiffany’s stomach is not so large that it could accommodate three of those tats, and why would someone who claims to want to be a counselor make that kind of remark, anyway?
And Your Point Would Be over 6 years ago
(Wanted to post this yesterday, but it was at the end of the day and no one would have seen it.) I’ve always been amazed at Greg’s ability as an artist. One facial expression can speak a thousand words and convey layers of meaning. Back in the fire ants and mud story, I was impressed he could draw Tiffany without makeup and we still know it’s her. Now he takes her and is able to add a few pounds and we still know exactly who it is, even if Bernice hadn’t called her by name. Incredible.
Mordock999 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Luann’s reaction tomorrow and the rest of the week, should be Most revealing.
Will Lu GLOAT now that Her Mortal Enemy, Tiffany, has been bought down Low, or will She Truly feel “Sorry” for Her?
And I can’t ’til Gunther Finds Out….,
Kymberleigh over 6 years ago
This would be a good time for Crystal to make a long overdue appearance and comment snarkily about the “new” Tiff.
kenhense over 6 years ago
I LOVE Luann’s expression in the second frame. She’s FUN !! That’s why Gunther is not a good match for Luann (solving an equation across two blackboards doesn’t qualify for “FUN”). Not sure Gunther will ever know what fun is.
BJShipley1 over 6 years ago
Wow, Bernice didn’t waste any time, did she?
tejanolasereyes over 6 years ago
Kinda feel sorry for Tiffany…..I think Gunther should step up (become a man) and actually try to help her and show her she has potential to be a good, caring person…. and maybe she can help him to have confidence in himself (stop being a mommas boy).
Brdshtt Premium Member over 6 years ago
I wonder what Dez got?
kauri44 over 6 years ago
I notice Tara didn’t return with them. Maybe she’s not allowed back in the dorm anymore.
Brdshtt Premium Member over 6 years ago
Good thing Luann did not lift her shirt further – we’d see the tummy tat is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.
spikelovesmusic over 6 years ago
Maybe I’m overanalyzing, but it seems like while other characters are growing, (no pun intended…honest!) or at least struggling to do so, Bernice is actually regressing. It’s as if she looks back and realizes she wasn’t cool in high school, so she has to make up for it. Except it comes out as bossy and controlling on the job. Personal life? catty and gossipy with her friends, hoping that they’ll be impressed that she delivers the dirt first tinged with a clever insult.
kenhense over 6 years ago
So far we’re not getting feedback on Tara after the tattoo show. That may be a while. I don’t expect Luann to laugh at Tiffany at this moment. The bb shots that Lu & Tiff have exchanged all these years seem to be a form of chemistry that could turn into a friendship. Maybe now.
spikelovesmusic over 6 years ago
Tiffany wearing gray? sweats? Is she depressed? Bern being extraordinarily mean spirited? I pity them both, but I still hope the gathered flock tells Bernice in no uncertain terms that she is out of line. Dez is a pretty self-assured character who seems healthy, but it’s not impossible that someone along the line called her “fat” because she’s not a skinny model type. She is pretty accepting, but she would be in her rights to read Bernice the riot act. Or gently but firmly set her straight.
Goldie over 6 years ago
I wish Bernice would go study abroad for a while. Or contract a terminal illness.
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
So we are now after the body art expo. Time has passed.
The rest of the week’s strips could be Bernice telling Luann and Dez what she has already done.
More dramatic than having Luann go to Tiff’s room.
And rather than not learning anything new today, we are also totally cheated out of having Dez’s opinion of Tara.
Yuban333 over 6 years ago
Bernice is so judgemental. I wish that someone would knock her off her high horse.
capricorn9th over 6 years ago
To think Tiffany helped Bernice change her boring headband hairstyle to this new stylish bob she is sporting now. Ungrateful and snarky friend she is.
Peppermeow over 6 years ago
My guess for what happened would be that after having to enforce stupid rules like no guests after curfew (why is a university putting those restrictions is beyond me), a stolen TV, and a broken vending machine, her job as an RA became difficult. Now her friend is becoming friends with the girl who made her job harder.
Furthermore, having fun just fell to the wayside with school, grades, and being a dorm advisor. Then there’s Piro. She pined and pined over him and that certainly didn’t go how she was expecting. Luann’s emotional needs are different from Bernice’s. Luann is at a point where she can be happy being single. Bernice is not.
So yes. no wonder Bernice is so bitter. I would be too in her position.
Aqsnt over 6 years ago
I can’t tell if Bern acting liked she’s happy karma finally got Tiff or if it’s time Bern charges in to intervene.
Wizardgoat over 6 years ago
I never really fathom the extreme Bernice bashers on here. She does have her quirks, like a snarky tendency, and excessive conservatism. But I tend to like her well enough. All the others have their quirks too.
She was diplomatic and restrained enough when she encountered Tiffany. But now, when telling Luann what’s happened, she’s just being blunt. That’s to be expected with her longtime BFF.
No need to whitewash the facts. Should she have started by saying, “Well… you know, Tiff had a dysfunctional childhood”? Bernice is not that PC, but that’s in her favor.
Lady Bri over 6 years ago
She might not be fat . . . it might be something else.
Lyons Group, Inc. over 6 years ago
Wow, 655 Comments yesterday (and already 99 today). Well most of them were about Tiffany, while others might have been just off topic just to get a posting in. Today, ladies and whatnots, let’s see how many high numbered comments there are going to be today, hopefully about Tiffany and not about some other mindless drivel that nobody really gives a hoot in hades about.
M2MM over 6 years ago
I wondered why she was drawn so wide. Doesn’t make any kind of sense, though.
GirlGeek Premium Member over 6 years ago
Why did Bernice say it like that? If she’s angry at Luann for not talking to Tiffany lately, then shouldn’t she be mad at herself too? She’s a friend of Tiffany’s too, hell she goes to the same college as Tiffany.
Wizardgoat over 6 years ago
Unlike permanent tattoos, which are carefully thought out to be decorative, Luann’s temp tat seems like being incredibly silly.
drewpamon over 6 years ago
Also how long has it been since Bernice saw tiffany? Seems like the fact that she’s her frenemy as well as the RA she should see her on a fairly regular basis. Did she balloon in a day?
JayBluE over 6 years ago
Perhaps there should be a bit of context considered, here, before jumping to any conclusions. Perhaps all that’s really happening, is that Bernice is trying to paint the correct picture, in that Tiffany (who has always been known as a person with both a slender/thin and curvy/hourglass [think the measurements in “Brick House” by the Commodores] at the same time) is now looking nothing like the Tiffany they have all been used to.
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And for all her snark and such, Bernice still said nothing that isn’t descriptive of the situation. She’s saying how much Tiffany has gained, in a way that Luann would be properly signaled to how drastic the change has become.
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If Bernice were attempting to be mean, she would have immediately said it by way of a cruel tease/piece of gossip, like (I wrote the following for reference, only- not an attempt at humor): "Ooh, guess what!? Someone around here has grown soooo big ….and looks like they could ‘eat the world’! Guess who it is? Tiffany! .
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And, clearly Bernice would not utter things to be cruel, given that she’s also talking to Dez, a person whom all (including us readers) would know wouldn’t even stand for such mistreatment.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 6 years ago
I think it’s Gunther’s mother’s dinner parties. Tiff is happy there and she eats what’s put in front of her.
13shark77 over 6 years ago
After the trip to South America, Gunther’s not much of a momma boy any more. He have grown into something else and for the better. What he said to Tiff the old Gunther wouldn’t even say anything.
Of course he is blind to see that she some how is interested in him, and its odd and great that people do change. Just hard to notice.
I looking forward to see what happens next!
JayBluE over 6 years ago
…and, if anything, Bernice is likely right now feeling that she must try to alert them to a possible crisis (in regard to Tiffany’s drastic change in demeanor as well as her appearance). That seems to be the ‘gag’ here, that this ‘breaking of dire news’ is suddenly put into an awkward contrast with Luann’s light hearted showing of her ‘tummy tat’, as Luann becomes ’frozen in disbelief, in the moment.
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Speaking of which, Lu, you might want to ‘fix your face’…the one you just got. You don’t want it to freeze up, that way.
JayBluE over 6 years ago
“Number One, With A Bulletin”
“Low Tidings At High Noon”
“News Has To Crawl, Before It Walks Out The Door”
“Shock, Stock And Harrowing”
“It’s Unbelievable….Believe It!”
“A Picture Of Negative Developments”
“Crisis? What Crisis?” (♩)
“Ladies And Urgents”
“In Case Of Dire, Break News”
“A Parade, In Need Of Rain”
or
“I’ve Got Cloudbursts, On A Sunshine-y Day….” (♪)
james28602 over 6 years ago
I’d watch the usage of “fat” sure she looked frumpier than previously, but she’s still a smaller girl than Bernice’s roomie.
Jimmy90403 over 6 years ago
Kinda feel sorry for Bernice! She is studying to become a psychologist so should have greater empathy for people. She could loosen up and still do her job as a residence hall manager. Her rigid stoicism is not healthy for her.
Tyge Premium Member over 6 years ago
@BRDSHTT Any higher and she’d be eligible for a set of Mardi Gras beads.
Tyge Premium Member over 6 years ago
P.S. What do you suppose is in those Expo bags?
GaryCooper over 6 years ago
I’m disappointed we didn’t get to see the body art expo. Aren’t you?
GasHouseGorilla over 6 years ago
First of all, I can’t believe Gunther would “knock up” Tiffany. He doesn’t seem to be that type of person. I think Gunth is a man who asks himself, “Why am I here?” What do I want to do with my life." It’ would be a surprise a lot of people if he went “All the way” with Tiffany. If this does happen, it might like a song from Kenny Chesney called “There goes my life.”
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
LadyWyntire: “Fat is one of the last acceptable prejudices.” Amen and AMEN! // Thank you for capturing and stating my thoughts from yesterday far better than I did.
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
GaryCooper: No, not at all. (Disappointed at not seeing more of the body art expo) RandomAccess2: That’s what I perceive is the problem with the whole tattoo business. Like Luann’s “temp tattoo,” that temporary scribble is the temptation to get scarred for life. (Tattoos are, in fact, a scar) Don’t know if TemploSud wants to chime in on tattoos. He’s certainly not obliged to join in, but I think that we (TS and I) have similar views on that particular issue.
JCapelle Premium Member over 6 years ago
How can the words “The Real World and Tiffany” be used together?
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 6 years ago
Hmmm, some current accuracy to the teens in Luann? A new study shows modern teens delaying many of the performance markers of growing up which many of us and our parents met earlier. (For a number of us our grandparents met them much earlier, and some married and had children earlier if economics and essentials of life like food supply permitted.)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.12930/full
It is acceptable and expected practice to share abstracts (but otherwise only small quotes or paraphrases from professional journals, or press releases if available) so here is the abstract:
QUOTE
The social and historical contexts may influence the speed of development. In seven large, nationally representative surveys of U.S. adolescents 1976–2016 (N = 8.44 million, ages 13–19), fewer adolescents in recent years engaged in adult activities such as having sex, dating, drinking alcohol, working for pay, going out without their parents, and driving, suggesting a slow life strategy. Adult activities were less common when median income, life expectancy, college enrollment, and age at first birth were higher and family size and pathogen prevalence were lower, consistent with life history theory. The trends are unlikely to be due to homework and extracurricular time, which stayed steady or declined, and may or may not be linked to increased Internet use.
END QUOTE
I find myself wondering if physical and endocrinological markers of maturity are any different in degree, too, partly because teens of the same ages who were interviewed in a few popular press articles on the topic looked far younger than most of us in our yearbooks. Of course, they might well have been selected by the photographers for that reason.
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
Last thoughts on “Fat is one of the last acceptable prejudices”: I do think that is where Evans is taking this storyline, though I hope I’m wrong. As for Evans, frankly, in comic strip time, that talk with Gunther could have been a couple days ago, at best. It takes a LOT of time to put on weight, more than summer, more like a year or more. Yet, we saw Tiffany just a day or so ago (in Luann time).
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
Last comment, then I will go back to sleep: One silver lining in the cloud, I don’t see as much Gunther bashing today. I hope it stays that way. He is easily the most misunderstood character in this strip. I guess he’s just too easy to dislike. Heaven knows, I know what that’s like!
luann1212 over 6 years ago
Well this panel so sets up the Man, Bear scale that Vilyehm posted yesterday. Is Bernice a bear, with her snarkiness? I don’t think so, she is one of those friends who has a smart-ass comment to make by nature, but basically is a decent person at heart. Luann, I have high hopes she will be a total Man seer in this scenario. She and TIffany have been enemies (apparently) since back in grammar school. I think the reason is Tiffany is jealous because of Luann’s stable family, popularity, and threatened because Luann is a naturally beautiful girl. Another blonde. They have a long and a bit complicated relationship, but in the end I think Luann will be very surprised, and concerned what is happening with Tiffany. After all they are all together, including Gunthie. Gunther’s bluntness, and his closeness to Tiffany got her to face herself, and she did not like what she saw. To me the jury is still out on whether he is kind of a mean guy, very selfish, and not very emphatic, but this may turn out to be a litmus test for the characters, as it has for the posters here. By the way I thought it was cute how when Luann wanted to firm that young body, the tat was all distinct, but when she heard the news it dropped, or should I say drooped. Funny, but also makes an old guy jealous. Young people never seem to understand the beauty they just have.
old_timey_dude over 6 years ago
We’re going to see Bern go full-tilt cruel on Tiffany. Bern the Bully?
tcayer over 6 years ago
I wonder if that face has a BEARD?
smurf764 over 6 years ago
Wonder if Tiff is pregnant with morning sickness
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 6 years ago
I wish we could see Dez’s face because she has a more mature, more worldly, and more charitable acceptance of people than Luann sometimes has, and than Bernice often has. But, she is not the focus here. Like others i think that longer term this arc will also be about those two growing up more (or not) in terms of learning to accept others.
I think that it might also be partly about learning to accept oneself, and not hate oneself, and not only for Tiffany in the latter regard, but also Bernice and to a lesser amount Luann, too, if it happens.
alondra over 6 years ago
I’m not a fan of the word fat, and obese is even worse. The correct term is “girth challenged.”
lookslikemeband over 6 years ago
It’s a cartoon
someguy3 over 6 years ago
Get over yourselves and think for a second. B’s reaction is that she is concerned for her friend’s state of mind and future health. People do not just randomly become fat. It’s generally due to either poor food choices (Chicken McNuggets every day) or using food as a coping tool. Being fat is not good for your health, being strongly linked to adult onset diabetes and a host of other health issues.
T is fat because something is bothering her. Random speculation would be depression over realizing how shallow all her relationships have been, but that’s just speculation. A TRUE friend is one that notices and says, “Hey, Tiff, what’s up? Something is going on. Talk to me.”
Being Pollyanna and “just accepting as she is” is NOT being a friend and will NOT help her.
seismic-2 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Gunther is so self-absorbed that he hasn’t even checked up on Tiffany all summer, even though the last time he saw her he launched into a tirade of criticism that left her sobbing (and, apparently, so distraught that she has been binge-eating all through summer vacation). And remember, Gunther’s tirade that so devastated Tiffany’s sense of self was brought on purely out of anger that she had enjoyed herself at his Mom’s dinner party! I do hope Tiffany will explain that to Bernice and/or Luann. Someone needs to confront Gunther about it!
someguy3 over 6 years ago
On shaming in general-I was totally Gunther when I was a kid. I got shamed for it. I heard the shaming. I thought about it. I made course corrections. I’m now a LOT happier and more comfortable while still totally retaining my fundamental Gunther-ness.
We all make choices in our behaviors. Societal feedback on our behaviors is important. Some things society feeds back about are stupid, i.e. “women must wear high heels” “men must drink beer” but some is useful, “don’t smoke (sadly slipping away to ecigs)” and “maintain a healthy weight”. Being able to evaluate and incorporate or reject that feedback is a fundamental part of individual growth.
Rejecting the entire feedback cycle as “mean” is foolish and does not help us grow. Toughen up. Listen. Think. True introspection is painful, but it has huge benefits.
Luanaphile over 6 years ago
I hope this arc will explore sensitivity to weight gain, and its links to depression.
Asharah over 6 years ago
And why exactly is Tiffany’s weight gain Luann’s problem? They aren’t even attending the same school, although they are coworkers at the daycare. I think the last time they were in the same strip together was when Tiffany was getting irritated that Jack was fussing over Luann after the bowling ball accident.And Bernice found out about Tiffany at most a few hours before Luann, because Bernice was in the dorm “doing her duty” instead of going out with Luann & Dez. If Bernice is RA, why hasn’t she seen Tiffany, who lives in the same dorm, until today? I would think an RA’s duties would include checking on the residents when then first arrive at the start of the semester to see if they need any help settling in.
Luanaphile over 6 years ago
One problem is that labels create an identity. Tiffany is now the fat person. More accurate and more caring is to say, “I am concerned about her because she has put on a great deal of weight in just a few months.” Again it would be impressive if Bern walked her over to the student health service. Right now we can only speculate about the cause of this.
forbearly over 6 years ago
Yes, because pointing out someone’s weight gain is so much more “real world” than taking a break from the college grind to go have some fun. Here’s a thought: maybe if Tiffany had friends to go blow off steam with, she’d be able to avoid whatever caused the weight gain.
Ginispics over 6 years ago
I don’t think the intent is to fat-shame, but call attention to the fact that Tiff has a real problem with depression and is dealing with it in an unhealthy and non-productive way. Tiffany has come to realize in the adult world – reality- she “ain’t all that” and needs some support and direction to get a grip. People have weight issues for different reasons and no one should degrade them for what they know nothing about…when you see a connection like this – help her.
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
Arc tie in:
The boxes of Lingerie Ann Eiffel takes into the Fuse may hide the cards and poker chips,…
but she is also selling under the counter discount cosmetics.
Airman over 6 years ago
Still shocked from yesterday. Yes, I’m a shallow person, I wanted a cheerleader and got a middle linebacker.
locake over 6 years ago
There is no fat shaming here. Bernice told the others a factual statement about Tiff. She never said that Tiff is a bad person for gaining weight, there is no judgment involved.
Wizardgoat over 6 years ago
Virtually every day, there is more “snark” on here than anything else, with many posters poking each other in the ribs about their viewpoints. In general, I think that dialog is healthy, as it is good stimulus for thought.
But now look at all the comments criticizing Bernice for being snarky! When your index finger points at someone, your thumb is often pointing right back at number one.
Wizardgoat over 6 years ago
It’s just noon, and there are already over 250 snarky comments.
hersheyjgm over 6 years ago
My opinion. First of all I’m a bit tired of hearing the word ‘shaming’ so much. Based on the comments here there is a lot more ‘shaming’ going on that just about Tiffany’s suspected weight problem. Seems to me that any derogatory comment about anyone is ‘shaming’ of some sort but it looks like that’s OK with many of the commenters. Just a couple of examples: Yuban33 says ‘Bernice is so judgmental’. Capricorn9th says: ‘To think Tiffany helped Bernice change her boring headband hairstyle..’ Not to mention all the things said about Gunther and some of the others. Spikelovesmusic mentions ‘over analyzing’. No kidding! Ya think? I’ve read Luann for years and am amazed at all the over analyzing based on every little nuance, expression, words (both written and not written), demeanor, body language, etc., about what Greg may or may not really mean. Now that Sukiecrandall is back there will be lengthy, in-depth, explanations/opinions on the various subjects. Kinggroovy: ‘as someone who is 324 lbs, I have to say… you all disgust me with your childish whining. Knock it off. Tiffany got fat. Get over it’. I can relate with King but was the opposite. Broke the 100lb barrier in 9th grade at 6’1”. Finished 12th grade at 120lbs 6’1”. “Skinny” was one of the more pleasant terms I recall. At that time in my life my metabolism was in high gear I suppose. Could have been in my genes but being adopted I have no idea. Mostly I’m with King about ‘childish whining. Knock it off. Get over it.’ Someguy3 said it well but you may have to search back for that comment. Many years later now and about 90lbs have been added. I will admit that my mother was extremely happy when I finally got a butt! About 15 of the pounds around the middle I am trying to part with. It’s a process. I refer to it as my most effective stewardship investment. It’s grown over the years and was not affected by any of the economic downturns. Well, that’s it. Have fun shaming me about my comments.
astahl2003 over 6 years ago
Can you blame Tiffany? College is NOT for everyone and it was never a great fit for her. Bernice wants to help, she should tell Tiff to drop out or pursue that engineering/math degree Tiff alluded to earlier in her class schedule (& put on the weight associated with sedentary study habits). Bernice is too invested in her own identity as a smart girl/academic success to do this – note how shes referring to college as the “real world”. Either way telling Luann that Tiff is fat is really not how to handle the situation.
Jose_Muerte over 6 years ago
Meanwhile………..
JayBluE over 6 years ago
If it were Zebo we were commenting on (poking fun at him) , would that be mean?
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If we were calling Jack “thick” or “obtuse” for missing a social cue, would that be wrong?
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If we were to chide Gunther for his foibles or his “lack of coolness”, is that a “micro-aggression”?
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If we were to describe or comment on Knute’s crazy antics, or say how he’s so ‘nutty’ when talking about him on the board, or how “boring” we may feel “X” or “Y” character is, is that “out of bounds”?
jmarkoff2 over 6 years ago
Tiffany can become like Roxy Allen, a mildly famous fat sex symbol who lives near me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo_I6mlafwU&t=4s
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 6 years ago
ComicPipe Tobacco gc insider less than a minute ago
7
Afternoon pipe break analysis:
1. I dislike Bernice using the term “fat” in the ways she does here. It is pejorative, IMO. It is another of the various slams that people who are overweight have to deal with.
2. Bernice is smart enough to know the way she phrased her statement that it was pejorative. So, IMO, I am not wanting to give her any slack for this behavior.
3. I think Luann’s temporary tattoo on her abdomen is hilarious. And, I especially like the change in facial expression of it in the panels.
4. Bernice’s “three of those with room to spare” comment is especially egregious, IMO. It is just rude. But, I guess her “disdainful” look also comes into play here….. depending upon where the disdain is from:
a) Is it from her earlier frustration about tattoo/piercing party and Tara going?
b) Is it from her resenting Luann having fun and getting a temporary tattoo?
c) Is it from having a disdain for overweight people?
d) Is it some mixture of the above three ideas?
My initial thought was that it was “disdain” for overweight people….. because it was seen during her “room to spare” comment. But, really it could be interpreted in any way, a-d.
Terminal Frost Premium Member over 6 years ago
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 6 years ago
Quick note: i have NOT had much time to read comments recently, but on a quick skim today as well as yesterday i noticed many who felt that Tiffany needed intervention, help, medical investigation because of her sudden weight gain, and i agree that as a symptom it does point to core issues to address, ones such as oft-mentioned loneliness. What i have seen only ONE person mention (today) in my skimming (and, no, it was not me, but i agree) is that Bernice is every bit as much in need of such care due to her own dysfunctional behaviors.
ProfessionalRookie over 6 years ago
And Bern has gotten savage.
Schrodinger's Dog over 6 years ago
Bern is Bern. Luann is Luann. Des is Des.Tiffany is not herself.
BluNova over 6 years ago
Nice Bern. Despite being the psych major, you were more interested in blabbing about Tiffany’s weight gain (which technically was none of your business) than looking for a cause behind it. Maybe Tiffany is depressed or she may have had too much of Mrs. Berger’s cooking! Either way, that was very shallow. Another reason for you to get out more.
Lyons Group, Inc. over 6 years ago
The question should be: How did she get hefty?
kittysquared Premium Member over 6 years ago
Luann’s tat is surprisingly stupid. So many things she could have gone with – Puddles, musical notes…and she picks a silly tummy face. This timeline isn’t working for me. How can Tiff put on that much weight without anyone noticing? If it was from Mrs. Berger’s cooking, then Les and Gunther would have noticed (and maybe said something). If she was back at school when the gain began, then Bernice should have seen it happening. How much time has passed in the Luannverse that Tiff has gained that much weight, yet Ann’s party hasn’t been held yet? This makes no sense.
Schrodinger's Dog over 6 years ago
Context is important here. It’s not just that anyone is “fat” , but specifically Miss “perfect body” Tiffany. She’s been “in-your-face” for many years about her figure and beauty. So, even tho they may be sympathetic to her current plight, it’s natural they may feel some “karma” being re-distributed here.
beb01 over 6 years ago
Bernice is turning into a one-note character the way Delta did and we know what happened to Delta.
Code the Enforcer over 6 years ago
I have heard where sometimes a person will express a concern, having experienced something shocking, in a really poor way – it could be because it takes the mind and spirit maybe more than a little while to process what they’ve just seen/experienced. Think, ‘I just saw something that floored me!!’, but they come off initially as sounding mean to others when they talk about it.
Bernice is shocked by what she saw about Tiffany. She’s now expressing it, at first, by snarking at Luann and Dez after coming back from a fun event. Give reality (Luann-wise) a chance to settle in. Luann and Bernice (yes, her too), and especially Dez, are NOT mean-spirited characters. Lu and Bern may have their issues with Tiffany, but they won’t conspire against her. I think we’ve known or experienced how some dark-hearted people out there can actually be – and that type WOULD mock/attack/laugh at Tiffany, and openly.
Luann, Bernice, and Dez won’t attack her. They’ll fumble a bit, but they will come to help Tiffany, somehow. After all, the week is still young.
nathenleeturner over 6 years ago
So Bernice has decided to be the permanent wet-blanket. She was a sour pill when she and Luann met the boys at a bowling alley, she refuses to do anything but school work and now brings Luann down as fast as she can.
Liam Astle Premium Member over 6 years ago
“In case you care about the real world.” “My god you’re right, Bernice. I was selfish for wanting to go out and have fun and see new stuff. I should have stayed here with you so we can become old maids together.”
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
We get to see a lot of Luann’s tummy today, and its morphing temp tat. And, although Bernie is exaggerating somewhat, we’d see even more of new Tiff’s tummy if it were her.
Why has Pitts’ most notorious ex-cheerleading queen and would-be actress let herself go to the pits? Has all the baggage of the years of loneliness finally caught up with her?
Or, is she deliberately gaining weight for a role in some play/TV show/movie? (I know, that’s a stretch, but I thought I’d explore even that possibility.)
limarick over 6 years ago
Fat? Or PREGNANT.
JayBluE over 6 years ago
I keep wondering…..if Tiffsany (after taking to heart the essence of the after dinner conversation she had with Gunther) is ‘conducting an expiriment’, of sorts….like in ‘using a suit’….to really see how people would really react….nah…
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
Im eaeinf am inflartable japanese sumo wrestler outfit typinb. By olding a zstylus in my t÷th. I think this experiment is a failure.
Cavenee Lonnie Premium Member over 6 years ago
Lu should have gotten a tramp stamp.