I don’t think it’s necessarily a tragic story.
Affection feels like this incredibly powerful force when you’re in your summer years, but once autumn comes around many people find that their tastes change. You don’t want the rollercoaster of emotion, you want something steady and comfortable. The tea and blanket of relationships, if you will.
AKP
Yeah there’s something really special about how something feels at the beginning, especially when you’re a wildly anxious wreck. When you’re in it you would probably prefer it was not that way, but every once in awhile now that everything is stable and happy I think back on it very very fondly.
Ever meet someone who just makes you stop in your tracks, but you have absolutely no fucking idea what to do about it? That’s happened to me at least three times.
J. Spider
@Needfuldoer do you have ADHD? I’m just curious as I had similar issues during my teenage years where my early emotions/crushes would lock me out of even being able to approach people. I’d experience intense emotions so rapidly I couldn’t process it.
Apparently low emotional regulation can be tied to ADHD though it can also be several other factors.
Needfuldoer
Yes. When I was diagnosed (almost 20 years ago, holy smokes), it was “ADD” because I don’t have the hyperactivity. I think the current DSM would call it ADHD-PI? I’m also technically slightly Autistic; it used to be named after a controversial German scientist but that terminology’s since fallen out of favor.
For me it’s less “lockout”, more “oh crap what do I do what do I do” as I get extremely self-conscious, fear of coming across as a creep sets in, and all masking goes out the window. I have less than zero game.
It’s a bit like this early strip where Walky meets Dorothy, except I don’t throw toys at them. (Maybe that’s the secret?)
“I’m going to stand REALLY STILL until you are my friend, this will definitely not work and I know it but I REALLY WANT IT TO WORK”
J. Spider
I’ve wondered about being tested in the more modern age but as a teenager I was tested as having ADHD along with an above average retention rate. Looking around I’ve realized alot of my more recent friends have generally been on the spectrum. I’m not sure if that would mean I do but I do like people who hyperfixate which is a symptom of both ADHD and autism because I find people with clear interests are easier to understand than nerotypical folks who give generic responses I don’t always follow.
I used to get self concious more around crowds or I’d overthink how I walk lol.
I think my lockout also occured from my religious upbringing which filled my head with alot of paranoia about how relationships are supposed to match up. I think some of that programming still interferes with me today.
Have you had many relationships? I’ve found the ones that I’ve had always stemmed from strong friendships over time which is where adulthood sucks since there isn’t a college commons to hang around and play Yugioh.
I’m also curious if you’ve heard of RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria)? It isn’t an official diagnosis yet but there’s a correlation with ADHD and RSD at least to my understanding.
Experience makes you more cautious with your feelings and that doesn’t mean that attachment is beyond you but it does mean I don’t rapidly experience attachment/excitement the way I did as a teenager/young adult. Also alot of emotions lack the same kick when they’re not new.
I can relate to Joyce alot as I came from a very restrictive upbringing. Despite being a guy and my deconversion happening in my late 20’s rather than early on in College.
I struggled with a sense of identity without the religion and then I worked retention customer service during the pandemic which overloaded me with emotional labor. Doing waaaay better now but doing high intensity emotional support without much of my own just drained me which would be my terrible secret past.
This strip resonates way too much with me for my comfort lol, 10/10 for effort Joyce. Replace the arms behind the head with one curled up on my chest in a non-existent waistcoat like an 1800’s portrait and I’m pretty sure I’ve done this.
This feels…Very familiar on an IRL level. Knowing you’re both at least baseline attracted to each other, but unsure of what to do with it. Vastly different experiences, and zero “relationship experience” from both ends of the spectrum? Like Joe’s never had a real girlfriend has he?
Joe’s never had a girlfriend on screen, talked about one, nor has Danny or Dorothy (both of whom knew him before college) has mentioned. That is not to say he hasn’t had one. I can totally imagine a “prequel” plotlines where Young Joe had his heart broken and he vowed to never catch feelings again, and he and Danny swore to Never Mention Her Name Again, etc. But you are correct. This is Joes’s first real relationship on screen and from all the information we know, first ever.
The way Joyce acts about Joe make me question whether she actually likes him or is just horny. It would be ironic if he finally has real feelings for a girl and she is only interested in his body. I hope that’s not the case, I don’t want him to get hurt
Today’s strip is not an example of this, but it seems like she’s a lot more comfortable around him than her other friends. Like she doesn’t have to hide anything or compete for time. Her feelings probably aren’t the same as his, but she’s more than just horny.
I’ve also thought this tbh, and i hope there’s more going on than just lust, but we honestly haven’t seen that much from Joyce to suggest it. It is clear that she trusts him more than many people in her life right now, which is heartening… Seems like it definitely could become more.
You’re probably not going to like the things they had to say about each other, but they clearly had some kind of mutual attraction as soon as they met, and Joyce seemed to think of Joe as perfect dating material (at first). https://www.dumbingofage.com/2010/comic/book-1/03-men-are-from-beck-women-are-from-clark/follow/
The line between physical and emotional attraction can be blurry/wavy/squiggly but I get the sense that Joyce actually is drawn to Joe as a person and not just a source of meat.
She has repeatedly expressed disappointment in Joe when he’s brushed off emotional attachment, most recently when describing him as “libido with a face.” If that were the case (barring Joyce’s many existing hang-ups), she would have been nearly so excited to find he has feelings.
I don’t get where people keep getting this idea that she’s not actually emotionally invested in Joe.
She actually is nailing it. Her goofy, corny, naive purity is what sets her apart, it’s why Joe thinks she’s special. That and her irrational fear of soup.
Joyce is trying to figure out how to become less sexually repressed, like Joe; Joe is trying to figure out how to become more romantically inclined, like Joyce. Is it just me or is this relationship heading for disaster?
105 thoughts on “Nice”
Ana Chronistic
“GOOD THING I DIDN’T MENTION HIS BUTT OR ANYTHING”
…
“HIS TUSH IS HIS THING RIGHT”
Lumino
10/10
Doctor_Who
Ah, no wonder she wore such a short jacket. Easier access to her tummy.
GholaHalleck
The fun part of this is, if you go back a page, there’s a oddly square-headed shadow next to joyce’s parents.
Sirksome
Eh, the jacket’s covering most of it anyway.
BBCC
Oh, absolutely. Very smooth. Such flirt, much romance. Wow.
Clif
Joyce is nailing it.
Emperor Norton II
At least she wants to nail it, HEEYO!
Masumi
Suddenly I’m worrying how many times I thought I’m nailing a social situation, but was, in fact, very much not.
Taellosse
Often, the ratio is alarmingly high – most humans grossly overestimate their own abilities.
Needfuldoer
[Plays Smooth on bagpipes]
True Survivor
That last thought can be taken several different ways – one of them very different form the others.
DailyBrad
I mean, can’t argue with results. He’s smitten with her, so she’s sorta doing this right.
justin8448
Joyce still finding more ways to be adorable, confirmed.
Needfuldoer
She can do the impossible!
Mark
She accomplished that by just being Joyce.
J. Spider
She is nailing this, I think Joe’s feelings are going to blind him anyways.
Kinda envious, I remember feeling strong emotion/attachment but it’s been a decade lol
True Survivor
I’m so sorry. That sounds horrible. What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?
Moonlighter
I don’t think it’s necessarily a tragic story.
Affection feels like this incredibly powerful force when you’re in your summer years, but once autumn comes around many people find that their tastes change. You don’t want the rollercoaster of emotion, you want something steady and comfortable. The tea and blanket of relationships, if you will.
AKP
Yeah there’s something really special about how something feels at the beginning, especially when you’re a wildly anxious wreck. When you’re in it you would probably prefer it was not that way, but every once in awhile now that everything is stable and happy I think back on it very very fondly.
Needfuldoer
I’ll
overshare.Ever meet someone who just makes you stop in your tracks, but you have absolutely no fucking idea what to do about it? That’s happened to me at least three times.
J. Spider
@Needfuldoer do you have ADHD? I’m just curious as I had similar issues during my teenage years where my early emotions/crushes would lock me out of even being able to approach people. I’d experience intense emotions so rapidly I couldn’t process it.
Apparently low emotional regulation can be tied to ADHD though it can also be several other factors.
Needfuldoer
Yes. When I was diagnosed (almost 20 years ago, holy smokes), it was “ADD” because I don’t have the hyperactivity. I think the current DSM would call it ADHD-PI? I’m also technically slightly Autistic; it used to be named after a controversial German scientist but that terminology’s since fallen out of favor.
For me it’s less “lockout”, more “oh crap what do I do what do I do” as I get extremely self-conscious, fear of coming across as a creep sets in, and all masking goes out the window. I have less than zero game.
It’s a bit like this early strip where Walky meets Dorothy, except I don’t throw toys at them. (Maybe that’s the secret?)
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2010/comic/book-1/02-uphill-from-here/dexter/
Carms
“I’m going to stand REALLY STILL until you are my friend, this will definitely not work and I know it but I REALLY WANT IT TO WORK”
J. Spider
I’ve wondered about being tested in the more modern age but as a teenager I was tested as having ADHD along with an above average retention rate. Looking around I’ve realized alot of my more recent friends have generally been on the spectrum. I’m not sure if that would mean I do but I do like people who hyperfixate which is a symptom of both ADHD and autism because I find people with clear interests are easier to understand than nerotypical folks who give generic responses I don’t always follow.
I used to get self concious more around crowds or I’d overthink how I walk lol.
I think my lockout also occured from my religious upbringing which filled my head with alot of paranoia about how relationships are supposed to match up. I think some of that programming still interferes with me today.
Have you had many relationships? I’ve found the ones that I’ve had always stemmed from strong friendships over time which is where adulthood sucks since there isn’t a college commons to hang around and play Yugioh.
I’m also curious if you’ve heard of RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria)? It isn’t an official diagnosis yet but there’s a correlation with ADHD and RSD at least to my understanding.
J. Spider
Most people are kinda getting it.
Experience makes you more cautious with your feelings and that doesn’t mean that attachment is beyond you but it does mean I don’t rapidly experience attachment/excitement the way I did as a teenager/young adult. Also alot of emotions lack the same kick when they’re not new.
I can relate to Joyce alot as I came from a very restrictive upbringing. Despite being a guy and my deconversion happening in my late 20’s rather than early on in College.
I struggled with a sense of identity without the religion and then I worked retention customer service during the pandemic which overloaded me with emotional labor. Doing waaaay better now but doing high intensity emotional support without much of my own just drained me which would be my terrible secret past.
Stephen Bierce
*tries looking for an old jingle for blue jeans*
RacingTurtle
Heaven help her, Joe has got his blue jeans on
Plain Marie
Forever in blue jeans, babe.
Bittersweet
This strip resonates way too much with me for my comfort lol, 10/10 for effort Joyce. Replace the arms behind the head with one curled up on my chest in a non-existent waistcoat like an 1800’s portrait and I’m pretty sure I’ve done this.
Yumi
Love when I tell myself to be normal, and then blurt out the weirdest shit. Definitely familiar with the last panel internal reaction.
Yotomoe
That’s rude Joyce. Don’t call Joe a “This”.
Sirksome
Poor boy put his heart out there and she only see’s him as a “this”. That’s rough.
Yotomoe
It really takes some of the fun out of the nailing.
anon
Well i’m sure he’ll forgive some objectification ;P
GholaHalleck
Joe “Maytag” Rosenthal.
Grimey
This feels…Very familiar on an IRL level. Knowing you’re both at least baseline attracted to each other, but unsure of what to do with it. Vastly different experiences, and zero “relationship experience” from both ends of the spectrum? Like Joe’s never had a real girlfriend has he?
Fred
Joe’s never had a girlfriend on screen, talked about one, nor has Danny or Dorothy (both of whom knew him before college) has mentioned. That is not to say he hasn’t had one. I can totally imagine a “prequel” plotlines where Young Joe had his heart broken and he vowed to never catch feelings again, and he and Danny swore to Never Mention Her Name Again, etc. But you are correct. This is Joes’s first real relationship on screen and from all the information we know, first ever.
GholaHalleck
I always pegged it as Joe’s living under the shadow of his father’s womanizing.
If he had any kind of serious relationship, it was probably hosed by either his dad banging his GF’s mom,
or the GF being skeezed out about his dad and thinking “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” and breaking up with him and breaking his heart.
Creating the “no woman could ever really love me, I’ll be a man whore and never catch feelings again!” stance he had at the start of comic.
adam Black
Now I know why Joyce is unsure where to put her hands.
Ray
Sat with my autistic face in my hand for five minutes trying to think of a comment besides ‘same’.
…Same.
Erica
The way Joyce acts about Joe make me question whether she actually likes him or is just horny. It would be ironic if he finally has real feelings for a girl and she is only interested in his body. I hope that’s not the case, I don’t want him to get hurt
shrub
They have built up a level of trust through prior interactions so maybe there’s more than lust going on
I hope there’s more going on
HueSatLight
Today’s strip is not an example of this, but it seems like she’s a lot more comfortable around him than her other friends. Like she doesn’t have to hide anything or compete for time. Her feelings probably aren’t the same as his, but she’s more than just horny.
Steelbright
I’ve also thought this tbh, and i hope there’s more going on than just lust, but we honestly haven’t seen that much from Joyce to suggest it. It is clear that she trusts him more than many people in her life right now, which is heartening… Seems like it definitely could become more.
Dday
You’re probably not going to like the things they had to say about each other, but they clearly had some kind of mutual attraction as soon as they met, and Joyce seemed to think of Joe as perfect dating material (at first).
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2010/comic/book-1/03-men-are-from-beck-women-are-from-clark/follow/
The line between physical and emotional attraction can be blurry/wavy/squiggly but I get the sense that Joyce actually is drawn to Joe as a person and not just a source of meat.
Mark
Indeed, Joe is being smarmy, but that’s not his usual approach.
Nono
Having rubbed one out might have helped.
Schpoonman
She has repeatedly expressed disappointment in Joe when he’s brushed off emotional attachment, most recently when describing him as “libido with a face.” If that were the case (barring Joyce’s many existing hang-ups), she would have been nearly so excited to find he has feelings.
I don’t get where people keep getting this idea that she’s not actually emotionally invested in Joe.
Schpoonman
*wouldn’t have been…
Reltzik
Narrator: “She was not, in fact, nailing this.”
Suet
So nailing it
Sajuuk-Khar
Roz, appearing as if via eldritch summoning: “Actually, Joyce, that’s called pegging, and—”
RassilonTDavros
I can’t read about characters complimenting each other’s butts without thinking of the greatest shot in the history of animation.
Dana
That was certainly a video.
The Wellerman
I think this is what’s called a YouTube Poop. ?
Golden Yak
Hook, line, sinker, rod, and copy of ‘Angling Monthly’, Joyce.
UrsulaDavina
Nailing it 100% Joyce!
His tush probably does look good in the outfit but it is not be addressed.
shrub
This is a nice, awkward, sweet interaction between two friends that are well suited to each other, it’s good to see
Hopefully Dorothy doesn’t turn up to ruin it
Warcodered
flawless
brionl
Boy, it’s nice to see somebody who is worse with the opposite sex than I am.
Blume
You’re doing great sweetie!
Dday
She actually is nailing it. Her goofy, corny, naive purity is what sets her apart, it’s why Joe thinks she’s special. That and her irrational fear of soup.
Steelbright
Yes, those are the excellent, social, casual remarks of someone who is not horny in the slightest.
Bryy
She’s not nailing him yet.
The Wellerman
yet…
Pocky
knocking it out of the park
Raja
Grade A flirting, keep it up
V
Joyce is trying to figure out how to become less sexually repressed, like Joe; Joe is trying to figure out how to become more romantically inclined, like Joyce. Is it just me or is this relationship heading for disaster?
Mark
Or is it destined to become legendary? Sounds like a combination that could be very bad or awesome depending on how they manage it.
Daibhid C
Yeah, it feels like its either “meet in the middle” or “miss each other, over-correct, crash and burn”. I’m hoping for the former.
Bogeywoman