I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ASK PEOPLE OUT [4/20/15]

[BenjaminT]

One might ask - why should he even try to fix things?

What attributes has Katia shown that would make anyone actually want to be with her?

She is an upbeat person that tries to see the good in others. She is generally nonjudgmental (although this hasn't been her best moment). He apparently finds her extremely physically attractive. She actually likes him (remember, it didn't take much for him to view his friendship with Candi as "epic," I believe. I think a lot of girls have been turned off by Thad in the past and so finding someone that can look past his flaws and see the good is a pretty big positive trait.

That said, I wouldn't mind Thad moving on. It would probably help Katia to reevaluate what she really wants and to make an extra effort for what she really wants.

[BenjaminT]

Crazy. It's almost like different genders and different individuals have different histories that determine our reactions to things.

Except you were really only right about one of those things.

Gender.

That would have been crucified solely based on the fact he owns a penis, and for no other reason.

Is there anything specific that leads you to believe it is only about gender?

If it was JUST gender then I think that Chris would get treated just as poorly as Thad. I don't think he would, though.

Yeah, UnstoppableTaboo makes a decent point that the history of the person can impact our present perceptions of people and their actions. But to just leave it at that does everyone a disservice in my opinion. I think we can learn a lot from what it is specifically about a person and their history that causes us to view them differently. Or is it just a gender thing? Or is it some other individual pet peeve of ours? The more we understand ourselves and each other the better we can keep our prejudices in check. So what is it about Thad that would cause us to react more harshly to this kind of behavior? Or why would gender skew our perceptions of an event so strongly?

[Longlivetheking]

Once again, Thud proves he is only fit to associate with slugs, worms, and slime molds. Thanks for reacting just like I thought you would, loser. Katia can do better. Lots better.

Are you serious? While he could have been more diplomatic, she freaking kept pushing him when he asked her to back her. Her last comment is one hell of a reaction-set-offer. Most people don't react well to "Okay you don't wanna talk about it, so I assume the date went bad.", not to mention is does seem manipulative as it's often a tactic used to make people talk more. Only Thad instead got pissed and said something out of line in anger. Yet he did so because she pushed him, a fact that some seem to gloss over. Both are wrong, but honestly Katia's actions don't deserve sympathy.

Actually when you think about it; she pulled an Alex. 'I'm not getting my way? I guess then I'll keep selfishly poking you until you cave.'

They both dun' fucked up; but honestly Katia opened the can of worms by not-dropping-the-subject like she was asked too.

I agree; was he supposed to just give in and tell her? Yes, he reacted in anger and said something stupid, but that doesn't mean Katia is in the right.

[ailorn]

Neither of them are right. I think both of their reactions are completely in character and understandable and justified based on their histories; thus I can sympathize with both. I cant agree with the argument that one or the other is undeserving of sympathy based on their reaction in these strips. They are both flawed characters with their own hang ups which conflict with one another. All part of being human... It is very similar to how we, the community, are responding differently, and reading into the strips in different ways based on our own perspectives. So maybe my 'lets all get along and understand both characters' is as effective as spitting into the wind.

[tounces7]

Crazy. It's almost like different genders and different individuals have different histories that determine our reactions to things.

Except you were really only right about one of those things.

Gender.

That would have been crucified solely based on the fact he owns a penis, and for no other reason.

Is there anything specific that leads you to believe it is only about gender?

If it was JUST gender then I think that Chris would get treated just as poorly as Thad. I don't think he would, though.

Yeah, UnstoppableTaboo makes a decent point that the history of the person can impact our present perceptions of people and their actions. But to just leave it at that does everyone a disservice in my opinion. I think we can learn a lot from what it is specifically about a person and their history that causes us to view them differently. Or is it just a gender thing? Or is it some other individual pet peeve of ours? The more we understand ourselves and each other the better we can keep our prejudices in check. So what is it about Thad that would cause us to react more harshly to this kind of behavior? Or why would gender skew our perceptions of an event so strongly?

The reason I'd say it's Gender - is because what exactly has Thad done wrong previous to this?

I mean if this were Alex I could understand.

Also like I said you only need to look through a few post histories to see there are some here who are not merely critical of the comic strip characters but of "all men" in general.

[Sylvanaerie]

I have noticed a couple posters seem to have it out for the male members of the cast, almost exclusively, regardless of circumstance. And a couple posters actually come across to me as simply disliking 99% of the cast regardless of gender or actions.

In the case of the first, I just ignore some of the more militant viewpoints as a reaction related to their personal history to the situations. Even if I don't agree with their assessments, I think Starline should take it as a compliment that her ability to storytell has touched them so deeply, and caused them to empathize with her characters. In the case of the latter, I pretty much ignore everything they post though they haven't made my 'ignore' list yet. At least one annoying poster (who is gone from the forums now) was on my ignore list. No one else has annoyed me to that extent.

I've also noticed, with the exception of a couple of posts--one of which, btw is from one of those latter type posters, this thread full of support for the idea that both "done messed up", not exclusively blaming Thad for blowing up without cause. Some may be empathizing more with Katia because what Thad said really was a low blow and had little to actually do with the subject of the argument, but except for a couple posters, no one seems to believe Katia is totally blameless in this. What he said was out of line, even if it's understandable why he said it. And that both are being portrayed in a believable and human manner. And in the final panel once he's calmed down a bit, we can see the regret on his face. Unfortunately we weren't treated to Katia's "cool down reaction" yet, so we have no inkling what her thought processes are at the moment.

[extinctosaurus]

Low blow, Thad ;_; I think someone earlier said it; Katia needed a theoretical slap to the face for her pressuring but not THAT particular slap to the face. Seems like Thad realized it at the end, though?

I wonder if this is going to be the beginning of Thad distancing himself from Katia (unless he already was; I have bad memory ). Good for him if he's able to move on now!

[cursormortis]

One might ask - why should he even try to fix things?

What attributes has Katia shown that would make anyone actually want to be with her?

I mean look - She's not willing to commit to even seeing a single person, she's extremely rude, she's extremely naive.

I mean, that doesn't put her very far off from Linda when it comes to someone wanting to do anything other than "hang-out with/1-night stand her". But then again - she doesn't seem to want anything more than that anyway.

I don't remember her backstory too well off-hand, but I am assuming she had EXTREMELY strict/religious parents.

She's cute and she puts out.

Seriously, and more importantly, she's a generally upbeat person who seems fun to hang out with. She just has this minor issue of putting her foot in her mouth. So what if she doesn't want to be exclusive? They can still be friends. Thad seems to have a pretty good handle on keeping his crush under control, so there's really no reason they shouldn't try being friends.

As for this situation, they'll apologize and make up eventually. That's what friends do.

[BenjaminT]

Low blow, Thad ;_; I think someone earlier said it; Katia needed a theoretical slap to the face for her pressuring but not THAT particular slap to the face. Seems like Thad realized it at the end, though?

I wonder if this is going to be the beginning of Thad distancing himself from Katia (unless he already was; I have bad memory ). Good for him if he's able to move on now!

I think if Katia had just moved on and started dating lots of other people Thad would have simply felt sad and not mad. I think the fact that she stunted their relationship for something she wants but isn't even going after is really bugging him. It showed a bit in an earlier conversation they had where she admitted to being jealous but couldn't determine whether she was jealous of him being with another girl or jealous of him being able to find a date. Then she admits to wanting to know about his dating life in hopes that she'll learn something about how to do it herself. I think he's feeling a bit used and so THAT particular slap in the face probably feels more relevant to him than it does to us.

To him, she seems to be saying, "I want you to talk about her so I can get what I want [ability to ask people out] and if I don't get what I want I'm going to assume bad things about you." He gets flustered and basically says, "Fine, assume bad things but that's not going to get you what you want from me [ability to ask people out]. In this conversation at least, she's the one who brought up her inability to date in the context of her desire to have him share about his ability to date. It doesn't make it any less of a low blow or the wrong thing to say but it makes sense that he'd go THERE when pushed to his limit.

What he probably doesn't know (unless it was mentioned off screen) was that Katia JUST finished telling Linda that she used to assume bad things about people but it didn't make her happy. So now, when he doesn't give her what she wants she threatens to assume bad things again? Perhaps threaten isn't the right word as I agree with others that it could very well be unintentional.

[Acidbuk]

Once again, Thud proves he is only fit to associate with slugs, worms, and slime molds. Thanks for reacting just like I thought you would, loser. Katia can do better. Lots better.

And who is "lots better" than "Thud"?

Alex? Jon?

Matt and Trevor are taken, although I guess Trevor might be available soon if their long distance thing doesn't work out. Is Trevor lots better than Thad?

I'm sure plenty might see Chris as lots better...but doesn't Candi have dibs on him?

Who does that leave? Nate? Oh sure, lots better than Thad.

Thad and Katia both have severe anxiety at times. Katia around (most) boys and Thad around alligators. Both tend to be oblivious to others at times. Thad, when he's waxing arrogant, and Katia, when she's thinking about boys and how to land more of them. Both can be bluntly honest at times. I think they are around on par with each other.

On a side note, that last panel seems to show Thad feeling a bit of regret. He may be inclined to apologize in the near future. Perhaps he'd even give in and help her out with her men issues. It would be funny seeing Thad as Katia's wing man.

edited to add: forgot to mention, both are prone to idealizing members of the opposite sex. This encounter may actually help both of them develop a deeper relationship beyond the fantasy pedestal they put each other on...or help them decide they don't want a deeper relationship and move on.

I don't think she's referring to anyone in the comic. I think she's referring to a theoretical "Knight in Shining Armor". Except, a Knight in Shining armor who doesn't use chivalry, because "That would be sexist".

As I said - there's some obvious misandry here on the forums, which can be conclusively determined by just reading a few post histories.

Wait, Attalus is a woman? ...I Always thought Attalus was a guy >.> I'm not actually certain if I need to apologise for that or not...

If the roles had been reversed, and Thad was the one pressuring Katia to talk about her date, Thad would've been crucified.

But if it had been Chris who acted that way it would have been considered playful (and of course, adorable) teasing.

For the Record Chris bothers me too. He's affable enough. but he just bothers me.

[Attalus]

Once again, Thud proves he is only fit to associate with slugs, worms, and slime molds. Thanks for reacting just like I thought you would, loser. Katia can do better. Lots better.

And who is "lots better" than "Thud"?

Alex? Jon?

Everybody but Alex. Oh, and Heinrich Himmler