Ahh, Valentine's Day... A "holiday" that strikes fear in the hearts of the newly coupled, worried that their gift-giving and grand romantic gestures might not live up to the great expectations foisted upon us from Hallmark and countless RomComs.
It's also a day for singles to celebrate themselves, their friends and family, and maybe thumb their nose at society's pressure to be part of a couple come each fourteenth of February. (Hint: singles don't need a significant other to be able to celebrate how awesome they are!)
These cartoons - originally published in the Washington Post as part of the widely-syndicated Carolyn Hax advice column - point out how complicated people and relationships are, and how sometimes you just have to shake your head and laugh.
The artist, Nick Galifianakis, has been drawing his comic "Nick and Zuzu" for the Washington Post for over twenty years. The fact that Carolyn Hax is his ex-wife - and that they continue to work together as happily divorced colleagues - adds more than just a little irony to the work of this "relationship cartoonist".
Nick has a book of his work available in print: "If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was Cute: Uncomfortably True Cartoons About You." The forward is written by his struggling actor cousin, Zach Galifianakis. The perfect gift for anyone with a sense of humor, or for that Ex without one!
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Party Of One
I know, right. How Dare she flaunt her carefree attitude and boundless joy in such a public setting. (lucky b***h)
Amen!
Signs Everywhere
But I’m Different
I find it hilarious when a partner cheats on their spouse and leaves the spouse to be with whoever they cheated with. The partner might just cheat on you like they did with their ex! Ya idiot
Like the girl who dates a married guy and says, "He's leaving his wife for me because he loves me." Good luck with that.
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Just as fun are the ones who've been cheated on and refuse to grow from it, thus ruining any chance for future relationships to thrive. Having fears of being hurt again is understandable, but I've met too many who let it dominate their lives.
Bummer! One of my "criteria" for a good guy for me is someone who's done some inner work, and enough of it! Not someone who dipped his toes in only to grab a few concepts he loves to bandy about bc it makes him feel evolved, sage, smart (-er than others) and oh-so-wise, but someone who's done real work and can communicate honestly and effectively, without low-blow attacks and with a true desire to get to a better place. I've learned that partners who can't communicate just can't go the long haul. It's my experience that about all of my meaningful relationships-- romantic and otherwise-- invariably encounter situations that need to be addressed for some level of modifications for each person for smoother traveling going forward. Bc, frankly, all I really want is smooth traveling, fun and joy.
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Fool me one time, shame on you. Fool me like every other girl before me, definitely shame on me.
The Hand-Me-Down
Setting The Bar
Familiarity
A2 + B2 = Jerk2
I mean, if you're losing either way, might as well be honest about it.
The Keeper
The Drag
Get That Cross-Stitched On A Pillow
Tick-Tock...
had to laugh at this one--experience has taught me that the person i start dating lasts only about 3 months before the REAL person behind the facade begins to emerge. it can be good, it can be bad...it's all what you make of it
The Future Viral Video
Separation
The Bestseller
Now this one I LOVE! They're all fantastic cartoons, please, give us more!
The Realist
The Close Call
It's not true love until you survive the roaches-and-ramen period.
Never A Second Date
I found the opposite - if you're not feeling the chemistry after the first date, you never will, don't waste time waiting for it to happen no matter how "perfect" that person seems on paper. When I met my future wife for the first time (not on a date), I felt the chemistry immediately and by the time we had our first date, I knew I wanted to marry her.
The Low Bar
The Anti-Romantic
Compliment Fail
Someone For Everyone
there is not someone for everyone. I'm convinced of it.
Settling
Cheating?
What’s The Secret Word...?
Can someone please make one that actually celebrates singleness without actually downing relationships?!
I agree!! I did think the one where the waiter wants to relocate the single lady for looking "too content" hits the mark some.
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The only problem I see here, is that this seems to make men out as the bad guy in all this. No offence, but women can equally horrid, if not more so. Just saying.
Killer cartoons...the artwork, narrative...the whole thing, is incredible. The style is reminiscent of Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes; high praise indeed! More please!
100% agreed, and i think the author's got blue hair so i definitely root for her ;D
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These are pretty dark, but I must say... I can't think if characters that I've ever seen that looked like this before. All of them, to me, are wholly original. Really fantastic work!
Having read all these I am so glad I am happily single and will always remain so. Who needs the pain heartache and inconvenience of dating.
My girlfriend and I broke up, it was better for her mental health and she said, I quote, "just not feeling it anymore". I love her so much but we're best friends still and it's going fine. I suddenly have an urge to sleep with a bunch of girls to get rid of the pain. Nah..
As someone else mentioned - you can also follow Nick's cartoons at GoComics: https://www.gocomics.com/nick-and-zuzu
Can someone please make one that actually celebrates singleness without actually downing relationships?!
I agree!! I did think the one where the waiter wants to relocate the single lady for looking "too content" hits the mark some.
Load More Replies... The only problem I see here, is that this seems to make men out as the bad guy in all this. No offence, but women can equally horrid, if not more so. Just saying.
Killer cartoons...the artwork, narrative...the whole thing, is incredible. The style is reminiscent of Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes; high praise indeed! More please!
100% agreed, and i think the author's got blue hair so i definitely root for her ;D
Load More Replies... These are pretty dark, but I must say... I can't think if characters that I've ever seen that looked like this before. All of them, to me, are wholly original. Really fantastic work!
Having read all these I am so glad I am happily single and will always remain so. Who needs the pain heartache and inconvenience of dating.
My girlfriend and I broke up, it was better for her mental health and she said, I quote, "just not feeling it anymore". I love her so much but we're best friends still and it's going fine. I suddenly have an urge to sleep with a bunch of girls to get rid of the pain. Nah..
As someone else mentioned - you can also follow Nick's cartoons at GoComics: https://www.gocomics.com/nick-and-zuzu
