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Artist’s 30 Funny Comics That Focus Attention On Everyday Conversations And A Job In Retail
Interview With Artist
It's a common misconception that everyday life is dull, void of any humor, and just straight-up unappealing to even think about. However, there are artists like Stephen Beals who focus explicitly on mundane things and disprove this notion. Who's Stephen Beals? He is the artist that created "Adult Children Comics" which we present here. If we were to shortly sum up what they're about, we'd have to say that they're mostly about stuff that most of us have to deal with: small-talk conversations, dreadful work, leisure and all of the other fun stuff we experience day to day. Which is why they're very relatable and understandable, and even hit painfully close to home. The artist was very happy to get published by Bored Panda, as he's a fan of the website himself, so Stephen, if you're reading this right now: your comics are well worth it!
More info: Instagram | twitter.com | Facebook | stbeals.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
jjdubs W 4 years ago
We tried that in the States. Then he staged a rebellion. NOT recommended, LOL!
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Stephen was very eager to talk about the comic and himself, and we're happy to share it with you: "I've been drawing comics forever out of pure love for the art form. My degree is in animation, but I drifted towards print and graphic art.
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#2
The Deez 4 years ago
This is so true! I worked at a cafe all during the pandemic and told my coworkers that I was going to have to break some bad habits when things went back to normal. For example, it's really easy to fake a smile by squinting your eyes juuuuust right. And I also was going to have to stop mouthing sassy responses to people being jerks... LOL!
Johnny Rodriguez 4 years ago
@The Deez: Don't stop mouthing sassy responses to people being jerks! (please) Who else could do it? Mummy and daddy won't..
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BetterBitterButter 4 years ago
You can see people you know in public places and maybe they won't identify you.
#3
Lynne Monteith 4 years ago
I heard a great story of someone who worked in a dog friendly office but didn't have a dog. One day a lady comes in and is a bit flustered but wants to leave her dog. Worker says okay and takes said dog for the day, thinking it is someone from the office's friend or something. At the end of the day the lady comes back and asks how much she owes. Lights come on for worker that she saw all the dogs and thought it was the doggy daycare (Next block over). Worker doesn't want to embarrass the lady over the mistake, and hey the dog was great company, so says $20. This becomes an ongoing thing until the lady sees HER dog in workers Office Christmas Photo Card at a friend's office. She comes in and asks all the questions. Worker fesses up. Next week she is back. Where else can my dog get one on one attention for $20?
Kimberley Gayle Thomas 4 years ago
I read that here on boredpanda.com months ago.
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Nathan Pogorzala 4 years ago
The ADA (US) does not protect emotional support animals. They aren't a thing.
Sordatos 4 years ago
Because is emotional support animals are pets with a fancy classification.
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"My comics were something I made after work to let off steam. They were filler until "The Big Idea" came along. "The Big Idea" was to be a concept so enthralling that it would take the world by storm, whatever that means.
Storms are something most people generally avoid, but if a product becomes super successful it's apparently wise to pack an umbrella. I don't get umbrellas, either. Umbrellas are useless in high winds. Manufacturers want to sell umbrellas, right? So what do they do? They make them supported by a metal-colored piece of linguini, and any actual storm will break them into the pasta strands that they are. Then you have to buy another umbrella. Smart. Very smart."
#4
Muff_Fluff 4 years ago
Just saw the raptor has a pocket in its leg since it doesn’t have pants 😂
Tami 4 years ago
Wonder if companies could require nicotine-addicted employees to use patches instead of going outside? Not saying that'd be good or bad, just wondering. As a former smoker, I could understand them doing that. Smoke breaks can stretch to 15-20 minutes or more especially if other smokers are around, and smoking areas are messy.
F. H. 4 years ago (edited)
Many companies simply do not allow smoking breaks or require you to clock out for them. How the smokers deal with that is their own decision, the company can't make them wear patches. It's not the same as a toilet break, it's a recreational activity and therefore not to be done on the clock.
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Neil Bidle 4 years ago
I've always wondered how people get away with having so many smoke breaks (and then come back stinking), when those who don't have to just keep working.
#5
Sandy Kavanaugh 4 years ago
If the new hire had been a woman, there'd have not been any perks.
Boodah Jones 4 years ago
No, their current employees should get a fair f*****g raise. How dumb can you be to think it's fair to start new people at the same rate as an employee who's been there for years when that's not the rate they were given when they started! You're part of the problem.
Load More Replies... "My "letting off steam" comic shoved aside my "big idea" idea comic like a linguini umbrella in a storm. I titled it "Adult Children".
To my delight, GoComics digitally syndicated Adult Children and you can find it on many newspaper websites. I make enough money with it to buy the occasional umbrella or pasta meal, but not both."
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Shelley DuVal 4 years ago
Should be easy, look at all the crying and nappy changes you will have saved.
Load More Replies... Neil Bidle 4 years ago
No, it's still a lie because you brought up the child before being asked anything.
Donna Cheung 4 years ago
Still incorrect to lie. You should just say "no I can't work overtime" without needing to justify why. Whether a person is going to pick up their child or just lying home to sleep is none of the boss' business really.
Bipolar Bear 4 years ago
I'm going to try this imaginary child as well...(I work for my Aunt so that'll be fun.)
Roe Rainrunner 4 years ago
Unfortunatly my company can check the payroll to see there are no children :-D
Michelle Otto 4 years ago
After realising that people with kids get away with murder, Im thinking of inventing a couple myself.
"The characters are me divided into parts. Harvey (named after my grandfather) is me as I present myself to the world. Berle is my complete ID. Penny is my small sliver of responsibility. Claremont is the best of me, which is why he's a dog. I will never be as good as my dog, even after that time she knocked over my framed Van Gogh print and smashed it into a million pieces. I know she loved that Van Gogh print as much as I did and her sorrow was written all over her face. She deserved a treat."
#8
ThatOneWriter 4 years ago
This. Please don't do this to retail workers. It happens all the time and I mean ALL the time. I got hit on while 8 months pregnant 🤦♀️
#9
Michael Cate 3 years ago
i mean if a clerk can give a quick 2 second answer instead of having to walk thru a big supermarket lol
Neil Bidle 4 years ago
Seems reasonable, he did say "people" and not "lazy idiots who ask stupid questions"
"Lately I've been writing about retail because I took my graphic art skills to a standing position.
Graphic art can be very fulfilling, but you're not talking to anyone. Sitting and snacking all day, you can literally hear your rear end getting wider as your Levi's split open.
I now work for a print shop where I get to make things for people in person. Some days are very rewarding while other days make me want to stitch up my Levi's and sit back down.
However, people are endlessly fascinating and I can't give it up."
#10
"My comic took a turn during the pandemic because I was working six days a week and there was a lot of steam to be let off. People who refused to wear masks, those who wanted an audience for their conspiracy theories, and those who loudly shared their political preferences filled my day. I put it in the comic. Of course I got COVID, so I put it in the comic. I got a very small raise for my troubles, so I put it in the comic.
My "Big Idea" now is to simply write a book on retail. No matter what you are buying, the person you are giving money to is not being paid enough, but probably likes you anyway. Otherwise they would go lift boxes and earn more money."
#12
Colleen Rogers 4 years ago
There are things Boomers will understand that todays young will never get because they didn't live it. Humor is one of those.
William Alexander Bradley Putera 4 years ago
So true 😞🙏 comment section is definitely a scary killer to us all 😢😢😢
Neil Bidle 4 years ago
Yeah, trigger words like "Trump", "Covid", "Boomer" and more really do bring out the loopies!
#13
Erik Simmons 3 years ago
worked at Walmart for 9 years that was 25 years ago.....I still have dreams about working there when there is stress in my life
#14
#15
Don't Look 4 years ago
Walked into Target the other day - the self checkout was literally backed up about 20 people (the setup is so that even though they have 10 self checkouts, the only two girls running them have to disinfect every time so ... basically constantly backed up). As I was passing this line one of the workers had to shout out to the back of the line that there were 3 regular checkouts nearly empty. I went to one. I was out of the store in less than two minutes.
Kimberley Gayle Thomas 4 years ago
I hate my Self Checkout Lady Robot. She constantly calls for help I didn't request nor need, expects me to have 4 arms as I pack my tote bags, yet expects me to continue to scan, accuses me of stealing after I place my items after scanning. "Please continue scanning. If you're done scanning, please select your payment option." "I'm not done, I'm packing my items into my shopping cart because I don't have any more room to leave them here. Shut up Lady." I turn around to pick an item to scan "Help has been requested. Please wait." "What the f**k? Are you saying my butt is big?" "How many plastic bags did you use?" "I already told you I'm using my own. You're not going to charge me with lies." I hate her so much.
Neil Bidle 4 years ago
Idiots like this can't manage self-service checkouts, and anyone with half a brain is frustrated by the slow speed and constant nannying of them. The only benefit is zero human interaction (as long as checkout doesn't say no!)
#16
The Deez 4 years ago
This seems to be a common problem when people get promoted to management!!
Steffen Rehm 4 years ago
Sadly true And it gets worse, if they give you work tips and miss the basic stuff.
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#17
Kimberley Gayle Thomas 4 years ago
At least he doesn't have a toothbrush & towel I guess. Yet.
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#20
Bee / she/her 4 years ago
That depends. A lot of people told me they would rather work in an office because working from home erased the borders between home+rest and work. Plus, it gave them a reason to go outside, which could be good post-pandemic
#21
Jane Pool 4 years ago
It looks like the customer was kinda stupid to me. Anyone should know that the milk is in the milk aisle ,just like meat is in the meat cooler.
Philly Bob Squires 4 years ago (edited)
You'd think anyone would know this stuff. You seriously underestimate the thinking power of the public. LOL!
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#22
Don't Look 4 years ago
I can't tell if the songs and intros have gotten worse since "skip intro" or if I'm just becoming more impatient.
Tim Bouchee 4 years ago
"We all appreciate your sacrifice"...f**k, I gotta remember that line!
Donna Leske 4 years ago
This immediately reminded me of older movies, like 1980s + 1990s. On those older DVDs you were forced to run through every preview of other movies, Skip function disabled!!! "Operation not permitted" would appear onscreen. At least I can lord it over them with the mute button - and I do.
brukernavn340 4 years ago
But why can't the "skip intro" button be automatic like the "next episode" button?
#23
Bunny Flop 2 years ago
You can be an adult playing Nintendo every day, get yourself tastiest of the snacks delivered to you door any moment, buying any game and equipment you want, playing all your free time. Living in any country you prefer and chose your working hours. I absolutely prefer being an adult.
Thomas Turnbull 4 years ago
It will if you married a wife that loves consul games as much as you do.
#24
Philly Bob Squires 4 years ago
Then as you're taking off on Thursday, the moron changes your schedule and gives you off Friday without you knowing it (he waited until after you left to do it) then calls you a no call no show for Thursday and wonders why you're in on your day off on Friday.
#25
Mia Smith 4 years ago (edited)
Fear not, he means "catch you" in a slang sense, as in it's the only time he sees the worm :)
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#26
kjorn 4 years ago
i love working from home! wake up 1 hours later, got home as soon as i'm finish. i can do some chore during the days. i put gas in my car 2-3 time less than usuall... i don't see anything great to going back at the office
Shelley DuVal 4 years ago
and you only need to make your top half presentable!
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#27
Donna Leske 4 years ago
Doggo looks like he would love to help out - but the 'can't talk' part stops him every time.
#28
Stefan Scheiben 4 years ago
The whole concept of numbered "sick days" ist seriously f***ed up. Either you are sick or you are not. And if you are, you should not be working. While most of europe has grasped this concept a long time ago, the U.S. still struggles with such basic rights - which did not exactly help during a pandemic.
Don't Look 4 years ago
Let us consider that what originated from people abusing a system has now come full circle and is now completely misinterpreted and is only changed when the higher ups find it worthy to their own cause.
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The Old Wolf 7 months ago
Sick days eliminated. Make them take vacation days when they're sick. Call it a "time bank." I actually worked in a place that did this, and called it an "Improved benefit."
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#31
Jayne Kyra 4 years ago
I find it appalling that there are places where cashiers are not permitted to sit.
#32
AJ the panda. 4 years ago
Wow. I know he's an idiot but not showing up to work is a new low for him.
#33
Vicky Z 4 years ago
These rules exist because some workers ruin it for everybody! And they start drinking and eating in front of the customers! So they forbid even the water ffs
Laugh or not 4 years ago
How is that even legal? Dehydration is a serious threat to health.
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#35
Steffen Rehm 4 years ago
And sometimes there drunk and throw things at you. I don't like drunk people, always so fast aggressiv.
#37
Jaded Queen 4 years ago
Well u can always help out by not having children. There's r too many people & not enough to go around. But ur human. Asking u to make sensible choices is like wishing the sun wouldn't burn before his time
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#43
Jaded Queen 4 years ago
Because stupid people keep on having children. It's truly abhoring
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What do you think ?
Stephen Beals 4 years ago
I'm very honored to be on a site that I read regularly, although now I've shorted myself an article. I've already read these! Honestly, thanks so much.
Mia Smith 4 years ago
You, sir, are a treasure. Really, you're a treat to read, your humour is spot on and you keep it light without being frivolous. Keep it coming!
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Nadya Raymond 4 years ago
This one was very interesting an different from the rest...enjoyed it to the max
Stephen Beals 4 years ago
I'm very honored to be on a site that I read regularly, although now I've shorted myself an article. I've already read these! Honestly, thanks so much.
Mia Smith 4 years ago
You, sir, are a treasure. Really, you're a treat to read, your humour is spot on and you keep it light without being frivolous. Keep it coming!
Load More Replies... Nadya Raymond 4 years ago
This one was very interesting an different from the rest...enjoyed it to the max
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