(Strip Number 4817, Original Publication Date, 17 June 1987)
Panel 1: Since Lynn insists on not understanding why Alan was cool to the idea of her talking about his private life, we find ourselves watching Phil tell John that since he and Elly seem to be doing okay, marriage itself might not be so scary.
Panel 2: John starts off pretty good by telling Phil that a marriage is about openness, honesty and understanding and that one has to be sensitive to the other person's whims, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies. (It should be noted here that he honours this more in the breach than in the observance.)
Panel 3: He proves my point about him not living up to the standards he sets others when he devolves back into John Patterson by likening marriage to driving an old car. As he walks in the house, Elly calls for him.
Panel 4: Since she has no real idea that John thinks that comparing her to an unglamorous but reliable vehicle is a warm and valued compliment, it's funny that she's gobsmacked when he asks if she's honked for him.
Summary: The Pattersons are great at giving advice but not so great at actually following it. This is because they are all Lynn. Also, John and Phil are both massive diameter dickholes to think that comparing a woman to an object is a great thing.