Pet peeves

[tim]

And, yes, it bothers me. The stupid questions and lack of respect has gotten me to the point that I often don't directly refer to clowning initially, but instead say "children's/family entertainment", instead, just to try to avert the situation. But, yeah, people just think that you are some sort of stupid, silly freak if you clown. Or someone who is simply trying to be a "nice person."

That said, perhaps part of the problem is ourselves and an inability to effectively communicate what we are about in order to inculcate respect. Even the likes of Jerry Lewis and Lucille Ball were taken for dopes at first. But they proved themselves otherwise and forced people to take them seriously.

[Sassy Frass]

Just had a pary like that last weekend where the mothers were oblivious to the children wanting to stick little sticky fingers in my paint pots, pop Funny Bonz' balloon creations as soon as he handed them to him and the worse was when the teen girl thought it was okay to start going through my cart like the things belonged to her!
Whew was I glad to get outta there!!!

[Pickles]

I've actually had kids DUMP the contents of my balloon bag while the parents stand around and did nothing.

[Sassy Frass]

This teen girl that I mentioned above...She was rummaging! I was trying to politely stop her (short of removing her hand and telling her to stop) AND she still did not stop...WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO!!!

[pixcoco]

I stop everything I am doing and speak diretly to the child. I softly hold her hand and say "don't reach into the box please...thank you." I move her hand and when it comes back in 1.5 seconds I do the same thing. After a few tries I close the box or bag and wait for her to step back. I don't want things to become a frenzied battle. The kids want the balloons or magic tricks so they normally will stop for at least a minute or two. You would think a parent would take control of their child when they interfer so much.

It is an exercise in patience. A prayer they never call again. And vent to your fellow clowns.

[Duckie]

Originally Posted by tim

And, yes, it bothers me. The stupid questions and lack of respect has gotten me to the point that I often don't directly refer to clowning initially, but instead say "children's/family entertainment", instead, just to try to avert the situation. But, yeah, people just think that you are some sort of stupid, silly freak if you clown. Or someone who is simply trying to be a "nice person."

That said, perhaps part of the problem is ourselves and an inability to effectively communicate what we are about in order to inculcate respect. Even the likes of Jerry Lewis and Lucille Ball were taken for dopes at first. But they proved themselves otherwise and forced people to take them seriously.

O.K. I agree with you 100% , but could you say all that in little words?

[Duckie]

I don't know about you guys, but if the parents don't step in and control their kids, I will stop everything and either ask the parent to help me so that I can continue to entertain the others, or if the parents are not to be found, I tell "everyone" that I will wait until little "whoever he is" stops. Usually all the other kids will start telling the naughty one to stop because they want their turn! That usually works better coming from his peers rather than the "clown" that he doesn't have to take seriously.

Most times I just have a little conversation with the parents when they are booking me to the effect that the kids are going to get wound up when I arrive, that's just what happens! I also ask that there is one adult who can help with kid control so that I can do the best job I can, because after all, they are paying me for a great job.

I want to entertain the kiddies, NOT babysit them, so that mom & dad and auntie & uncle can go off and party!!!!!! (Course I don't tell mom and dad this last bit!!! LOL)

[pixcoco]

It is actualy rare parties like this come up. But when they do...the childrens behavior can be understood by the actions of the parents. And for people like that...that is why I don't want a call back from them.

I feel sorry for the kids. They have no boundries and will have a hard time socializing at school. This thought keeps me from being frustrated with the kids. It reminds me to be patient. I make sure to make good eye contact with them when I speak to them. I suspect few people really speak to them, they speak AT them.

Like I said, wolves could do better.

[tim]

Originally Posted by Duckie

O.K. I agree with you 100% , but could you say all that in little words?

"All that in little words."

[Duckie]

Originally Posted by tim

"All that in little words."

O.K. shoulda known that was comin'!!!!!!