Pet peeves

Nettie Belle · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 10:27 PM

Does it irritate you guys as much as it irritates me ... how people think that being a clown is just putting on clown clothes and a red nose? I was talking to a friend of mine and she found out how much I charge per hour, and her response was ... "wow ... I should get a clown costume and start doing parties ... I could do that." I said, "well go ahead." But then when I told her all that is involved in clowning, she was surprised. She even admitted to me that she had no idea what all was involved. I told her that putting on a clown costume, a red nose and big shoes no more makes you a clown than putting on a nurse's uniform makes you a nurse.

There's also the pet peeve of people who want freebies and end up by saying that they will get the neighborhood Joe Shmoe to clown at their party for free.

Right now, I'm dealing with someone who is trying to get out of paying for 1-1/2 hours (x 2 clowns). She says their party was only 1-1/2 hours and they already paid for 1 hour (x 2 clowns). I returned her call and we are now in the middle of phone tag. I hope next year, she gets Joe Shmoe to do HER party for free.

Just me venting a little bit. Sorry.

Jolly Well · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 10:34 PM

Both of those are irritating.

I was fortunate enough to get behind a guy this weekend (I was stiltwalking and trying not to block views) who was the expert on everything. He appeared to be drunk, but still irritating to hear him give me advice on stiltwalking, and raising children when Chas and Ishmael showed up, as well as yelling towards the magician on stage and letting everyone near him how he knew how the trick was done.

I've been in payment disputes as well, though thankfully none recently - sounds like you're having one heck of a week Nettie!

Pickles · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 10:36 PM

This sounds all too familiar. I had a friend who said the exact same thing. She was working at the elementary school playground for minimum wage and couldn't believe how much a clown made per hour. Well, she doesn't realize that the clown is putting in much more time than the hour at the birthday party (not to mention the investment the clown has made in costumes, make-up, balloons, props, magic, etc.).

I had some people we had just met at church approach me recently and were all excited about a grand opening event they wanted me to volunteer at. They were going to have all of their friends there dressed up as clowns, and I guess they thought I would fit right in. Luckily I had a conflict.

Pickles · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 10:37 PM

Another pet peeve is when people assume I'm going to dress up like a clown for Halloween. I tell them "I'm not that kind of clown."

pixcoco · #5 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 10:40 PM

These are most likely the same people who watch passively as their children spend the entire party with their hand in you magic box and your balloon bag. That is when they are not fingerpainting with your face paints and grabbing the brushes off the table. All while keep up a verbal banter of each and every thing they want for themselves next and snatching the balloon from the birthday girl as if she is the only one who should recive any attention.

I guess I should give the mom the benifit of the doubt. She could really be deaf and blind while speaking perfectly to family and navagation the back yard without assistance.

Maybe wolves would do better.