Why are clowns often considered as being scary?

[tim]

You know, I should have turned to one of the GUYS in that group and insisted that HE help me make the correct selection.

[Calavera]

Originally Posted by tim

I'm frustrated by it. For one weak or flawed human being who has his sins exposed reflects badly upon us all. Too often, these "clowns" are not really even legitimate, respectable entertainers (such as in the case of Gacey, who was more of a fetishish taken up with a fascination of clowns rather than an honest clown himself.) A man like he was just plain sick. If someone is abusing the persona of a clown in order to accomplish an evil act, it absolutely disgusts me. Then there are those who are simply weak and fail to rise to the highest standards which someone entrusted as a children's entertainer is often, understandably, held to. (Take Pee Wee Herman, for example.) In this case, I just feel sorry for the poor person who is simply a fallen human being like the rest of us that had some particular peccadillo which came to light. As the saying goes, "There but for the grace of God go I."

I like the way you think, tim. In relation to your comment about who is "abusing the persona of a clown in order to accomplish an evil act" I think that goes with about anything.
People who are supposed to embody trust/authority should never abuse their power/talents, especially on children.

On the case of Pee Wee Herman, I can hardly blame him. He was at a sexy movie and whipped it out, BFD. The only difference is that a) he got caught and b) he had a stigma of sorts attached to him.
It amazes me that people were up in arms about it, like he was just Pee Wee and not Paul Reubens. It's not as if he hurt anyone. He didn't murder a guy, he didn't touch a child. He's a human and he'll make mistakes, get over it.

I think I would, first, listen to them and try to understand as well as sympathize with whatever legitimately bothers them. Perhaps if they came to respect me as a person (out of slap and motley, first), they would be open to anything I might have to offer by way of insight to build trust and help them overcome it. More so, I'd be worried about betraying that trust and failing them.

Hey, you read about my brother in an earlier post, right? I'd like to ask you to do me a slight favor.
He's currently 11 years old and is still frightened by clowns. He gets picked on it a lot in school about it and he is highly embarrassed by his problem. Not to mention the fact that in about a month, he and his mother, step-father and step-siblings will be going to the Ringling Brothers circus. Here's the thing about the circus...he has never been to one and even passed up an opportunity to go because of his fear. His step-father (that jerk, I hate him) does not understand his fear and is making him go. He thinks that this will "cure" his fear.
Did I mention how much I hate his step-father?
I want to help him be less afraid so he'll feel better about himself.

If you could private message me your message to him about his fear and why he shouldn't be afraid of you, and a picture of yourself out of makeup so I could show him when he comes back over to my place this weekend, that would help a lot.

On the topic of my brother, if you were the clown at the spring festival, how would you have handled that situation of a frightened child?

[Willace-the-Clown]

How forward are you about TOUCHING a person- on the arm, shoulder, etc.?

I'll shake hands i only ever hug if they hug me most of the time when i dont exspect it.

How often do you bring a partner, assistant, fellow clown, video camera, etc- just to avoid being alone during a performance- both for personal safety and protection against false accusations?

I always bring my mom her as well being a clown & we always film not for protection but we offer a free service of makeing a video & takeing pics for the family toremember the joy their child had

[Willace-the-Clown]

Originally Posted by Calavera

On the topic of my brother, if you were the clown at the spring festival, how would you have handled that situation of a frightened child?

I would have stayed away from him i wouldn't have even talked to him i usely do that if the child even seems to shy to talk to me & wait till they come up to me. when i did a halloween party as Spooky a mother came up to me with her lil daughter cuz the lil girl wanted a balloon. The girl didn't seem Scared of me or anything so i was serprised when the mother said " she is afrade of clowns cuz a clown squirted her with water but she wanted a balloon. I told the mom " still in Spookys voice that the clown must have been new & didn't know the clown rules & that we dont come up to children afrade of us. Not that i want them to be scared but why arnt children ever scared of me when i'm in full clown even thow they are scared of clowns. Plus Calavera i willsend you a PM on here & a Photo ASAP.

[tim]

Originally Posted by Calavera

If you could private message me your message to him about his fear and why he shouldn't be afraid of you, and a picture of yourself out of makeup so I could show him when he comes back over to my place this weekend, that would help a lot.

Sure thing.

On the topic of my brother, if you were the clown at the spring festival, how would you have handled that situation of a frightened child?

I forget (if you mentioned), how old was he at the time?

Generally, when I encounter a child who seems fearful or reserved I do one of two things:

A) Get down to the child's level (literally on the floor, if necessary), soften my voice as much as possible, and invite them to play somehow (by offering a juggling ball, scarf, feather... complimenting them on something they are wearing, perhaps.) Basically, I'm trying to break down the barrier by placing myself in a situation where they can feel more comfortable and either choose to reach out and accept the invitation to play on their own or not. Sometimes (most frequently, actually, I find) this works to win them over.

B) Back off and get out of there. If it is clear at any point that the child is not ready to play, is overly fearful, hides behind a parent, or even cries I lower my voice and say something like, "That's alright. You don't have to talk to me if you don't want," while backing away and discretely removing myself from the direct situation. Again, I'm trying to soften the approach and not push so that any fear which may exist can be removed and the child feels somehow empowered over the situation.

[Calavera]

Thanks to both Tim and Willace, you guys are a big help.

[Willace-the-Clown]

you are welcome

[Scruffy]

well, For starters, let the kid make the first move. If they want to get close to you. Then let them do it at their ow pace. Also, If they are having an obvious fit, Reaction, Don't look at them. In fact, pretend that you can't see them.. Calavera, Two of my cousins were afraid of clowns. One of them absolutely terrified. I did an event that I knew they were going to be at. Before it happened I took my clown costume, makeup shoes, nose... EVERYTHING- over to her house and set it on the floor. She asked what it was and I told her they were some funny clothes that I wanted her to see. I opened it, And showed her my coat, and my big baggy pants, and my shoes. And then asked her if she was afraid of clowns. She said yes ,I then asked if she was afraid of me and she said no. I then explained that when I put this on I became a clown. (I did this while showing her my makeup and nose.) But When I was wearing this, I was still "Me" on the inside.
She was fine with it. I even put a little makeup on her face (a white clown mouth.) and a clip on nose and showed her a mirror that she was now a clown.
Moral of the story, every case is different. But She has been fine every since.

[Willace-the-Clown]

that was cool scruffy i have a cuz that is scared of clowns but she is out of state & i dont like her

[Fitzwilly]

How did I miss this thread the first time around? And here Cal pulled it out of the dust bin and breathed a bit of life back into it. Thanks Cal. It is too late to play catch up tonight but I will see what I can add tomorrow.