NationStates Jolt Archive

A recent study has found that children find clowns scary and so have them visit children's wards in hospitals, and decorating the wards with pictures of clowns, was stressfull othe children.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2684365.html?menu=

Is this fear of clowns as common as this study appears to make out?

Saw that also (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23060956-13762,00.html), lol, but the pediatrics ward at the hospital I study in doesn't have clowns on its wall. I thought of walking in as a clown to appease recalcitrant patients, but, now I won't, doesn't seem like a good idea...

The clowns for children are scary but jesters and those who fit in the classic sense of the role aren't as scary.

I seem to recall that we've had a thread on the topic already way back when, and I'll repeat myself: Yes, I'm one of those who think clowns are truly scary.. and I also remember I was far from the only one at the time.

I wonder what LG would think of this thread...

You know, I've never found clowns particularly scary. Some people are legitimately terrified of them such as my Step mother, but I dunno. Out of curiosity what about clowns frightens you all? I've never understood it (not trying to be insulting, simply curious. I'm taking psychology right now and we've actually been discussing this very subject)

I wonder what LG would think of this thread...
Hehe, I was just gonna say "Wait till LG sees this..." :D

Clowns are dudes in makeup. As a 6-4 270 lb male i dont make it a habit to be afraid of non makeup wearing males, so ones wearing rouge dont exactly give me reason to quake.

Clowns are dudes in makeup. As a 6-4 270 lb male i dont make it a habit to be afraid of non makeup wearing males, so ones wearing rouge dont exactly give me reason to quake.

LOL QFT!

http://www.flannelchef.com/UserFiles/Image/SimpsonsReferences/Bedclown.jpg

Can't sleep, clown will eat me.

The technical term is 'Coulrophobia'.

It depends on the type of clown and yes children really are very scared of clowns, almost universally until they are about 8 and some kids still carry the fear after that especially if they are shy children, have had a bad experience, have parents who are afraid of clowns or have been exposed too young to psychotic clown movies.

As far as what I was talking about with the type of clown, a loud boisterous clown is really scary to a small child, so are ones with high voices. Clowns who wear a grotesque form of make up (white face, exaggerated eyes and mouth) can also be frightening. I tend to tone down my clown make-up when I am dealing with children for this reason.

It depends on the type of clown and yes children really are very scared of clowns, almost universally until they are about 8 and some kids still carry the fear after that especially if they are shy children, have had a bad experience, have parents who are afraid of clowns or have been exposed too young to psychotic clown movies.

As far as what I was talking about with the type of clown, a loud boisterous clown is really scary to a small child, so are ones with high voices. Clowns who wear a grotesque form of make up (white face, exaggerated eyes and mouth) can also be frightening. I tend to tone down my clown make-up when I am dealing with children for this reason.


.......self check......nope still not afraid of Smunkeeville

.......self check......nope still not afraid of Smunkeeville

I try not to frighten people. I once was hired for a birthday party, showed the kid the pictures of me dressed up beforehand to make sure he wasn't scared, everything seemed fine, went, he freaked out! Crying, shaking, hiding behind his father (who apparently was afraid of clowns and his wife didn't know), so I asked the kid "do you want me to go change into my real person stuff and come back? and he said "yes!" so I did.

His mom almost didn't pay me. "I hired a clown!"

yeah, for people terrified of them! idiot.

I still did the balloons and face painting......

The FATHER? How is an adult male afraid of clowns? WTF? Guys in my old neighborhood who wore makeup got beaten ;)

I try not to frighten people. I once was hired for a birthday party, showed the kid the pictures of me dressed up beforehand to make sure he wasn't scared, everything seemed fine, went, he freaked out! Crying, shaking, hiding behind his father (who apparently was afraid of clowns and his wife didn't know), so I asked the kid "do you want me to go change into my real person stuff and come back? and he said "yes!" so I did.

His mom almost didn't pay me. "I hired a clown!"

yeah, for people terrified of them! idiot.

I still did the balloons and face painting......
Can you do balloon animals?
*blows balloon into no particular shape*
It's a dog, DEAL WITH IT!

The FATHER? How is an adult male afraid of clowns? WTF? Guys in my old neighborhood who wore makeup got beaten ;)

what part of phobia don't you get?

my husband is afraid of spiders, the big 6'2" guy afraid of a little spider. it's irrational.

Can you do balloon animals?
*blows balloon into no particular shape*
It's a dog, DEAL WITH IT!

:p

my 4 year old tries to help, she makes snakes, worms, and sticks. ;)

It depends on the type of clown and yes children really are very scared of clowns, almost universally until they are about 8 and some kids still carry the fear after that especially if they are shy children, have had a bad experience, have parents who are afraid of clowns or have been exposed too young to psychotic clown movies.

As far as what I was talking about with the type of clown, a loud boisterous clown is really scary to a small child, so are ones with high voices. Clowns who wear a grotesque form of make up (white face, exaggerated eyes and mouth) can also be frightening. I tend to tone down my clown make-up when I am dealing with children for this reason.

Exactly. Outfit and make up makes a big difference in how children perceive a clown.

The FATHER? How is an adult male afraid of clowns? WTF? Guys in my old neighborhood who wore makeup got beaten ;)

"There is nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight." -Lon Chaney Sr.

:)

I try not to frighten people. I once was hired for a birthday party, showed the kid the pictures of me dressed up beforehand to make sure he wasn't scared, everything seemed fine, went, he freaked out! Crying, shaking, hiding behind his father (who apparently was afraid of clowns and his wife didn't know), so I asked the kid "do you want me to go change into my real person stuff and come back? and he said "yes!" so I did.

His mom almost didn't pay me. "I hired a clown!"

yeah, for people terrified of them! idiot.

I still did the balloons and face painting......

Dorks. :p

I have a clown-lite getup and routine for such situations. Not much more than a colorful suit and a silly hat. *nod*

Dorks. :p

I have a clown-lite getup and routine for such situations. Not much more than a colorful suit and a silly hat. *nod*

clown-lite includes a more mainstream wig, a nose and a brightly colored apron.

think......Loonette.

I think the problem is that clowning is traditionally adult entertainment, like court jesters and the like. It was never meant to be something children found fun. Its only for some reason in the past century or so we've decided clowns are for children.

I blame all of this on It.

clown-lite includes a more mainstream wig, a nose and a brightly colored apron.

think......Loonette.

It's always best to be prepared. Sometimes the magic and juggling aren't well received or the face painting gets done early and I have to resort to... *grits teeth* balloon animals.

I'm giving the unicycle a second chance this year. I tried once before a couple years ago and couldn't quite get the knack.

It's always best to be prepared. Sometimes the magic and juggling aren't well received or the face painting gets done early and I have to resort to... *grits teeth* balloon animals.

I'm giving the unicycle a second chance this year. I tried once before a couple years ago and couldn't quite get the knack.

it helps if you not only try to balance side to side but front to back, I figured out that shifting my weight to the back a bit helps. *nod*

my magic sucks. slight of hand is not my gig, I can basically do like some paper tearing tricks and a few handkerchief things that bring laughs, but mostly, I really depend on having a white face to keep me supplied with moments of misunderstanding hilarity. Luckily I have an assistant now. (who looks like my boss of course ;))

What, this guy?

http://www.psychodelica.com/img/other/Pennywise01.jpg

*goes into terror shock*
*falls on ground screaming*
*is impressed with voice and motion activated emoting software*

I blame all of this on It.

What, this guy?

http://www.psychodelica.com/img/other/Pennywise01.jpg

it helps if you not only try to balance side to side but front to back, I figured out that shifting my weight to the back a bit helps. *nod*

Hang on, are you telling me that you can ride a unicycle, but not a bicycle?


Or was that someone else I remember telling me they couldn't ride a bicycle.........:confused:

Hang on, are you telling me that you can ride a unicycle, but not a bicycle?


Or was that someone else I remember telling me they couldn't ride a bicycle.........:confused:

It's true I can't ride a bicycle, although I haven't actually tried since I learned to ride the unicycle, so I am just assuming that I still can't.

I have no use for a bicycle, they aren't funny or silly or anything.

It's true I can't ride a bicycle, although I haven't actually tried since I learned to ride the unicycle, so I am just assuming that I still can't.

I have no use for a bicycle, they aren't funny or silly or anything.

Then clearly you have never ridden a bicycle into a mudpit. :p

Then clearly you have never ridden a bicycle into a mudpit. :p

Not talking about the noble sport of Bog Snorkelling (http://www.wherewhenwales.com/wales-bog-snorkelling-art.html), are you? ;)

but hospitals are full of clowns anyway :confused:

It's true I can't ride a bicycle.

hooray I'm not alone :p

It's true I can't ride a bicycle, although I haven't actually tried since I learned to ride the unicycle, so I am just assuming that I still can't.

I have no use for a bicycle, they aren't funny or silly or anything.

They're a cheap mode of transport and exercise. And you never forget how to ride them, so they must have magical properties or something.

They're a cheap mode of transport and exercise. And you never forget how to ride them, so they must have magical properties or something.

my children and husband are bike riders, we go to the park for them to do that, I just read thankyouverymuch.

Not talking about the noble sport of Bog Snorkelling (http://www.wherewhenwales.com/wales-bog-snorkelling-art.html), are you? ;)

Sounds fun, but I was talking about something more akin to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07szNLzId8I

:)

but hospitals are full of clowns anyway :confused:

The bedridden can't escape as easily. :)

I blame all of this on It.

But I like floating !

But I like floating !

we all float down here.

What, this guy?

*snipped to avoid further discomfort*

That picture gives me daymares. :(

Great to see how the votes are turning out. LOL

So far, there are 24 people scared of clowns, about 2 not scared of them and 14 who say they're lunatic Goofballs.
So it seems that Lunatic Goofballs is more than one person, or 14 people think they're Lunatic Goofballs.:p
i sense this poll has a few flaws.
By the way did anyone else read the title as "clowns are bad for your teeth"?
And i'm one of the i'm not scared of clowns