Fear of clowns.

[IdahoPicker]

I don't get it. I've known a good cross-section of people who are absolutely terrified of them, one in particular who would literally shut down at the sight of one. I've never found clowns scary at all. If anything, just really annoying.

Can anybody here provide some insight into this fear?

[Blue Bear]

There was a pretty good episode of "Supernatural" that dealt with clown fear. I thought it was pretty funny.

[blues dues]

John Wayne Gacy, nuff said

[PeteMac]

Mmmm . . . yeah . . . .


grown men, completely disguised and around young children . . . just creepy !

[Westerly Sunn]

Theory: Clowns represent aspects of ourselves that we prefer not to face.

Modern day comedians often reflect to us not only our own foibles but the absurdities of day to day life.

Going way back to Jesters; we have individuals who took on the dangerous but hopefully protected role of portraying not only the same absurdities that our modern day comedian would portray but also; specifically those of the King himself. He thus provided a much needed mirror that the regent could use to gain perspective on his own actions.

He could and did portray the dark and taboo side of human nature that everyone knows but keeps in shadow. In that role he is somewhat of a relief valve and opportunity for healing but as such reveals and comes to symbolize things that we would rather not think about.

That's my story, anyway... ----> <----

[cband7]

Likely goes back to being scared by one as a child.



Thank god I don't have that problem as a good cross section of my co-workers over the years qualified for the title....




.

[Davo17]

Originally Posted by IdahoPicker

I don't get it. I've known a good cross-section of people who are absolutely terrified of them, one in particular who would literally shut down at the sight of one. I've never found clowns scary at all. If anything, just really annoying.

Can anybody here provide some insight into this fear?

Its generally irrational, and goes back to childhood. I have a friend who freaks out at the sight of midgets also.

[robt57]

I am just afraid of their shoes, afraid of meeting folks ever day that fit into them.. Metaphorically Speaking, as Jim Cary would say...

[vjf1968]

You should Netflix "Shakes The Clown"

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by blues dues

John Wayne Gacy, nuff said

+1

The risk/reward balance definitely went past hope at that point.


There was a gentleness of spirit that the old timers like Emmet Kelly, Sr. and Red Skelton could deliver. But after that it went all wrong, in Western culture.


Maybe we shouldn't blame Gacy; some people don't even know of him.

Maybe we should blame Willard Scott.

[goldtopper]

Venetian clowns are the scariest to me. They look like buckethead.

[tfsails]

My crazy next-door neighbor was a clown. She no longer does it, but she's certifiably crazy in my book. 'Nuff said!

[sacizob]

I think its the painted fake smile that scares people.

[Velorex]

There was a time before Stephen King and the Simpsons when our Daddys took us to cirkus on sunday. There where only lions to be afraid of and clows to laugh about or even not but never be afraid. For me it is an american thing which came up with Crusty and Pennywise and now the kids all over the world including my wife are afraid of clowns.I think it's sick.

velorex

[Jakedog]

Never liked them. I'm not "afraid" of them to the point where I'l scream, or can't function, but they certainly put me on edge. I never liked them when I was a kid, and I don't like them now. When one is in the room, my guard goes to full up, and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. They are flat out creepy to the tenth power.

One exception- When I was a kid, PRCA rodeo came to my home town every year for most of a week. Other towns had srping break, we had Rodeo Week. I used to work concessions at the coliseum for tons of events, but rodeo week was my favorite. Back in those days, Quayle Dobbs was still the best in the rodeo clown business. He was also a really nice man. I got to sit and talk with him on several occasions, and every time he bought a coke from me, he'd buy one for me too. Just a super guy, and even in makeup, never creeped me out or set off any alarms. He's the only clown I've ever seen that I can say that about.

[telleutelleme]

I never could figure how so many of them could come out of those little cars. We probably shouldn't judge until we've walked a mile in their shoes. For me Mimes are much scarier, trying to get out of those invisible boxes.

[dman]

Clowns I can deal with. Mimes, however, while not scaring me, irritate the crap out of me. They make me want to punch their stupid white-painted faces and tell them "There...now go imitate a guy in pain."

[jimbach]

[sixstringbastard]

[Mechanic]

Never had a fear of clowns. If anything I had an appreciation (sp?) for them through Red Skelton who was always a gentelman on and off stage. He painted clowns as a hobby and was granted his trademark face by the clown guild. It is an art that is some times misunderstood like all art. Remember your parents telling you to turn that racket down?