Wednesday's Question of the Day: clowns

swampwitch

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It seems most people I've ever talked to about clowns think they are creepy to some extent; less people were neutral or liked them.

How do you feel about clowns - have you had any experiences with them? Do you avoid them altogether or are some of your best friends clowns?

Hands down I'm on the clowns-are-creepy and stay away from them vote. I've never liked them, I think because they are so difficult to read, with the painted on smile or frown... and way bigger than life but not in a good way. I will run away from a clown.

My mother is a terrible gift-giver and once gave me a statue of Emmett Kelly Jr. called, "Man's Best Friend?" I think clowns were supposed to be funny in her era, but I just can't see why, then or now. He looks like a homeless guy really down on his luck, in tattered clothing, it's more sad than anything but the creepy factor is still there.
 
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starryeyedtiger

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I am terrified of them! :dash: They are creepy, evil, vile, and never to be trusted! :nono: Given the chance, I'm pretty sure that I would violently attack one if cornered....not even kidding! :wife: :bat: :smshfrk:
 
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Winchester

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I am terrified of them!
They are creepy, evil, vile, and never to be trusted!
Given the chance, I'm pretty sure that I would violently attack one if cornered....not even kidding!
That pretty much sums it up right there. They are hideous. There is no way I would ever allow a clown in the house. 
 

andrya

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Hmm, it's like the black cat thing. Back home they were just black cats, or even considered lucky by some. Here they're regarded completely differently.

Same with clowns. l always thought they were hilarious and loved them. Everybody loved clowns, they were the stars of any show. l was shocked when l came here and people thought they were creepy somehow.

l have no problem with clowns.
 

larussa

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I have collected clowns for many years.  I had to stop since I just had nowhere to put them.  I now just display the clown cats I have, they are very cute.  I met Emmett Kelly Jr. back in the 80's when he was at a specialty store.  I bought a clown there called "In the Spotlight: which he signed for me. 

I think nowadays with the help of some of the writers of books and movies, clowns have become scary and creepy.  In a circus they are funny and the kids just love them.  I've never been afraid of clowns, always thought them as the funny people they are.
 

mani

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I think clowns in context (in animal-free circuses, like Cirque du Soleil or Circus Oz) are great.  But those ones aren't dressed so traditionally.

I'm not a fan of the  traditional ones with their big shoes, red nose, awful face make up and chintzy wigs. There's a feeling that all that costume is hiding either great sadness or something more insidious!
 

cassiopea

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Never had a problem with them, never even thought that they were creepy 

 

Then again, I never went to "old style traditional" circuses (My parents were opposed using live animals in those performances) so I mainly saw clowns via Cirque de Soleil. And they were always great!
Nor did I ever had a clown or saw clowns at birthday parties and such.

I always did like Rodeo clowns. I mean, not only are they can be amusing, but they often risked their life to protect another. Growing up in a horsey family and on a farm and all.

Back when I was in the hospital (Most of my childhood was in the hospital - had four major operations on my kidneys. Long story!) the one time I did have a visit from a "traditional" clown, he was nice and funny with me, which is always pleasant since I was in regular discomfort, stuck in a bed for months and attached to five cathaters and one IV.
 

So I guess, depending on the clown itself, I like them or just find them completely neutral. Most real life clowns just want to create a smile and take time and effort out of their days to create that, so it is hard for me to want to think they are awful. I'd never want to be mean to a clown.
 
 

MoochNNoodles

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I'm not particularly fond of them and some are creepy looking; but others aren't so bad.  It depends on the clown I guess!  I can't remember which birthday; but one from my toddler years, my parent's had done with a clown.  It had a little figure of one on top holding some balloons.  It was a happy clown in a dancing pose.  I remember the balloons more though. lol
 
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swampwitch

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I have collected clowns for many years.  I had to stop since I just had nowhere to put them.  I now just display the clown cats I have, they are very cute.  I met Emmett Kelly Jr. back in the 80's when he was at a specialty store.  I bought a clown there called "In the Spotlight: which he signed for me. 

I think nowadays with the help of some of the writers of books and movies, clowns have become scary and creepy.  In a circus they are funny and the kids just love them.  I've never been afraid of clowns, always thought them as the funny people they are.
I looked it up, and your statue is nice (signed is very cool), and as far as clowns go, he's definitely not the scariest. It's just odd that my mother knows me so little (or cares so little) that she gives me this good-sized figurine (even taller on the stand) of something that makes me anxious, and the dog, nothing against dogs but hello! cat person here, mom. And why is the dog attacking the homeless guy on mine what's that all about?

Never been to a circus of any kind as a kid, parents didn't care to take me anywhere... As an adult no way, 'cause clowns.
 
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dejolane

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I like clowns in books,movies ,pictures and I have seen them at the circus They are ok I guess as long as they don't  mess with me .
 

mservant

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I don't mind them, I think they're OK in a circus but would prefer acrobats or something. Don't find them creepy but do think all the makeup hides any real emotion so can see why a lot of people find them creepy.  
 

sugarsandz

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I was terrified of them as a kid and I still think they are kind of creepy. I was also afraid of santa, the easter bunny, the tooth fairy and the prospect of guardian angels. . . I was just an easily freaked out child lol
 

larussa

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I looked it up, and your statue is nice (signed is very cool), and as far as clowns go, he's definitely not the scariest. It's just odd that my mother knows me so little (or cares so little) that she gives me this good-sized figurine (even taller on the stand) of something that makes me anxious, and the dog, nothing against dogs but hello! cat person here, mom. And why is the dog attacking the homeless guy on mine what's that all about?

Never been to a circus of any kind as a kid, parents didn't care to take me anywhere... As an adult no way, 'cause clowns.
You are too young to remember this but Emmett Kelly Sr. would be on variety shows.  He would stand there with his broom in a large spotlight.  As he swept the spotlight it would get smaller and smaller until is was gone.  That was one of his famous acts.  When I saw that figurine in the store, I just had to have it and with EK Jr.'s signature written on the bottom of it, it means even more to me.
 

AbbysMom

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I am neutral on them but have friends that can't stand them.
 

ravencorbie

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I guess I'm neutral. It's funny because I read IT last year in the spring, and it made me really afraid of floating, but not of clowns. Go figure.
 

andrya

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We ALL float down here!

Awesome book. Pennywise is the one exception to non-creepy clowns.
 
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