Coulrophobia - ATTN: Circus Circus

[Rev. Powell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2nK_qmvJ7A
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[Psycho Circus]

HAHA!  Oh Rev. Powell thankyou! 

To be honest I do think clown are scary, but I have never suffered from this particular phobia. I've heard it stems from early childhood, seeing an image of a clown's face with the paint and exaggerated features is difficult for a child to take in and process. I remember going to the circus years ago as a kid and a clown picked me out of the audience and took me into the ring. I think I was about 5 or 6 and my parents just let him take me even though I didn't want to go. He proceeded to put a large hat over my head, so it was dark, but I could still sorta see all the people that were there and then tried to spin some coloured ball on my finger. I screamed the place down, I hated it. Because of the people, not because of the clown, I can't even remember the clown properly. I think that experience deeply affected me in the sense of being afraid of large crowds and social situations for many, many years.

I really have a profound interest in coulrophobia sufferers though and as everyone knows on this board, clown imagery. I love the fact people find them really frightening. I did dress up one time and scared a old friend of mine. I went round to his house and just knocked on the door, when he answered and saw me, he actually wet himself. His parents were very angry and he honestly, never spoke to me again. Which I thought was hilarious!

[Raffine]

Clowns? No problem!

Pickles?!? Lemme outta here!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUk_3eKL9Xk
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[Mr. DS]

My thing with clowns is the ones that are evil and don't hide it I love to look at.  Its the innocent ones that freak me out along with carnival folk.  They're just...creepy.  I recall I used to have this ghastly looking 'friendly' clown in my room as a kid.  I swear some nights the thing was moving.  Then theres this pic of me with clowns at a Halloween party. 



I was frightened or at least should have been.

[AndyC]

A few years ago, I had to interview a local party clown who picked up an award at some major clown convention. I don't like clowns myself. I actually get uneasy around any costumed entertainers - clowns, mascots, theme park characters, etc. Not really a fear, just discomfort. Probably goes back to being spooked by these inhuman monsters as a kid, but it's also just a matter of not being able to see the person inside. That and being a quiet person who can't stand insensitive extroverts getting in my face. Typically, that's the sort you find in costumes, not to mention dinner theatre and renaissance fairs. Did I mention I hate interacting with people who are "in character?" Part and parcel of the same thing, I suppose.

Anyway, this clown interview was no big deal. She's a professional, I'm a professional, and she's coming to my office - a nice, professional setting. Naturally, she shows up in full clown regalia, and stays in character for the interview. I'm shut in a small office with this weirdo, just doing my job and trying not to think too much about it. It did allow me to get an interesting photo, so it wasn't all bad.

And she insisted on stopping the business of the office for a brief show. What was great was that she asked one of the designers to say some magic words - "My name is Jen and I love clowns." Jen responds with "My name is Jen and I HATE clowns!" Funniest part of the show, and gave me a warm feeling I last experienced as a kid, listening to my best friend's account of punching the mascot in the gut at African Lion Safari.

[Rev. Powell]

I remember going to the circus years ago as a kid and a clown picked me out of the audience and took me into the ring. I think I was about 5 or 6 and my parents just let him take me even though I didn't want to go. He proceeded to put a large hat over my head, so it was dark, but I could still sorta see all the people that were there and then tried to spin some coloured ball on my finger. I screamed the place down, I hated it.

Now this explains A LOT! 

[Mr. DS]

Anyway, this clown interview was no big deal. She's a professional, I'm a professional, and she's coming to my office - a nice, professional setting. Naturally, she shows up in full clown regalia, and stays in character for the interview. I'm shut in a small office with this weirdo, just doing my job and trying not to think too much about it. It did allow me to get an interesting photo, so it wasn't all bad.

LMAO