Comments on: 3 Things You Can Do to Create a Fear of Clowns http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/ Where Clowns, Magicians, and other Family Entertainers Learn Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:16:27 -0700 hourly 1 By: Tumbleina the Clown! http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-321 Tumbleina the Clown! Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:16:27 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-321 PS. I think the commercial is hilarious! Makes me laugh every time I see it! LOL! Sorry! PS. I think the commercial is hilarious! Makes me laugh every time I see it! LOL! Sorry!

]]> By: Tumbleina the Clown! http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-320 Tumbleina the Clown! Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:06:55 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-320 This might sound strange but even though I AM a clown myself and absolutely LOVE entertaining people (especially the littlest ones), I am often "creeped out" by other clowns and will avoid them if they seem scary or smell weird! I happen to be a very small person and I have a very soft look so I can usually win over the shy kids pretty fast but I've seen clowns that would curdle milk! My family attended an event where there was a clown who everyone was afraid of. He was very tall with green hair and scary make-up and even my husband avoided him! The sad part is, I found out later that he was a war veteran who just wanted to make kids laugh! As clowns, we need to pick our makeup and costumes carefully! Try your "look" out with honest friends before you go out in public and ask their opinion! Look at pictures of yourself! Most of all, don't approach anyone who looks frightened of you, just give them a shy smile, maybe a gentle wave and then let them come to you if they decide to. I have had many shy kids approach me because I acted shy too! NEVER force a frightened child to participate, it will only increase their fear. This might sound strange but even though I AM a clown myself and absolutely LOVE entertaining people (especially the littlest ones), I am often "creeped out" by other clowns and will avoid them if they seem scary or smell weird!
I happen to be a very small person and I have a very soft look so I can usually win over the shy kids pretty fast but I've seen clowns that would curdle milk!
My family attended an event where there was a clown who everyone was afraid of. He was very tall with green hair and scary make-up and even my husband avoided him! The sad part is, I found out later that he was a war veteran who just wanted to make kids laugh! As clowns, we need to pick our makeup and costumes carefully!
Try your "look" out with honest friends before you go out in public and ask their opinion! Look at pictures of yourself! Most of all, don't approach anyone who looks frightened of you, just give them a shy smile, maybe a gentle wave and then let them come to you if they decide to.
I have had many shy kids approach me because I acted shy too! NEVER force a frightened child to participate, it will only increase their fear.

]]> By: Jeanne Ohms http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Jeanne Ohms Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:46:04 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-84 When I do birthday parties I start with my foam camera. I find out if anyone is afraid of me right at the beginning. If they are afraid , I know I have to work carefully. Usually they will observe me for awhile and 99% of the time I get a hug from them by the time I go home. I am a more soft spoken clown with my character being not too much off from my normal personality. I let them know that I am a mommy that loves to have fun with children. I set down my ground rules for behavior for them and promise to have fun. I have had several children that had a bad experience with clowns become my friend by the end of my program. I try not to make loud noise, or if I do I warn them ahead of time. Smiles and silly usually will replace fear. JOJO the ladybug clown When I do birthday parties I start with my foam camera. I find out if anyone is afraid of me right at the beginning. If they are afraid , I know I have to work carefully. Usually they will observe me for awhile and 99% of the time I get a hug from them by the time I go home.
I am a more soft spoken clown with my character being not too much off from my normal personality. I let them know that I am a mommy that loves to have fun with children. I set down my ground rules for behavior for them and promise to have fun.
I have had several children that had a bad experience with clowns become my friend by the end of my program. I try not to make loud noise, or if I do I warn them ahead of time. Smiles and silly usually will replace fear. JOJO the ladybug clown

]]> By: William Kauffman http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-83 William Kauffman Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:11:51 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-83 I recently had a birthday party where I was told ahead of time that one of the children attending had a huge fear of clowns. I have encountered this before and approached it with care. On approaching the child I got down to his level, lowered my volume, reached out my hand as to receive "5"(most kids know this) with some gentle encouragement he finally did give me "5". I continued on with the party and came back to this child in the same manner several times, each time encouraging more interaction. By the time I had finished this party, not only did I receive a hug from this child but he posed for several pictures that his parents were taking and sending to relatives from the cell phone right then and there. They were amazed that not only had he approached me but a hug and pictures. I was thanked by the parents for "curing" their son of this fear, but the real thanks came from the child as I saw the wonderment of his smile that lightened my heart. For this I was truly blessed. This has happened to me on other occasions as well all with similar results, a calm, soft, get down to their level approach seems to do the trick for me, and I am proud to "cure" this problem and be amazed by the smiles and laughs of a child. "Peanut D Clown" -PA I recently had a birthday party where I was told ahead of time that one of the children attending had a huge fear of clowns. I have encountered this before and approached it with care. On approaching the child I got down to his level, lowered my volume, reached out my hand as to receive "5"(most kids know this) with some gentle encouragement he finally did give me "5". I continued on with the party and came back to this child in the same manner several times, each time encouraging more interaction. By the time I had finished this party, not only did I receive a hug from this child but he posed for several pictures that his parents were taking and sending to relatives from the cell phone right then and there. They were amazed that not only had he approached me but a hug and pictures. I was thanked by the parents for "curing" their son of this fear, but the real thanks came from the child as I saw the wonderment of his smile that lightened my heart. For this I was truly blessed. This has happened to me on other occasions as well all with similar results, a calm, soft, get down to their level approach seems to do the trick for me, and I am proud to "cure" this problem and be amazed by the smiles and laughs of a child. "Peanut D Clown" -PA

]]> By: Richard McGriff http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Richard McGriff Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:35:22 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-81 Hi Ya'LL "JOEY's," 'JOEY' is the term used to describe a 'Clown,' named after 'Joseph Grimaldi.' He wore a 'grotesque' make-up & he once, went to a psychologist & asked him 'WHO or WHAT' could cheer HIM UP ?? The good doctor said, 'Just go to the Circus & see the GREAT CLOWN, Joseph Grimaldi, to which 'Grimaldi' replied, "I CAN'T, I AM, "JOSEPH GRIMALDI" !! HIS Makeup WAS 'Grotesque,' to say the LEAST !! JUST REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE ENTERTAINING & Keep It Simple, Stupid =K.I.S.S. I have been ENTERTAINING 'the Little People,' for more than Fifty Years. Just Ask their Parents to Ask their Child & the Children that are coming to the Party, IF THEY are Afraid of CLOWNS ?? Also, ARRIVE EARLY so You will have time to meet the 'Birthday Child' and kinda GET TO KNOW THEM !! I 'squat-down' SO they do NOT have to Look Up to ME, makes me on THEIR LEVEL & then, I am NOT SO BIG, in their EYES !! DoN'T do ANYTHING that would 'SCARE' them, Loud Noises, Quick Movements.,,etc. I used to use a 'Dwarf Rabbit' & would Make IT 'VANISH' then AT the END of my show, I would make it, REAPPEAR, If I did IT they OTHER way, the 'little people' would WORRY about, IF the RABBIT is SAFE !! HOPE THAT I HELPED !! I am 'BLiNKY' the MagiC Clown, Cartersville, GA. USA, (770)-815-2354-Cell #. Hi Ya'LL "JOEY's,"
'JOEY' is the term used to describe a 'Clown,' named after 'Joseph Grimaldi.' He wore a 'grotesque' make-up & he once, went to a psychologist & asked him 'WHO or WHAT' could cheer HIM UP ?? The good doctor said, 'Just go to the Circus & see the GREAT CLOWN, Joseph Grimaldi, to which 'Grimaldi' replied, "I CAN'T, I AM, "JOSEPH GRIMALDI" !!
HIS Makeup WAS 'Grotesque,' to say the LEAST !!
JUST REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE ENTERTAINING & Keep It Simple, Stupid =K.I.S.S.

I have been ENTERTAINING 'the Little People,' for more than Fifty Years. Just Ask their
Parents to Ask their Child & the Children that are coming to the Party, IF THEY are Afraid of CLOWNS ?? Also, ARRIVE EARLY so You will have time to meet the 'Birthday
Child' and kinda GET TO KNOW THEM !! I 'squat-down' SO they do NOT have to Look Up to ME, makes me on THEIR LEVEL & then, I am NOT SO BIG, in their EYES !!
DoN'T do ANYTHING that would 'SCARE' them, Loud Noises, Quick Movements.,,etc.
I used to use a 'Dwarf Rabbit' & would Make IT 'VANISH' then AT the END of my show,
I would make it, REAPPEAR, If I did IT they OTHER way, the 'little people' would WORRY about, IF the RABBIT is SAFE !!
HOPE THAT I HELPED !!
I am 'BLiNKY' the MagiC Clown, Cartersville, GA. USA, (770)-815-2354-Cell #.

]]> By: George Bellefeuille http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-78 George Bellefeuille Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:35:55 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-78 I had thoughts on this very subject several years ago ....I realized that I needed to change with the times....I took a good look at the "BIG LEAGUE" fella's Ringling Bros. B & B...and of course Cirque Soleil ...either I could go extreme or really tone it down....seeing as I'm not on the big stage or center ring , I choose to go the not so out of the norm approach... simple red shirt , dress black tie , black clowish hat w/ big red button...red sneakers (normal size) only make-up I wear now is a lil' blush , eye liner...and a b2 pro nose.... my character is not garish or smart alecky---nor is he a stooge....maybe a little simple. I have NO idea what would work for others....but I hope and pray that the GOOD LORD BLESSES each of you with a prosperous year of entertaining, Homer Hallelu I had thoughts on this very subject several years ago ….I realized that I needed to change with the times….I took a good look at the "BIG LEAGUE" fella's Ringling Bros. B & B…and of course Cirque Soleil …either I could go extreme or really tone it down….seeing as I'm not on the big stage or center ring , I choose to go the not so out of the norm approach…
simple red shirt , dress black tie , black clowish hat w/ big red button…red sneakers (normal size) only make-up I wear now is a lil' blush , eye liner…and a b2 pro nose….
my character is not garish or smart alecky—nor is he a stooge….maybe a little simple.
I have NO idea what would work for others….but I hope and pray that the GOOD LORD BLESSES each of you with a prosperous year of entertaining, Homer Hallelu

]]> By: jerry http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-77 jerry Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:11:57 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-77 For the past years that I have Clowned and ran accross this problem, has been they have seen the movie IT For the past years that I have Clowned and ran accross this problem, has been they have seen the movie IT

]]> By: loupage http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-74 loupage Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:00:01 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-74 Thanks for the comment and the link. Some of the responses you received on your blog are quite insightful. Thanks for the comment and the link. Some of the responses you received on your blog are quite insightful.

]]> By: Bozoette Mary http://circusmagic.com/clowning/fear-of-clowns/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Bozoette Mary Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:30:55 +0000 http://circusmagic.com/?p=780#comment-73 I did a blog post on this very topic, but I asked readers to tell me why they were scared of clowns. Interesting responses! You can check it out here: <a href="http://bozoette.typepad.com/red_nose/2009/05/tell-me-why-youre-scared-of-clowns.html" target="_blank">http://bozoette.typepad.com/red_nose/2009/05/tell...</a> I did a blog post on this very topic, but I asked readers to tell me why they were scared of clowns. Interesting responses! You can check it out here:
http://bozoette.typepad.com/red_nose/2009/05/tell...

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