Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Don't send in the clowns


(edited to add a less scary clown - didn't want to sway the vote)

Ben and I have an ongoing debate: he loves clowns (wishes he could be one) and I hate them. I think they're scarier than all get-out. Who knows what psycho is hiding behind the white paint. He's always told me that I'm paranoid - I'm the only person in the world that doesn't like clowns. Then today, I read this article on Yahoo frontpage:


Bad news for Coco and Blinko -- children don't like clowns and even older kids are scared of them.

The news that will no doubt have clowns shedding tears was revealed in a poll of youngsters by researchers from the University of Sheffield who were examining how to improve the decor of hospital children's wards.
The study, reported in the Nursing Standard magazine, found all the 250 patients aged between four and 16 they quizzed disliked the use of clowns, with even the older ones finding them scary.


"As adults we make assumptions about what works for children," said Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university.


"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."


Its good to know I'm not alone. As it turns out there's even a clinical term for people just like me: Coulrophobia. So, what do you think about clowns - funny or scary?

14 comments:

Savage Family said...

I hate clowns! That picture you put up on your blog freaks me out!!

erin said...

I don't think I cared one way or the other when I was little but after seeing "IT" in college, they definitely freak me out now.

Oceanchild said...

I read this story today too. Clowns are pretty horrible in my opinion.

I'm so glad to know another AI watcher. I totally think that last chick (Brooke White?) is Mormon, don't you?

Also, I was going to go to Anne Marie's Liasophia party, but I have other plans...I'd totally want to meet you. :) Maybe another party...maybe I should have lived in Lehi...

Savage Family said...
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Savage Family said...
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Savage Family said...

Sorry about the delted comments!! You changed the clown picture!! That one you had on was SCARY!!! You should come tonight I think it would be fun to see you!! Just come and hang out!

The Gatherum Family said...

EWWWWWW-I hate clowns-HATE THEM-good post. I don't know if we are related to anyone in Herriman. What are their first names? I am sure we are, it's a pretty unique name, but I don't know for sure...

carrie said...

You know my opinion on clowns...and I've had to learn the hard way. I honestly gave them a chance....ha ha

Chelsea said...

Me too Christie, I find clowns unfunny at best, and downright scary at worst. There have been too many horror movies about them!

I met a woman in France that had a huge collection of those crying clown dolls. Scariest thing I've ever seen.

Jan said...

It was "It" that did me in as far as clowns go. No clowns for me!

Anonymous said...

Ok, so…my coworker discovered my fear of clowns and, having no sympathy, sent me a link to a site where you could rate how scary you thought any given clown picture to be. Turns out, I am not afraid of clowns, I am petrified of them. When I finished I learned that I thought most pictures were about 90 percent more frightening than anyone else that answered the poll. But that’s ok…I know the truth. Clowns are bad.

Lora
TLOL

Lynita said...

I am with Jan, once I saw "It" it was all over for me. I am totally coulrophobic! Ben would make and especially scary clown because of his goatee! So don't "Send in the clowns", send the clowns to hell!

Anne Marie said...

I HATE clowns. I've always thought they were freaky. I love the Seinfeld where Kramer is afraid of the clown. That is a great one.

Megan said...

Not a huge clown fan! I totally agree that young kids like them, but all they see is some colorful happy thing! Older kids are more freaked out. Well at least that is how it was with me when I was younger.