(no subject)

[turps]

I've just been reading castalie LJ which mentioned clowns and have a question.

Does anyone actually *like* clowns?

I think they're evil creepy things and can't believe that they're aimed at children, and a lot of people seem to agree. So anyone like them?

Comments

clowns

[(Anonymous)]

StarWatcher waving, not anonymous.

>>Does anyone actually *like* clowns? <<

Well, it depends on the clown. Some are quite silly and fun, despite the paint. Some are indeed mean, with somewhat cruel humour. (Hey, I used the 'our' spelling just for you! *g*) So I like the silly ones, don't care for the mean ones. I think the problem is, it's harder to be truly silly, so, many times the "humour" does slide somewhat toward cruelty.

BUT - I live in the American Southwest, and this is the last day of the week-long County Fair, including four nights of rodeo. Rodeo clowns are largely unsung heroes. If a cowboy comes off a bucking horse, the horse ignores him and keeps bucking (usually). If a cowboy comes off a bucking bull, the bull will turn on the cowboy and try to trample or gore him. The cowboy is picking himself up out of the dirt; he's in no condition to react quickly. It is the job of the clowns to jump between the cowboy and the bull, and draw the bull's attention away from the other man. So there the clown is, on foot, dodging 1500 pounds (110 stone) of fast, angry animal. His refuge is usually a padded barrel - he jumps in, crouches inside, and lets the bull head-butt the barrel around while other people escourt the cowboy out of the arena and another cowboy on a horse eventually ropes the bull and drags him away. BUT he has to stay ahead of the bull, dodging and weaving, long enough to *run* to the barrel from however far away the bull dumped the cowboy.

So, yes, I have a soft spot for clowns in general, though there may be specific individuals that I don't care for.

Linda

Re: clowns

[babycakesin.livejournal.com]

oh yeah, I had forgotten about the rodeo clowns - definitely different - I'm not scared of *them* lol

Re: clowns

[turps33.livejournal.com]

oh yeah, I had forgotten about the rodeo clowns - definitely different - I'm not scared of *them* lol

Well I've never seen one but they look different to the creepy normal ones. I'll take yours and SW's word on it that they're okay *g*

Re: clowns

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Some are quite silly and fun, despite the paint. Some are indeed mean, with somewhat cruel humour. (Hey, I used the 'our' spelling just for you! *g*) So I like the silly ones, don't care for the mean ones. I think the problem is, it's harder to be truly silly, so, many times the "humour" does slide somewhat toward cruelty.

Good point. I've seen some that are funny, especially ones that do children's parties. But you're right, some clowns humour is designed to humiliate and that's not fun at all. Hey, and I saw the spelling, makes me feel right at home *g*

Oh wow, your description of what a clown does at a rodeo is great. They must be so brave to do that. I can't believe that they would *want* to dive into a padded barrel and be headbutted around. It sounds like the cowboy gets all the glory too.

Hmm, I'll maybe have to modify my stance on clowns now that I know some are so brave. Thanks for the alternate viewpoint.