An Irrational Fear
Posted in Back in History and tagged with Childhood, Costume, Fear on May 4, 2008I mentioned this in my 100 things post, but as a child I was afraid of anything with a non-human face. This meant that I climbed on top of my parents when I saw a dog, refused to walk in to the petting zoo, cried hysterically while at Sesame Street Live, and hid behind cars when I saw a clown. (Though most of these incidents happen when I was very young, several when I was 4 or 5, I remember them vividly, so I know I must have been very scared).
That fear has never really gone away. I’ve realized that I don’t have to be scared of most animals and can tolerate them. Humans dressed up in costumes? Yep, that still creeps me out. That was confirmed today when I was at a community event for work and mascots for various local sports teams were there. Thankfully none came close to me, because I really cannot stand them.
The funny thing is, I’ve been that non-humanlike human before. When I was in middle school, I dressed up in a Miss Piggy costume for a Girl Scout event. When I wasn’t in the costume, I led other costumed characters around, which I didn’t find scary since I knew the person on the other side of the mask. When I was in high school, I dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West (everyone felt it was fitting) for marching band, green face paint and all. I definitely scared the little kiddies, including my best friends kid sister, even though she knew it was me.
I know many people dislike clowns, but am I alone in not liking masked people? Is this just another reason why I may be insane?
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