Parents Talk: An Evil Clown Stalks Children in the Name of Birthday Fun
Apparently there is an "evil" clown that is hired to scare a child in the days leading up to his or her birthday. What?
A couple weeks ago, our Parents Talk discussion was on creepy kids toys.
Many agreed that a clown, anything having to do with a clown or anything resembling a clown was straight up creepy.
Well, an actor in the Swiss city of Lucerne has set himself up as the "evil" birthday clown.
According to the Huffington Post and the Austrian Times, for a fee, parents can hire this psychotic clown—played by actor Dominic Deville—to leave menacing, booby-trapped letters for their children. He will also tease through text messages and phone calls. Deville warns the children they are being watched and that they will soon be the victim of an attack. At the end of the terror-filled week, the birthday boy or girl catches a cake in the face.
According to the Herald Sun, Deville said: "It's all in fun and if at any point the kids get scared or their parents are concerned, we stop right there."
He also added that most children "absolutely love" being terrified by his antics.
Now I have to admit that this is pretty creative—both on the part of the parents and Deville—but, I wonder who actually does this!
So, we have to know, would you consider doing something like this for your child's birthday?
Take our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Is there anything similar to this in the U.S. that you know about?
Tell us in the comments.
James Warden
6:14 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
This is creepy. No, not the clown (although there's that). It's the fact that a parent hires a clown to do stuff that would count as bullying if students did it to one another.
Mary Matheson
9:12 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Absolutely not, sounds like child abuse.
Dave
9:33 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
If it was a scary looking monster id be ok with it. As lame as clowns seem to me they should be kept friendly with goofy antics.
You would need to warn the kid before hand what was happening...or that would be looking for trouble. Most of all the kid needs the right temperment. Could be an interesting practical joke but like all practical jokes be careful what it is and who you pull it on.
Kari
10:05 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
If it were a one time joke and then "Surprise- Happy Birthday" I might be okay, but the whole stalking and tormenting aspect seems over the top to me.
Kevira Voegele
10:16 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Clowns completely creep me out, so I would be terrified if I was the child. I had a bad incident with a clown at a haunted house when I was 7. The clown had fangs. As far as the Swiss "evil" clown, it seems menacing (the notes) and humiliating (the pie). I can't imagine what makes that fun for the kids.
Ken Smith
11:35 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I guess for me it would depend on the age of the child. If the child is old enough to go to, and enjoy, places like Valleyscare, why not?
But, with that being said, I would hope parents would let their children know they be getting a "normal" birthday party.
Catherine Harding
11:50 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
This brings to mind the movie "The Game." This was a great idea for an R-rated movie, but it's a horrible way to treat a child.
rob_h78
12:43 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I am not a clown person and neither is my kid so this would be a no go.
However, I know a few folks who think this evil clown idea is pretty cool and one of them has a kid who I have no doubt would love to have this evil clown as part of his birthday...
Cathy Deering
2:42 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Seriously???!!! This is awful! Why would you want to do this to your children?
Caitlin Burgess
4:28 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Honestly, I couldn't resist this topic. When I read about it I was shocked. I think it is totally clever and kind of funny, but, of course, the way it's laid out seems a bit too much. I also agree with others that this decision is dependent on the nature and age of the child. But, if I were 10 years old again and my parents did that to me, well, I'd be upset for a while.
Michael Rose
9:01 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
This does seem a bit cruel and unusual. However, I might be inclined to hire someone to mess with my 18+ child (I don't have one...this is hypothetical). That actually could be kind of funny..."Punking" your college freshman son/daughter could be cool. For instance, maybe you could hire an impostor dorm roommate, who would be the biggest jerk of all time. Then, a few days in, you could reveal the hoax. That's funny in my book