L - Clown - living in a fish bowl

Often, when we speak of "appearances," in this business we are referring to a "gig" or an outing of some sort. Some people might focus in on how we look, cosmetically, as another form of an appearance. But how about that "impression" we leave on people? Just how important is this appearance?

Appearances ARE important, especially when you are talking about the latter form, that of impressions.

What kind of impression do you leave? What kind of impression does your unit leave? These are important questions to answer… but when you answer them, think of WHO you’re leaving the impression with. With the adults, the parents… potential members and/or supporters. With the children… the same thing! It IS important!

Every time you dress, you should consider that you may be the only Mason, the only Shriner, and the only Shrine Clown SOMEBODY that you will run into on that day has ever met. You will, therefore, be it right or wrong, define in their mind what a Mason, a Shriner, and a Shrine Clown is. It IS important!

I love to have fun as much as the next guy – people who know me can (hopefully) attest to that fact. In fact, I may like to have fun even more than the next guy, but there are things I will NOT do when I am representing the Shrine or Masonry in some form or fashion. I keep in mind the impression I may be making on "someone" that I probably don’t even know… and it’s not difficult either. As a Shrine Clown with almost 10 years experience now, I also know that newer Shrine Clowns are looking to me for an example to follow and that, too, is important. Leading by example.

I may be attuned to this "impression" phenomena due to my life’s experiences. Perhaps because I have come to grips with the reality of "living in a fish bowl." As an Air Force Academy graduate, I spent four years knowing that the city of Colorado Springs and the multitude of visitors at the Academy were watching us cadets. It was important – and still is – that the public have a favorable opinion of the cadets. If anyone has ever felt like they were being watched, cadets at the Air Force Academy can speak to this, often joking internally about the visitors throwing us peanuts from the chapel wall… like monkeys in a zoo. It never happened, but that is the feeling cadets can identify with, and we understood it and appreciated it – and strived to never let the public down.

Even now, in the Air Force, I remain in tune with this "fish bowl" phenomena. How it hurts my pride when I hear of fellow airmen parking a USAF vehicle in front of certain kinds of places – such as "local folk dancing" establishments – and giving the public a lower impression of what we are all about than reality! Likewise, it hurts my pride to see or hear of fellow airmen doing such "minor" things as wearing their uniforms improperly in public, or to see fellow airmen poorly groomed. Minor things? It leaves impressions with the public.

So, think about the impression your appearance is making at your next appearance… take a look (be a fly on the wall for a minute or two) at your fellow Shrine Clowns and think about the impression they are making. If you were a kid, would you want to grow up to be one of your group? If you were a parent, would you want to join or support this group? If someone has alcohol on their breath – or is actually drinking – what kind of impression does that leave? How about smoking? How about hitting on the ladies that are present? Just things to think about.

We do have a "Code of Conduct" contained within our bylaws. They’re important! They’re not there just to appease Imperial so we can have an association they will sanction! They offer great advice and guidance to help US perpetuate ourselves by presenting a solid impression. Afterall, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Don’t blow it… save your air for the balloons!

Gaylord Z. Thomas

"Zeeby"