I listen to a noon radio talk show most of the time. This week one of the topics was about how our kids have embarrassed us. I had an instant idea but didn't phone in. Instead ,I thought I'd tell my readers the story.
I have to set things up for the story. Early 1970's. (Wow that seems like a long time ago.) We wore huge bell bottom pants that had large patterns and wild colors. Remember the leisure suits? My son was 3 1/2 years old.
We were camping. I took him to the campground bathroom. My son pointed to a cubicle and said, "Dad, there's a clown in there." I tried to ignore him and distract his attention. He got more excited than ever and was jumping up and down because there was a clown in one of the cubicles. Since we were standing waiting for a cubicle to be available I couldn't hide. What my son saw was the bottom of a pair of trousers and big shoes. The pant cuffs were huge. The green plaid pattern was gigantic...something like what a clown would wear.
The guy emerged from the cubicle and my son was jumping up and down saying, " There he is Dad. There's the clown."
Now I must admit the guy could have been taken for a clown. He was young and obese so the bell bottoms were larger than ever. I don't think the guy caught on that he was being called a clown.
When we got back to our camper my son told his Mom that he had seen a clown.
It was embarrassing but fun once it was over.
Great story!
ReplyDeletethanks.
DeleteHa! You remind me how much men's fashions have changed in the years you mention. I remember those bell bottoms. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe 70's were wild. I did have a leisure suit.
DeleteI think you got lucky. The "clown" was apparently cot clued in enough to be insulted.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if he knew and ignored it or didn't catch on.
DeleteMy son was about 6 years old and we were at McDonalds or Burger King grabbing a quick dinner after some swim function or whatever. Suddenly my son says, "Why is that man smoking? Smoking is bad for you." We tried to shush him and drag him away. I gave an apologetic, embarrassed smile to the fellow. As the man was leaving later he stopped by our table and said kindly, "I do know, young man. I'm really trying to quit."
ReplyDeleteSometimes the little guys can rally get behind a cause.
DeleteOh my gosh, this is so funny! I needed a laugh this morning! When my youngest daughter was around four she really embarrassed me. Every Saturday morning this fellow, a friend of my husband, stopped by to visit. I liked to clean house on Saturday mornings. As his car pulled in our driveway one Saturday morning, I said, "that man is the biggest pest!". He knocked at the door and my four year old daughter opened the door and said, "DP, mama just said, you are the biggest pest"! I could not even look at him!
ReplyDeleteOh that would really embarrass you. Kids are so littoral.
DeleteHa!! Well, some of us DID look very clown-like in those '70s clothes. At least the guy never caught on! He probably thought he was incredibly hip.
ReplyDeleteWe all thought we were hip wearing the outrageous 70's styles. Now Steve, you weren't old enough to wear the 70's stuff!
DeleteSometimes those phone-ins can be funny. Thing is, you have to sit on the phone waiting for your turn for 15 minutes! I'm glad you shared the story here!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, you never know when they're talking to you or when you're on the air!
DeleteHa! A lot of the clothing I wore in the 70s would have been suitable for a clown.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we'll ever see those styles again?
DeleteIf the movie It was around at the time, the story could have been different
ReplyDeleteThere were certainly some options in this case.
DeleteHa Ha! Good story! I have to agree with Stephen Hayes ... same is true for me! :-)
ReplyDeleteJohn, I can see you in a loud colorful jacket!
DeleteOh boy, kids will be kids!
ReplyDeleteI think we all did embarrassing things when we were little.
DeleteI am picturing Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd on Saturday Night Live in the 70s doing their "wild and crazy guys" skit - hah!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, the things kids come out with can be horrifying!
Those two wore some of the most outlandish clothes. Did anybody say clowns?
DeleteLOL, they are so sincere sometimes
ReplyDeleteAs a tiny child I once asked a visitor if she was 'the funny Auntie Elsie' because she always dressed head to foot in black.
ReplyDeleteHa ha. You can depend on a kid to tell the truth about fashion! I was just looking at wedding pictures from the 70s last night and had forgotten the dark and light blue striped pants my dad wore to my wedding!
ReplyDeleteGood story... and I remember when Art Linkletter had a TV show way back when called KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS!
ReplyDeleteChildren have an open mind to see things and speak them out loud.
ReplyDeleteWell wait till we get older Red unless you already have this.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me They will have something that bothers them our grown kids for sure us embarrasses them.
Oh yes when kids bother us back then. We freaked out with silly unpredictable occurrence from them. Kids speak what is on there minds.
Yes my daughter when small mentioned Clown. I had the Avon Lady visit showing me all kinds of makeup. The lady herself was overly make up done. My daughter at that age piped up. She tugged at my sweater. Mom. I said what honey. Pointed at the lady and said. You look like a clown. I did turn different shades of red I bet. She smiled and said. Drunks and kids tell the truth most times. I guess I have put too much make up on. I was in a hurry to-day.
Oh your Story Red was funny. I meant to tell you.
ReplyDelete