# No empty threats! I'm running off to join the circus! I mean it this time! Advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 4, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461 "2003-09-04T03:52:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/1 "2003-09-04T03:52:31Z")
In a nutshell life here sucks. I’m bored -really bored- at work and school and I’ve been very unsatisfied with everything as of late. So I’ve decided I’m going to do something romantic with myself and leave everything behind to run off and join the circus. I figure there’s a bunch I need to know before I travel all the way to Omaha incase maybe there’s a circus in town at the time. A good thing to know would be how many circuses are there and how often they travel to a place like Omaha. What else do I need to know about this? What’s the job market in the circus like? Is the pay any good, considering the rent’s free? How old must I be for certain jobs? Being a tightrope walker isn’t in my cards (the whole dying aspect and all), so I figure I can get a job as a clown maybe or if that fails, a roustabout. What’s that like? Anyone ever been part of the circus or leave home for something similar and want to share any stories? My parents never took me to the circus when I was little, will that hold me back? Other than psychologically, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/2 "2003-09-04T06:15:32Z")
I think the main thing you need to decide is will you be a good clown…or an _eeeevviiillll clown_? ---
**Author:** ![Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satisfying_Andy_Licious)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/3 "2003-09-04T07:38:57Z")
[So you wanna join the circus?](http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/circus/circus.html) > [@](#): > > You’ll have to move into a circus trailer. It may be located next to the scary lion trailer, or worse yet, the gnarly-smelling elephant trailer. > You’ll be expected to put on a smile and work weekdays, weekends, and some holidays, through fatigue and bad moods, even when there are only five people in the audience. > After each succession of performances is over, you pack up, move to a new town, and do it all over again. This goes on year-round. I’m not interested in joining a circus. I’ll just watch the California governor’s race. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/4 "2003-09-04T15:25:58Z")
My advice: Watch where you step. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/5 "2003-09-04T16:28:45Z")
So far _at least_ 3 people in my family have run off to join the circus. All mentally unstable, all without email. Sorry, I can’t help you more… Heh. The circus is, apparently, to my family as the ocean is to the people of Innsmouth… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/6 "2003-09-04T18:02:34Z")
If you mean it, there are loads of circus schools here, have you checked the situation where you live? ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/7 "2003-09-04T18:18:20Z")
Get makeup tips from [an expert.](http://www.lookadoo.com/images/mimi.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/8 "2003-09-04T18:36:49Z")
Hot damn! There is a [juggling club](http://www.juggling.org/~omaha/) in Omaha that you can join. Juggling is a useful life skill as well as a valuable circus skill. You’ll be able to juggle your bills and responsibilities with _style_, man! 😃 Ringling Bros. Barnum& Bailey will be in Omaha next month, on Oct. 15th. Click the smiley for the schedule. [😉](http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/49977) ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/9 "2003-09-04T18:44:08Z")
Well, if you’re going to work as a roustabout, the first thing you’ll have to do is knock out two or three of your teeth. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dinoboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dinoboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinoboy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/10 "2003-09-04T22:38:04Z")
We have a circus comming to where I work in two weeks (no, seriously) I’ll ask for you. 😉 I’ll warn you though; most of these guys are jack-of-all-trade types, they help set up the rings, they juggle, they spin on a little rope-thingy, everything. Our visiting circus is pretty small though, one ring, so it may be different elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![dinoboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dinoboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinoboy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/11 "2003-09-04T22:42:31Z")
Quick hj: Hey tabithina (or anyone), call me stupid, but how’d you hotlink the smiley? I’m pretty computer un-savvy so use small words. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/12 "2003-09-05T02:12:05Z")
When I was 40 I had the opportunity to run away to a different coast. I took it. I still can not believe the look of truly heart rotting envy that passed over some faces when I announced my plans. Do it NOW, it won’t be get any more convenient. ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/13 "2003-09-05T05:09:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dinoboy \* > \*\*Quick hj: > > Hey tabithina (or anyone), call me stupid, but how’d you hotlink the smiley? I’m pretty computer un-savvy so use small words. \*\* Replace the “{}” with “”, and type as follows: {url=cut and paste your link here}put your smiley code here, or any other words that you would like to show up as a hyperlink{/url} And, with that offering, I have exhausted my puny store of computer knowledge. And, now— back to the circus… About getting your circus gear–I found a link that juxtaposes innocous clown costumes with terribly frightening ones. [I think that “Bitter” scares me the most…](http://www.top-costumes.com/clown_costumes/) _::shivershivershivershiver::_ ---
**Author:** ![dinoboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dinoboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinoboy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/14 "2003-09-05T13:48:25Z")
Thanks **Tab** ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/15 "2003-09-05T16:13:43Z")
“Hoop Clown Adult Unisex.” **shudder** \* ---
**Author:** ![potato\_masher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/858c86/32.png) [@potato\_masher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/potato_masher)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/16 "2003-09-05T23:58:41Z")
If you do join the circus, just don’t have a normal act, combine a bunch into one, you’ll be like your own tightrope unicycling, flaming knife swallowing, sword juggling one man circus with an insurance policy that costs more than the national debt. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/17 "2003-09-06T02:46:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by slortar \* > \*\*So far _at least_ 3 people in my family have run off to join the circus. All mentally unstable, all without email. Sorry, I can’t help you more… > > Heh. The circus is, apparently, to my family as the ocean is to the people of Innsmouth… 😃 \*\* How did their experiences go/how did they go about doing that? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/18 "2003-09-06T04:57:16Z")
Maybe you can juggle a baby, a chainsaw, and a 1920s-style death ray! ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/19 "2003-09-06T17:06:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blackeyes \* > \*\*How did their experiences go/how did they go about doing that? \*\* Sadly, I really can’t say too much about them–they were the black sheep of the family and most of the people who know the details aren’t telling. Hm. That reminds me of another circus link in my family–my great-grandfather on my mother’s side ran off on my great-grandmother for several years. Turns out he was living with an ex-circus peformer–a woman with bright artificially red hair and a wooden leg. My mom gave me the picture of the family reunion where he returned. Great-grandfather at one end. Great-grandmother at the other end, looking like she’d swallowed a bucket of ammonia. (Very young) mom in between looking like she’d rather be somewhere else… Really, my family **isn’t** as abnormal as I’m making it sound. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461/20 "2003-09-09T02:22:29Z")
What’s the pay like, considering the rent is pretty much free? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-empty-threats-im-running-off-to-join-the-circus-i-mean-it-this-time-advice/199461.md?page=2)