That Certain Look
Posted at 6:04 AM on February 4, 2010
by Dale Connelly
(43 Comments)
Radio Heartland has tickets to a concert by Roseanne Cash at the Guthrie Theater this coming Monday, February 8th.
Enter the drawing.
Obey the rules.
Good luck!
Starting tomorrow, I'll take a six-day blog holiday. Fortunately, Cynthia, Joanne, Beth-Ann, Anna, Renee and Clyde have volunteered to blog sit for me, so their names will appear over the central entry each day.
Picture them unselfishly pounding away at their keyboards for our benefit, and please respond accordingly with your usual mixture of interest and humor. Had I thought about it more carefully, we'd have some kind of representative image for each of our guest bloggers - a face for you to contemplate as you read their post. Although the visual element can sometimes get in the way of an honest exchange of ideas.
At the end of yesterday's string of comments, Clyde dropped the following bombshell:
"I look much like Santa Claus now."
I suppose it is not a small thing to look like Santa Claus in the USA today, or anywhere in the world for that matter. Here's a photo I found posted on Flickr by a well traveled soul named "Carpetblogger".
This weary looking character may be the real Santa, or the Clyde of Azerbaijan, or perhaps it is your local Toyota dealer looking for a way to start making money again.
Santa Clyde went on to ask this question:
Out in public small children, I mean from age 6 months to 4, stare at me, come to me, smile at me. I am not all that small-child-friendly a person by and large. So is there something iconic about the look of Santa (a pretty universal figure now), something children are encoded to respond to? We know we are hard-wired to respond to some things, such as the characteristics of infants. So What is it?
I would guess that the color RED has something to do with it.
And a white beard is especially good at showing off bits of whatever you had for lunch. Polite adults pretend not to notice but the very young find this interesting and it could be that their own haphazard eating habits make them expert bib readers. Perhaps they're wondering how you liked your soup.
Any other theories? Are some "looks" inherently welcoming? Off-putting?
Comments (43)
i would guess it is a cultural phenomenon - the culture of a small town, for instance and not the whole country. in one area the guy above might be welcomed and set down to dinner with the family. in another he might be avoided and reported to the local constabulary. i bet in a gated community in Boca Raton this guy may not fare well, but in Mankato??
as a short, unattractive woman, i find that people in our culture feel very free to talk to me and kids like me (even though, as Clyde, i may not seek them out) but in Las Vegas or Rodeo Drive it would probably be a different story. so do we live where we are loved or do we become where we live?
Greetings! I find myself looking and smiling at Santa Claus-like features as well, so it's not just children that find this appealing. Generally, I like looking at most people that our culture deems attractive -- male or female. Working retail, I realize that I'm being more friendly and helpful to attractive men at times. But I usually make an effort to treat everyone with kindness and listen to their needs.
What I find off-putting are grumpy or arrogant folks. Turn that frown upside down, people! Have a great day.
Good Morning All,
I supose you have a big white beard, Clyde. Do you have a round belly that giggles like a bowl full of jelly. Those two things might identify you as Santa to very young people and being on the tall side would help. Red clothes would add to the Santa image, but I wouldn't think you usually dress in red, but if you do a guess everyone might see you a version of Santa. You don't go around shouting Ho Ho Ho do you?
When Clyde catches the gaze of a wee one, my guess is that in his cranium, he starts pondering a poem. While he inwardly composes, without even realizing it, the corners of his mouth turn upward. At the very same time, his dimples appear, his eyes twinkle, and the child intuitively knows this is truly a kind and gentle man. The fact that he looks like Santa Claus is secondary.
Dale - that photo is priceless! Have fun - you know we will!
Would you please play Josh Ritter's Good Man for Clyde if can fit it?
Clyde also remarked in his post that we are all programmed to respond positively to babies" faces. The same configuration broad forehead, big eyes, fat cheeks is found in most young mammals. At our house we say it is the "Don't eat me . I am your future face." The archetype Santa has these same facial ratios. While Dale's guy is lacking the proportions, maybe Clyde has them.
Travel safely , Dale!
Good trip, Dale. Knowing where you are going, I am red with envy--wait, wait, that's green isn't? I'll take that image for myself; I have a nose like that so I want that hood. My wife serves as "food in the beard patrol." Click and Clack have a very good website; often very funny. Once had a bit about a day as seen through the eyes and words of Dougy Behrman's dog. Had a picture of Tommy as seen by the dog with the caption, "This guy is kind of stupid but his beard is always full of food I can eat." Another picture was of garbage cans in the alley with the caption. “My owner is so dumb. Every week he puts these out and someone steals from them. But he puts them back right out the next week."
My eye is attracted to people who look like hold-overs from the 60’s, the hippie but not flower-child look. To old lined faces, to lively jr. high kids in groups awkward in their bodies and afraid to get more than 3 feet from one another for fear of not being a part of the group, to small children in glasses, to college girls who don’t look like college girls (I do live here in college-dominate Mankato), to the beautiful little Hispanic children around here and to their families which are clearly such “families,” to people quietly praying in church, to people with natural unstudied poise and grace, the meaning of small gestures such as the turn of a woman’s wrist or the power in a man’s sinewed arm. I am bothered by those who look lonely, self-consciously aware they are not a part of the life around them. I do spend a lot of time at the mall waiting for my wife.
barb, just to be sure you saw it, I will repeat the quote from Treebeard I put up for you at the end yesterday: “Sheep become like the shepherd and the shepherd becomes like the sheep.”
Jim, sort of straggly white beard and hair, 6 feet tall and about 20 lbs over weight. I am usually accused of looking rather severe, which makes my wife wonder greatly why kids react this way to me. She, by the way, the ultimate child attractor, is jealous that they now come to me when it used to be her.Traditionally Santa Claus and his clones were more likely to be sort of severe looking, stronger on coal than candy, and thin. American prosperity seems to have spread his girth, his smile, and his image acorss the world.
I would like to take a moment to thank you for the Mavis Staples tickets. Bill won the tickets and the show was fantastic! A nice surprise was that the Pines opened for her; that was an unexpected treat. Then for the rest of the night I felt we were in the presence of greatness. She is such a joy to listen to. The stories and music blended into an uplifting evening that showed we’ve come a long way but there is still a long road to travel so we must keep on marching.
Dale, would you pick a Mavis Staples song to play and maybe throw in Hearts & Bones so the 6 of us Heartlanders that were there can re-live a few moments of last night? Then if anyone out there in RH is planning on going tonight, ENJOY!
I think that there are faces that just seem more welcoming - regardless of the cultural setting, it might be the geometry of the face (e.g., round cheeks) or it might just be a twinkle in someone's eyes. I'd be willing to guess that Clyde has both.
I have been asked for directions a handful of times when I have been in cities I don't know myself (e.g., Oslo, London, NYC) - it can't be that I look like a "native" so it must be the big round, welcoming cheeks.
Good morning, all!
Good Morning! A bit off subject for the blog this moring, but in playing some tunes from "Old Appalachia" and beyond to the old country across the pond, would you please play Joan Baez singing Barbra Allen? I grew up listening to both Joan Baez and the Kingston Trio while falling asleep at night. (Not simultaneously.)
The other possibility, Clyde, is that the children think you are that other big white-bearded guy -- at least what's become the visual representation of him/her -- GOD! Think about it; no wonder they stare...
Wow! THANKS Dale! I just love how clear her voice is (Joan Baez), but forgot how truly sad that song was. Maybe not a great choice for a gloomy day---yikes! But, oh well, it was fabulous to hear it again! And what a mindful pairing with "the bramble and the rose". Great!
Personally, it's my belief that enjoyment of Santa Claus is more (not exclusively because we're talking about humans here) a 'nurture' situation. Much like clowns. Without any previous experience, being handed off to a stranger in loud clothes with a beard that you could lose badger in, laughing maniacally, and (usually) shouting in a loud and affected voice. Let's talk high-octane nightmare fuel. Now, it doesn't take very long for us to realize that we're supposed to enjoy this and, if we do, we are rather specifically rewarded for doing so. On the other hand, this is probably good preparation for such occasions as cocktail parties, class reunions, and the 'work world.' So, I suppose it serves a practical purpose. And don't get me started on the Easter Bunny as a fertility idol.
I can't resist commenting on this sad and unusual picture of a Santa street pedler in Azerbaijan. I think it speaks to the betrayal of people from this part of the world by many fake Stanas. I'm sure that isn't the kind of Santa that Cylde might represent.
Wait a minute, are you suggesting there isn't really a Santa Claus? :-(
I'm not suggesting that there's no Santa Claus. I'm only saying that like that guy at your class reunion or that 'one guy' in the office that wears loud clothes, talks and laughs very affectedly, and is generally regarded as 'scary,' he takes a little getting used to. Before he runs for public office.
tim must still be on his trip.
TGITH--Mall Santas always seem like a childhood rite of passage along those lines--love it. Like the Santa in "Christmas Story." So go ahead--I want to hear about Easter Bunnies as a fertility symbol. I know several adults who say they are afraid of clowns, or find them very not funny, scarry, evil.
Not to beat the drum on this (which means I am), but this is part of what fascinates my wife and I about this: I don't look much like the Coca-Cola Santa, which is one of the primary sources for "that" image of Santa. Do not have fat cheeks, have sort of flappy cheeks. Have very dark eyes (once wrote a poem about the dark eyes in the old women in my mother's family) and any twinkle in them are reserved for my wife.
We were in a LeeAnn Chin's last week and a family with three small children were getting furstrated because the two smallest children wouldn't quit coming to me.
Is Catherine there? Catherine, were you one reading Little Ice Age?
Santa Claus: 'Rite of passage' or 'ordeal ritual'?
Oh, you've got to be kidding me? The Easter Bunny? Not even taking into account the fact that he's a member of the lepus family and rather prodigious at procreation, he's carrying a basket (not unlike even today's baby carriers), full of -eggs-, which he is ~hiding, so that you have to actively search for them in order to get your reward,~ which takes place in the spring (when 'a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love' (by the way, why is it that -guys- get saddled with this?)), and the whole thing is wrapped in swirling pastel nursery colors. The Easter Bunny is a long-eared, hopping fertility clinic.
TGITH--and the tooth fairy?
Really, Clyde, at least they're not mistaking you for the Easter bunny!!
Off topic: Query: Anyone else out there have a Toyota that you feel you should get checked out? Or another car you'd like to loan me for our trip South planned for the last half of February??
Do have a good time on yours, Dale!
Yesterday was Norman Rockwell's birthday. Remember all those benevolent Santas he drew? No wonder people view Clyde as the archetype of a benevolent older gentleman. It's Norman Rockwell's fault.
Barbara-I had a working extra vehicle until Monday(my birthday) when my 18th century husband, a man with no working understanding of machines, managed, while getting a bouquet of birthday tulips, to blow the head gasket and disconnect the radioator hose on our 4 wheel drive pickup while trying to get up an incline near the flower shop. He didh't know that the 4 wheel drive was rusted and hadn't engaged. He then drove around town doing errands with the engine overheating. When he got the tulips home, he put them in the guest room with the door shut so our largest cat wouldn't eat them. The cat hurled his heavy body against the door, got it open, and when we got home on Monday evening, there were tulips all over the floor. That was one expensive vase of flowers! I told my husband ther is a reason why the tachometer numbers at the end of the dial are red. He said he sort of thought he was racing the engine a tad too much, but he wasn't sure.
The Tooth Fairy is actually a racketeer, closely associated with various aspects of organized crime and dentistry (not necessarily two different things). Humans actually can produce as many replacements for lost teeth as necessary. All it would take is the proper amount of calcium and the minerals to create the enamel. But the Tooth Fairy, in an effort to monopolize the 'lost teeth industry' worked out a little 'deal' with the American Dental Association (actually an ancient worldwide shadow society with enough influence and pull to make the Catholic Church look like the Sandstone PTA). The Tooth Fairy is involved in the highly lucrative false teeth industry. Taking kids' teeth, leaving them a pittance, re-setting them in bridges and full sets for adults, and selling them for huge profits. Follow the money...follow the money...
I always knew there was something sinister about him/her/it?
And Jack Frost?
Jack Frost is a 'tool.' He's a stooge for hire for everyone from the oil/coal/gas industries to any corporation (typically insulation & clothing mfrs) with enough money to hire him. NASA, NOAA, the SEC, and the FBI have worked for years to arrest him on conspiracy charges but, again, 'communication breakdown' has prevented the 'alphabet soups' from working together. You'd think they could find him easily enough...International Falls? Embarrass? Anyone? Bueller?...
Dale - this question comes to mind whenever the blog gets particularly weird and interesting. Do you flag your fellow DJs in the Classical realm down the hall -- John Berge, Steve Starek, etc., and say, "You guys have got to read this stuff -- it's amazing!" Or perhaps you just hide your head and hope they don't look at this blog ...
Inquiring minds you know ...
Joanne--great question. Hope Dale is still around to answer.
TGITH--my last question regarding fictional iconic figures for you to analyze--Mike Pengra??
Fictional? None of these guys are fictional... As for Mike, he's the producer of RH. His great-uncle Django always knew he'd hit it big.
TGITH - and the Groundhog??
Uffda, Renee - I hope you were able to salvage at least some of the tulips. Happy Birthday indeed.
We just called the Toyota shop and our year/model is in the clear, THIS time.
Just to prove there are conspiracies, I was just told on facebook that The Pickwick is sold and will likely not be the Pickwick any more but some yuppie-drive plastoid thing. Do any of you norhtern-dwelling Minneostans know about this?
What is The Pickwick?
He's a groundhog. But, of course, he's a very special groundhog. The trick is to find one that's able to communicate clearly with us. Some are actually psychic. (Contrary to what you may see on cable television, it's not the humans that are psychic...it's the animals.) Interestingly, groundhogs line up to try and qualify for the prized 'Punxutawnie Prime' position. It takes months to find a replacement once the previous Prime passes away. Days with a ouija board are needed to make sure that communication is accurate. Apart from the highly visible GH Day, 'Phil' (they each have their own name but we generalize each one to 'Phil') works with the National Park Service to fight poaching, theft, and wanton destruction in our national parks. (This is in contrast to 'raccoon gangs' that act as vigilantes without coordinating with local human authorities.)
That is like asking what is Jax in NE Mpls. It's a restaurant/bar in Duluth right next to the former Fitgers Brewery on the east end of Duluth with great views of Dulutrh, although for the last 25 years over a parking ramp. Dark, with very dark stained wood, cut into many rooms, with alfrsco style paintings on the wall. Seedy chic. The best onion rigns you can imagine.
Clyde - ...WHAT?????!!!!! Did the Wisocki family sell it??? A dark day indeed. Practically the last of the old school 'downtown restaurants' gone. I'd put the Gitchy Gammi Club as the last one now...even though it was more of a 'supper club.' Not trying to shoot the messenger but BOOOO!!!
Clyde - Say it ain't so! I have fond memories from periodic trips to the Pickwick. It does have that "lost in time" sort of charm. Bah.
Joanne - The book club I am a part of has a place we get to in our discussions, more frequently than perhaps is appropriate for a book club, that we simply refer to as "surreal." I think this blog gets there almost daily. :)
Got free of work for a bit and did a check. Public statement is that it's for sale--big losses and a nasty labor issue. From Duluth News Trib. Street story according to facebook friends there is that a buyer has been after it for awhile and has plans. Owner says it will alwasy be the Pickwick.
Surreal? Today? Not even close. How about when we wrote the goat movie for one?
Barbara--where you going? Will you be in contact, I hope.
barb in blackhoof--I have been waiting for you to come back on today. Looking north from Manakto across the blog it is hard to believe your word unattractive. I bet you are like my wife, the most beloved woman I can imagine. She knows the clerks in every store she frequents by name and their personal history. She has the knack for putting everyone immediately at ease and open with her. It is her words and nhow she says them, very few words, her body stance, and her facial expressions. Beauty ias so much more than appearance . . . but I said that in a poem. And people respond to that.
TGITH....Jack Frost is a "TOOL"....LOL...I Love it!
Clyde, I agree with you, Barb has a beauty that shines through her words and deeds, as she describes her caregiving etc...
I am in awe of her.
And what can I say about you? You also shine so brightly when you share your insights with us I am usually speachless, but today I wanted to thank you for sharing such beatiful words about your wife. You are lucky to have one another.
Surreal, Anna, I'd say yes... It's not always going to be writing a goat movie (thank the Lord), but on days when we go WAY off topic on several different tangents, it's kind of like riding an octopus swimming through cyberspace.
So the Pickwick sounds like a place I must go and see before it is no more. WHY must evertything change?
Clyde - we'll be doing a car trip to Georgia and Florida visiting friends and rels, among them the "nephew-son" who lived with us for a couple of years late 80s, AND his 7-year-old. :)
Barbara--very nice. If I could up and move anywhere for awhile, it would be Savanah.
I'm actually hoping for a certain amount of off-putting.
I am a heavy-set gentleman, with a big round head. There is not a lot of hair left, and what I have is mostly gray. All I can think of when I look in the mirror is "Giant Baby".
So, I grow a goatee. It is darker than my head hair, I hope it gives me a slightly more menacing look.
John P. -- sounds like a Fu Man Chu Santa Clause. Also, you sound like one of us.
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