Why Do People Fear Ski Masks? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-13-2021, 11:30 PM

I don't know if anyone else experienced this, but this from me. I'm bald and with winter approaching I usually wear a ski mask when I go out. I love them as it covers my entire head. In the pre-Covid days I would sometimes have people stop dead in their tracks when I would enter a store or restaurant wearing one.

I once made the mistake of wearing one going into a bank and had some customers scream. I apologized and took it off and said that I was just cold outside. I spoke to one of the security guards about it after I was done with my banking and he said "I don't care if it's a blizzard outside, you don't go into a bank wearing one of those, kid."

There are other facial coverings out there like biker gear, hoodies, scarves, thermal, now the medical mask...

These don't seem to bring on the fear that the ski mask has, however. How come people don't seem to fear these other types of facial coverings? I guess with Covid people wearing face coverings are a lot more common nowadays vs. before.

DJM77 · 11-14-2021, 06:08 PM

People don't typically rob places with those other facial coverings that you speak of. If I was in a bank or a gas station and someone walked in with a ski mask on then I would strongly suspect that they were about to rob the place.

Bonniegirl · 11-14-2021, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I don't know if anyone else experienced this, but this from me. I'm bald and with winter approaching I usually wear a ski mask when I go out. I love them as it covers my entire head. In the pre-Covid days I would sometimes have people stop dead in their tracks when I would enter a store or restaurant wearing one.

I once made the mistake of wearing one going into a bank and had some customers scream. I apologized and took it off and said that I was just cold outside. I spoke to one of the security guards about it after I was done with my banking and he said "I don't care if it's a blizzard outside, you don't go into a bank wearing one of those, kid."

There are other facial coverings out there like biker gear, hoodies, scarves, thermal, now the medical mask...

These don't seem to bring on the fear that the ski mask has, however. How come people don't seem to fear these other types of facial coverings? I guess with Covid people wearing face coverings are a lot more common nowadays vs. before.

I can just picture you at the bank with the ski mask on !

opus · 11-15-2021, 12:04 AM

PhoenixAcres · 11-15-2021, 12:23 AM

Whether it's from movies or real life, people tend to associate them with something less benign than what you're doing. One could argue the validity of this fear but it exists, and clearly on a pretty large scale.

Have you tried a beanie? Combined with a heavy scarf that would basically function the same way but hopefully with less screaming.

RetroGuy2000 · 11-15-2021, 01:51 AM

Funny story, James!

Never walk into a bank wearing a ski mask.
Never walk into a store with a nylon stocking over your head.
Never walk into someone's house holding a butcher knife.
Never walk into a firecracker factory with a lit match.
Never walk into a meeting of the NAACP covered in a white sheet.

These rules will serve you well.

JamesG · 11-15-2021, 04:45 PM

Most real life bank robberies are not like in the movies with a group of masked men storming into a bank. The last thing the robber/s wants to do is to arouse suspicion right away.

A lot of them just wear sunglasses and a hat.

AB · 11-15-2021, 06:34 PM

If I were wearing a ski mask to keep warm, I'd pull it up or off when I entered a building. I wouldn't want to risk a security guard or off duty cop shooting me.

opus · 11-15-2021, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Most real life bank robberies are not like in the movies

Think you may have answered your own question here. Movies and TV have a huge cultural effect.

Bonniegirl · 11-15-2021, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Most real life bank robberies are not like in the movies with a group of masked men storming into a bank. The last thing the robber/s wants to do is to arouse suspicion right away.

A lot of them just wear sunglasses and a hat.

Or a Nixon, Reagan or Obama mask !

Do they really do this ? That is so silly, really obvious !!

Babalu · 11-16-2021, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Most real life bank robberies are not like in the movies with a group of masked men storming into a bank. The last thing the robber/s wants to do is to arouse suspicion right away.

A lot of them just wear sunglasses and a hat.

11-13-2021, 11:30 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,120	Why Do People Fear Ski Masks? I don't know if anyone else experienced this, but this from me. I'm bald and with winter approaching I usually wear a ski mask when I go out. I love them as it covers my entire head. In the pre-Covid days I would sometimes have people stop dead in their tracks when I would enter a store or restaurant wearing one. I once made the mistake of wearing one going into a bank and had some customers scream. I apologized and took it off and said that I was just cold outside. I spoke to one of the security guards about it after I was done with my banking and he said "I don't care if it's a blizzard outside, you don't go into a bank wearing one of those, kid." There are other facial coverings out there like biker gear, hoodies, scarves, thermal, now the medical mask... These don't seem to bring on the fear that the ski mask has, however. How come people don't seem to fear these other types of facial coverings? I guess with Covid people wearing face coverings are a lot more common nowadays vs. before. Attached Images

11-14-2021, 06:08 PM	#2
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,563	People don't typically rob places with those other facial coverings that you speak of. If I was in a bank or a gas station and someone walked in with a ski mask on then I would strongly suspect that they were about to rob the place.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

11-15-2021, 01:51 AM	#6
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Funny story, James! Never walk into a bank wearing a ski mask. Never walk into a store with a nylon stocking over your head. Never walk into someone's house holding a butcher knife. Never walk into a firecracker factory with a lit match. Never walk into a meeting of the NAACP covered in a white sheet. These rules will serve you well.
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11-15-2021, 04:45 PM	#7
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,120	Most real life bank robberies are not like in the movies with a group of masked men storming into a bank. The last thing the robber/s wants to do is to arouse suspicion right away. A lot of them just wear sunglasses and a hat. Attached Images

11-15-2021, 12:04 AM	#4
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,449

11-15-2021, 12:23 AM	#5
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Whether it's from movies or real life, people tend to associate them with something less benign than what you're doing. One could argue the validity of this fear but it exists, and clearly on a pretty large scale. Have you tried a beanie? Combined with a heavy scarf that would basically function the same way but hopefully with less screaming.

11-15-2021, 06:34 PM	#8
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	If I were wearing a ski mask to keep warm, I'd pull it up or off when I entered a building. I wouldn't want to risk a security guard or off duty cop shooting me.