Have You Ever Worn a Disguise?

@Maggiepie (7816)
United States
March 2, 2011 1:00am CST
I have, a couple of times. The first time I did was in Houston, years 'n years ago. I was waiting for a friend in a rough, unfamiliar neighborhood. It was night, & I had no other clothes or make-up than what I already wore, so instead of trying to come up with such things, I relied on an old trick. Many folks think one must be vastly different-looking, but it's not necessary, & it can be a big mistake, if some prop has a malfunction, or the wig looks artificial. Know what you're doing, & until you do, it's best to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). And never, ever look nervous! I changed my body posture, rearranged my headband, altered my expression to one of vacuity, &, as I have a sort of trick jaw which allows me to reposition it, I did so & "became" buck-toothed & chinless. These were subtle changes, but when fully "in character," I looked like a very homely simpleton, the kind whose actual head shape is awkwardly-formed, & whose movements are affected. I was counting on the fact that most people don't want to look at such people. It makes them uncomfortable, as they feel vaguely guilty for being whole. They don't know how to talk to or react to people who are very slow, mentally. Do you know what I'm talking about? Anyway, people just look away. The person ceases to exist. Problem solved. Another version of that is to look extra-busy & appear to know where you're going & what you're doing. You project confidence & authority. It helps if you're dressed in a forgettable office style, but really, with enough moxie, you could waltz right in to almost any restricted area. The second disguise I took on involved--physically--only a wig. I was very leery of meeting a person whom I didn't really trust, though I didn't know him. I managed to talk him into meeting me at a restaurant, put on the wig, & voila! I was someone else. Not only in looks, but I maintained a constant awareness of my adopted "persona." I can't stress how important that is. Forget for a moment who you're supposed to be, & you blow it. I could've won an Oscar; he never guessed, & sure enough, my precautions kept me from getting into trouble. So, I ask you, have you ever disguised yourself, whether for fun, to be safe, or some other reason? How did you do it? Subtly? Or did you go the whole nine yards--different color hair (or, in the case of bald people--wear a wig), clothes, used an accent, or something else? Share! Share! Maggiepie "A parasite can only feed off the host for so long. Eventually, it will grow too large, & both will die." ~ John Stossel, referring to how out-of-control unions & entitlements have become.
1 person likes this
4 responses
• Pamplona, Spain
2 Mar 11
Hiya MG, Going to include you in the nominations for the Oscars. Not going to go into the Oscars here though. I have never had to do that kind of thing or thought about it like that really. Never in my life would I have done that like that. I can imitate People and do different accents but I always and mostly do these at Home. My Husband is doing the "Voice" right now from "The Exorcist" where whoever it was was saying "Timmy Timmy" you know when they were doing all those Rites. He does this so well I would give him an Oscar for the accent and he is making me laugh a lot too. Of course he is only saying Timmy Timmy bad boy Timmy and that´s it. He does not however look "green" like that awful face in that Film. I just hope he does not say it when somebody knocks at the Door as I don´t want to frighten anyone off. Seems you have a dramatic flair then Maggie do you take part in Plays or Drama or are you like me you save the impersonations for when you are at Home?
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
3 Mar 11
Well, it's too late for the Oscars this year! Next year, though...;o I've always done things no-one else even thinks of doing, or else is afraid to try. I don't sit around thinking, "I need to do something weird, just to be weird," although I've been accused of that. It just comes naturally to me, & even if I wanted to, I couldn't much rein it in! Anyway, deep down, I guess I enjoy my eccentricity, though when I was very young, I was literally "painfully" shy! Yes, I did do a bit of drama in high school, & at some point in my childhood, I considered taking up acting as a career. I'm pretty sure I'd have been very good at it, too, but I had other avenues I wound up pursuing. Shrug. I don't miss it, especially in view of how wacky the acting world is. They make me feel normal! Obviously, though, I don't keep it at home. I only pull it out when I need to use that talent to accomplish something. Maggiepie "The smallest feline is a masterpiece." ~ Leonardo da Vinci
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
2 Mar 11
disguise? Can't think of any... costumes, I've done that a lot, but disguises, unless running around in the dark in a black cape being "scary" is a disguise....
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
3 Mar 11
Well, in your case, it may well be, since you are small, & look so harmless, usually. I suppose you could fool some people...but then, they don't know you as I do! Bwahaha! Maggiepie "The smallest feline is a masterpiece." ~ Leonardo da Vinci
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
5 Mar 11
I go out alot of differnt times so I Walk staright and confendunt also caarry my kys where the pointed end stickes out and would reall gouge some one if I hav eot hit. SOme place here in VEgas one girlalways told me she got mugged on payday I think hse spent itin the sots lol I walked the same streets and bad part of town nd never even had any one say hi! this was at tnight now day tmewe say hi hello what ever
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Mar 11
I wanted to complete my day without talking to anyone. So I put my hair up in a kerchief, wore makeup (which I seldom do) and bought contacts that changed the color of my eyes, then wore clothing that was no where near my style. Someone still recognized me. So I changed my voice and used an accent and told her that she must be mistaken. Then moved on. She looked puzzled and confused. Here I thought my disguise was a good one. Actually, it was for everyone but her. The other thing you have to change is the way you walk. Martial Artists, if we have our glasses off, we often know a person by the way he or she carries him or herself.