Attention Mascots (and teams with one)

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I would like to make an observation here. Many of the people I have seen in the costumes are not trained and therefore have little or no experience. They are merely "lent" the mascot costume by their school and a student(s) is asked to volunteer to wear the costume. Consequently, the wearer often doesn't know how to handle movement in crowds and may not know where parts of the costume may make contact with animate or inanimate objects in confined spaces. Pros at theme parks are given extensive training on how to move, interact with patrons and always have a handler whispering in their ear and assisting them as they move through the park. If you think something was inappropriate, please report it. If you don't want a hug, please say "No Thank You" or simply wave as I do.