How Do I Win My Work Costume Contest?

October 28, 2021 12:30 PM

My workplace is having a book character costume contest. I bought an inflatable shark costume on Amazon and found a children's book called Clark the Shark, so I'm ready to go, EXCEPT I don't know what to do after I am in the costume.

I never dress up in costumes or do things that would call attention to me. But I am trying to step out of my comfort zone more, and I'm ready to commit. What can I do to win the contest? I don't want to just stand there in my shark costume. How do I act? What do I do?

Also, I don't REALLY need to win. I just want to have fun and maybe make some people laugh.

posted by JXM368 to Human Relations (24 answers total)

Left Shark dance?

(Also, good for you! I'm coming to work as Good Omens Madame Tracy tomorrow. Have fun!)
posted by humbug at 12:35 PM on October 28, 2021 [6 favorites]

Baby shark has lots of books, and many people would have heard it by now

Books

And the
Video/Song

So sing your little heart out with all the actions!


(And just cause this always make me laugh even thought its ridiculous ridiculous video)
posted by Ftsqg at 12:50 PM on October 28, 2021 [5 favorites]

Yes, please do be "Baby Shark" - walk around singing "doodoodo dooo" and you're good.
posted by nkknkk at 12:54 PM on October 28, 2021 [11 favorites]

I mean, a victory might be hollow if your co-workers harpoon you, but yeah, Baby Shark is it.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:56 PM on October 28, 2021 [4 favorites]

Don't forget Jaws was a book first!
posted by tangosnail at 12:56 PM on October 28, 2021 [6 favorites]

I think to win the costume contest your costume would have to be at least mostly DIY. No one is going to win with a store bought inflatable.
posted by tangosnail at 12:57 PM on October 28, 2021 [1 favorite]

I disagree with tangosnail. Your personality is what will sell it. Sing with gusto. Like the Nationals fans. (youtube)
posted by nkknkk at 1:08 PM on October 28, 2021 [3 favorites]

If anyone you know needs a costume, suggest Sheriff Brody from Jaws, or give somebody a pair of torn-up at the bottom pants, with red paint for blood, have them point at you and act terrified. Carry a small music player, play the Jaws theme, baby shark, etc. Say to people You're gonna need a bigger boat and other lines from Jaws. Watch the Landshark clips from SNL; they were really good, esp. the 1st one.
posted by theora55 at 1:15 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]

Spend a little while carrying around a bag of candy, stop by people's desks and give them a piece of candy while saying "Candygram".
posted by Daily Alice at 2:01 PM on October 28, 2021 [10 favorites]

Um, what does Clark the Shark do? I think that's the question. Fortunately, Chris Pine was there to help me learn this!

I think this could be an awesome costume! You have to match your action plan to the amount of time you'll have.

Clark is about SUUUUUPER enthusiasm, to the point of accidentally breaking things! But he learns that "Sometimes, you have to be cool." So, just notice ANYTHING in your environment -- it really should be other people's costume accessories for best effect, or something boring in the office that nobody really notices, or something in someone's Zoom background -- and express your EXTREME LOVE for that item, what you want to DO with the item that would probably result in breaking or destroying that item (but out of LOVE or enthusiasm), then stop yourself by saying something like, "Wait! Be cool, Clark, be cool. That's the rule! We can play *gently*."

This can be HILARIOUS, especially coming from someone who, like you, is normally reserved.

Just watch for your moment, TAKE those moments (it's GREAT if your initial greeting at the start of a meeting takes 2 minutes instead of 10 seconds, ONE TIME per year), and make the most of them.

Oh, and when people laugh, pause and wait for it to die down before you start speaking again. This is good. It's *supposed* to happen.

AND - you can support OTHER people's costume choices by being SUPER enthusiastic about them :) Just don't take all their attention -- be snappy, make your remark, and move on :)
posted by amtho at 2:01 PM on October 28, 2021 [3 favorites]

I was thinking of carrying a Bluetooth speaker and randomly play the ominous notes from Jaws as you walk by people, and you turn and stare at them as if thinking about eating them.

But you can also randomly switch to Baby Shark and do the dance.
posted by kschang at 2:04 PM on October 28, 2021 [10 favorites]

Periodically lurk behind things in a manner so that the first part of you people see is your fin, before surfacing. Maybe hum a bit of Jaws while you're doing it (or Baby Shark, as ominously as possible.)
posted by eponym at 2:13 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Such great ideas! Thanks so much, everyone!
I think I can play music on my phone inside the costume -- either baby shark or jaws! I love it!
posted by JXM368 at 3:14 PM on October 28, 2021 [3 favorites]

Well, BT speakers will give you more volume. Remember, size of speakers on a phone is limited, esp. if it has to pass through your costume. :)
posted by kschang at 3:24 PM on October 28, 2021 [1 favorite]

Add a jump rope to your outfit and use it. You are jumping, the shark.
posted by daisyace at 3:40 PM on October 28, 2021 [5 favorites]

Offer to lend people money. You are a loan shark.
posted by daisyace at 3:42 PM on October 28, 2021 [3 favorites]

Check your co-workers' IDs. You are a card shark.
posted by daisyace at 3:46 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]

Wear a tank top. You are Shark Tank, or Tank Shark.
posted by amtho at 5:22 PM on October 28, 2021 [4 favorites]

A "Hello, My Name is BRUCE" nametag would be a nice nod to Jaws that your movie-nerdy coworkers will get. Bruce was the collective name of the Shark models/robots used in the filming of Jaws. Spielberg named them after his lawyer, of course.
posted by Sunburnt at 6:13 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]

Make white fabric into a diaper and go as the song Baby Shark. Play it on your phone for anyone who misses the point.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:53 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]

Combine your favorite suggestions to have a crossover of various shark-related pop culture references.

But if you can also come up with a short silly script or dance routine to do when its your turn on the catwalk, that's usually a plus.
posted by Seboshin at 8:17 PM on October 28, 2021

Finding Nemo "fish are friends, not food".
posted by BoscosMom at 9:27 PM on October 28, 2021 [1 favorite]

You should probably bring your own snack.
posted by BoscosMom at 10:30 PM on October 28, 2021

You'll update, I hope, with results. Good luck!
posted by theora55 at 9:22 AM on October 29, 2021 [1 favorite]