Spiders, clowns, and the DSE exam: what are your biggest fears?

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We asked our readers what keeps them on edge and up at night. Here are some of our favourite answers

Charlotte Ames-Ettridge |
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Clowns can be scary. Especially this one.

No creepy crawlies

I have entomophobia, which is a fear of bugs, insects and mites. I simply can’t understand how some people can be okay with letting them crawl about on their bodies. Just thinking about it sends a shiver down my spine. Across the world, insects are becoming resistant to the repellents and chemicals we use to make them go away. What will we insect-haters do then?

Saba Iftkhar, 16, St Margaret’s Girls’ College

Please don't leave me

My biggest fear is losing my family. I don’t think I could bear not being able to hear my dad’s silly jokes, or taste my mum’s home-cooked meals. Luckily, this fear makes me cherish my family all the more.

Annie Yu, 12, Maryknoll Fathers’ School

Honeycombs are scary

I reckon I have trypophobia, which is a fear of closely-packed small holes. I find things like honeycombs disgusting to look at – they make my hair stand on end!

Matthew Lin, 16, Law Ting Pong Secondary School

Siu Keung

It has to be cockroaches! They’re ugly, annoying and they’re everywhere – it doesn’t matter how clean you keep your home, they’ll still invade it. They’re also difficult to catch because they scuttle away. I hate it when they run past my feet!

Kitty Wang, 12, SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School

No Birds, man

I have ornithophobia: a fear of birds. I feel extremely uncomfortable around them, because they look so sinister. I get goosebumps whenever I see a bird. !

Pansy Tsui Pui-sze, 16, Leung Shek Chee College

Not that funny

The thing I fear most is clowns; I was scared by a clown when I was little, and I’ve disliked them ever since. They’re supposed to make people feel happy with their big red smiles, but it just makes them look menacing and unpredictable. Look at the Joker from Batman; he smiles all the time even though he’s a killer.

Matthew So, 12, SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School

They're all staring at me

Public speaking is my biggest fear. Every time I have to speak in front of my classmates, my mind goes blank and I can’t say a single word. I get breathless, and begin to stutter and sweat. I just want someone to rescue me!

Yau Yan-tung, 13, Immaculate Heart of Mary College

More creepy crawlies

My biggest fear is spiders; they’re just horrible. Some people think it’s an irrational fear, but there are some spiders species that can kill you! It seems only sensible to keep a safe distance from all of them.

Chloe Wong Tze-ki, 13, King Ling College

My biggest fear is roller coasters! Some people enjoy the thrill and excitement of going on one, but I get a huge knot in my stomach and feel sick on them. I’m never going on one again!

Joey Ling, 15, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

Tests, tests, tests for everyone!

My biggest fear is the DSE exams! It’s a really big deal because it can determine whether you get into university. I struggle with the subjects quite a lot which makes me scared that I’ll get bad results. But I know I’ll have to face my fear whether I like it or not!

Regina Wong, 16, Leung Shek Chee College

For next week’s Top 10, tell us:

Which celebrities do you wish could be your parents?

Send your answer, together with your name, age and school, to [email protected] with “Top 10: Parents” in the subject field. Our favourite answers will appear in next week’s Top 10 page!

Edited by Ginny Wong

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