I mean it's one thing to look at someone with a mask on and wrinkle your forehead briefly, and quite another to gawk for ten minutes with your mouth wide open. So, remembering the stories of my grandmother and the man with the ugly stove, I decided to play along with it. I created a costume out of the mask. I attached a nose, buck teeth, and whiskers to the mask, and wear a headband with bunny ears on it. I have definitely noticed a different response.
Some people smile.
Some are shocked, but after they realize that there's a person under the mask, they usually smile, too. Mommy, it's the Easter Bunny. True, making your ugly thing a centerpiece won't completely eliminate negative public reaction. However, doing so will make it easier to handle, and at least you will know exactly why people are reacting the way they are.