masks have always terrified me. even the 'harmless'-looking venetian ones.

Why is that?

I think it's the concealment that comes with it. I like to read people's faces. And face-to-mask contact (as opposed to face-to-face) just creeps me out.

Yes, it is difficult to read someone's eyes when you cant see their facial expression.
Some of these masks would scare the daylights out of me if encountered in a dark hallway or strange place. Then you can add the creepy factor of the personality you cant read behind the mask. Cweepy!