Trick or Treat

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Tonight is the night. I'd like ask people's opinions on this 'custom'. I don't really know how to phrase my query in its entirety, as this seems to be a predominantly American site. In America, T&T seems to be a much-loved seasonal festivity. Many English people see it as an abominable Americanism - and I really don't mean to offend anyone here, that's just a fact.

Personally I hate it. Nothing to do with being American or otherwise, I just hate answering the door to strangers. I will spend the whole evening tense with anxiety, possibly even upstairs with my head under the covers some of the time. I don't find it an endearing activity for the children but an affront to my personal space... How dare they come on to MY property begging for MY things and threatening to cause mess or damage to MY things if I don't join in!

I did manage to avoid the intrusion one year by putting a politely worded sign on my door asking them not to come as the bizarre costumes and masks upset my dog. But last year that failed as the sign was removed by the first 'visitors'.

So what is your opinion on tonight's likely activities wherever you are? I'd also like to know how the custom started if anyone knows.

When I was a kid we'd sit outside looking at the moon and telling ghost or witch stories; but no 'celebration' took place away from home.

It also seems somewhat spurious in the UK as soon we have bonfire night to celebrate instead.

Where I live, if you don't have a jack o'lantern in front of your house an your outside lights are off, that means you're not "open for business".

Personally, I love halloween. The kids love it and I personally like putting on a costume for 1 day a year.

There are some great Jack-o'lanterns here. I especially like the cat ones

http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Hallowee ... terns.html

It's different here in the UK. "Trick or treat" is used by teenage thugs as an excuse to commit assault, arson and criminal damage.

I have to say for me Halloween has always been yet another non event and although it is not nowadays celebrated here (UK) as much as in America it is in fact an English / Welsh tradition.
The tabloids here are keen on telling us how many grannies are terrorised by hoards of kids but as far as I can tell this is at least greatly exaggerated and more probable, untrue.

I know in my local community parties will always have an adult with them.

Yes, that puts me off Halloween here in the UK. I like the lanterns and the little kids dressing up for fun, but some of the older kids are evil. A few years ago on Halloween someone put a lit rocket (firework) through a neighbour's (old lady) letterbox. Luckily it didn't go off, she had a brush type of insulation inside the letter box which put the flame out.

Do kids in the US do this type of thing too, or are they better behaved?

The trick or treating is very American, I think you'll find, though we've added the more unpleasant twist, as befits the social and ethical mire into which we've sunk.


Obviously you've never lived in one of Britain's major urban areas. I can assure you that when a bunch of 6' fifteen year-olds, off their heads on crack, turn up at your door looking for a treat that they're not looking for a few apples but hard cash with the implicit threat that if you don't give it to them then come morning your property (car or house) may have suffered substantial damage.

Such is life in Brown's Britain.

im just going to relax, ive had a stressful last two days and dont need to be answering the door

I never really understood the whole concept of Halloween. First, it's a "holiday" based in fear and deception, why would anyone want to celebrate being scared? Second, it's extremely backward. Parents teach their children not to talk to or take candy from strangers, yet one night a year they send them out to do just that. Costumes are another thing that confuse me. Isn't it enough that people wear metaphorical masks all the time? Why do people feel the need to dress up in outfits no decent person would wear any other day? The only reason I can think of for anyone to celebrate it would be to let go of inhibitions and do whatever without being judged by peers, but even that's a bit of a stretch.

don't like it,mainly because they all set the bell off,bang on the door for ages shouting through the letter box,first time experiencing halloween in this house,and doubt they will even find the door cause the door is hidden and no one who doesn't know it never finds it the first few times,find bonfire night more of a problem though [ie,the noise,at least with halloween the noise isn't as bad].

If you don't want kids to bother you, set the candy in a bowl outside your door. A lot of my neighbors do that.

If you're a parent, remember to check you kids candy before they eat it, that includes looking for holes under the seam and rewrapped candy. There are some real sickos out there ><

Me, I've always loved Halloween. Not the tick or treating, I can get candy anytime, but the dressing up. It puts my imagination to work, sense I don't like to spend money on too many props for the costume.

In my neighborhood in the US, it's not like that at all. It's just groups of kids often with their parents going around only to the houses that are lit up or have decorations on them. The biggest crime among teenagers here on Halloween is probably underage drinking at house parties which doesn't bother me.

more spanking, in public, knickers down and all that

As a pagan, Samhain is important to me as it's a time for celebrating the old year now ending and welcoming the new year about to begin. I'll be working a simple solitary ritual later tonight.

However, I live in the UK and completely agree with Ascan, Starr and Whitbywoof - Hallowe'en over here is an excuse for a great deal of anti-social behaviour and much worse. I never answer the door on Hallowe'en and do strongly feel that trick or treating is indeed 'an abominable Americanism'. It wasn't the custom when I was a child and don't see why it's necessary now.

I regret this custom (in contrast to Valentine's Day which is very popular here) wasn't adopted by the inhabitants of my country (but I don't lose hope one day it will happen). Decorations like pumpkins, witches, black cats and so on are seen everywhere but trick or treat custom doesn't exist, anyway it's too dangerous to roam when it's dark.

Btw, do you know this site? http://homepage.ntlworld.com/curly.johnson/fire.htm The biggest collection of Halloween gifs all over the Web.

Halloween has changed so much over the years. In too many neighborhoods in the U.S., one has to wear a bullet proof vest
under one's costume...and many communities now have curfews to keep the teen population under strict discipline.

If you don't want to be bothered by the trick or treaters...most people just leave the lights off and pretend you are not home.
That way you can still maintain the security of your home and let the kids simply pass by.