Should we discourage trick or treating in Britain?

Question

After all it is an American tradition,not British, what happened to good old duck apple and ghost stories.

Answer 1

Haha, I'm Dutch, we don't have trick or treat here.

Answer 2

What are you planning to do, btw? Write to the media? Organise a petition? It's hard to answer your Q if we don't know what your purpose is.

I'll be a bit blunt with the fact that "it's American and not British" is an EMOTIVE statement. Don't judge me for this, I'm Indonesian and I feel the same way to about the introduction of trick or treating in Indonesia. I don't like it because it's "American" or "foreign", and with all due respect to British and American culture, I don't like the story behind the tradition. I think it has nothing to do with us as Indonesians. But I do admit that I'm making an emotive statement.

If you do plan to take action about this, the first step is to back up your emotive statement with logical facts. I suggest taking a bit of time to research the history of trick or treating and establishing the basis on why you would be for or against trick or treating in Britain. http://www.wikipedia.org is a great place to start: type in keywords like "trick or treat", "halloween", "all hallows eve", "samhain", and "jack o'lantern" to trace down the story behind these traditions. Then take half an hour to sit down with a piece of paper to make a list of the for's and against's. At the end of it, be firm as to whether you're for or against it, and "publish" this finding of yours. Some ways to do that include writing to the media, libraries, schools, and communities, and organising campaigns to discourage trick or treating and encourage the British to go back to the real traditions.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes. As you say it's not a British tradition; ducking for apples and ghost stories round the fire are much better.
This is All Souls' Eve and a time to remember the departed NOT a time for Ghouls and Monsters spawned by the disgusting American cheap horror movie industry over the last thirty years.

Answer 4

I dont like it and would like to see it stopped it is just another Americanism we have adopted, why? i dont know we have some great traditions over here so why do we need to look abroad for more. I agree with little weed it is not generally done in the same spirit in the UK as it is in the states.
In my experience it is usually a group of yobs with a sheet over their heads demanding treats and rejoicing in wrecking gardens with eggs flour etc if they dont get what they want.One year when i politely explained that i didn't have anything for them one of these lads said "dont worry just let us have a quick feel then" it might sound funny but its not when you are a single women.
Maybe a better idea would be to organise events at play groups and primary schools so that only children and parents are involved.
I dont have children but i am sure if i did i would not let them go out begging normally so why would i allow it on this particular day.

Answer 5

In America ,Trick or Treating tends to be a family occassion whereas in Britain it is mostly a green light for all hooligans to throw eggs and flour around people's property and to frighten the daylights out of elderly people. The minority in Britain celebrate Halloween as the custom says, but the vast majority use the evening as an excuse to wreak havoc around the neighbourhoods.It serves no worthwhile purpose and should be banned.

Answer 6

Here in America the Christian groups have already started to take the fun out of it. No more scarey costumes and the kids go to Harvest Festivals instead. No ghost stories either.

Answer 7

my mother thought the same as you angel. i never went trick or treating. i dont think people in here in england celebrate it in the same style as americans. it seems to be a big occasion over there which is fine, shows they make the evening enjoyable for their children.
i dont really think it should be discouraged over here but everywhere really. you never know who's door you are knocking on these days, for example there is a man who lives across the street from me who swears alot and shouts, last year he was shouting very crude abuse to children when they knocked on his door, afterall if they dont live on the same street they have no idea that hes like that.
when my son is old enough to want to go trick or treating ill just let him have a halloween party with his friends with bobbing for apples etc.because the thought of him knocking on anyones door scares the living daylight outta me. i took him last year but only to friend's and families houses ,which was also a bonus because i wasnt in when people knocked on my door lol.

Answer 8

Halloween is a great excuse for a party. I don't like treat or treating though. The shops have taken a stand and don't sell flour or eggs to young people just before Halloween.

Answer 9

Trick or treating teaches children to go begging, but nowadays, courtesy of the paedo danger, sensible parents don't allow their children to go out alone. That way they can't frighten elderly or nervous people by ringing their doorbells after dark, so in a VERY strange way, paedos have done us a (very tiny) favour.
Yes, keep that silly nonsense in America - we've got enough problems of our own !!!

Answer 10

I think US-style paranoia is already creeping in and spoiling it.

It is actually originally a pan-European custom, although at different times of the year, and I'm all in favour of keeping as many of them as we possibly can.

You can still have a party with a lit fireplace and/or candles and nuts and apples and whatever you're having yourself.

Answer 11

It was great fun sitting around the open fire with the lights out telling each other ghost stories, not the same now with gas central heating!