Halloween - is it just me or does any one else object to being held to ransom by gangs of masked teens?

Question

am i just being mean ?

why the hell should i give sweets or money to a bunch of kids acting out a 'tradition' imported from america.

And if i say no my house is egged back to the stone age

am i wrong ???

discuss

Answer 1

Every Halloween I turn all the lights and appliances off, and sit in the dark brooding about how I wasn't allowed to go trick or treating.
I don't answer the door, and I don't move from my spot on the sofa.
I just wait, and brood, getting angrier and angrier.
I'd recommend this approach.

Answer 2

I live in Glasgow and children have dressed up for Hallowe'en for a LONG time. The tradition was always known as "guisin'". Always home-made outfits, moustaches drawn on with the burnt end of a cork etc. Teenagers never did it, kids I think got too "cool" for it before they were teenagers. There has never been any "Trick or Treat" element to it. The children would each sing a song or do some other "party piece" to earn a toffee apple, sweets or nuts. And at least where I live, it's still like this, although with more shop bought outfits. It's the Trick or Treat element that has been imported, NOT the dressing up or anything else. as it is from ancient Celtic tradition. The american pumpkin comes from the Scots/Irish turnip lanterns which were used to carry a burning ember home from the communal fire, to light one in each house. We still make turnip lanterns here.

I think the Trick or Treat element stinks and parents should be supervising their kids on hallowe'en, not encouraging them into vandalism.

Answer 3

I think 12 year olds, it should be their last year. the 13-17 year olds should have a party, or go to a movie dressed up or something equally fun. If they have to take their younger sibling out, thats a different story, might as well give them something for thier trouble! But only if thiers one or two of them. You don't need 5 15yr olds to walk around the block with a 11 year old!!! anyone 18 or older should stay home & pass out candy or go to a party or something!!! They can still dress up, get even more into it. They can even have friends over to help pass out treats!!!

If I see anyone that looks older then 14, I'm telling them their too old & to go buy their own bag!!! ( I say looks older then 14, cause their are some 12 year olds that look older then their age)

I don't mean to sound old, I'm only 22!!! I just know I didn't go out after I was 12, even though I still look young enough & am short enough, that I could probley still pass for 12!!! I also know when I was 15, I had a job. If I had the money I would go buy my own bag of candy (usually twizzlers or starbursts). Don't they feel silly knocking on peoples doors & sometimes haveing people thier own age handing the candy out???

Answer 4

To all those saying 'brighten up' etc...

It's all very well when it's 6/7 year olds, but the darling hooded teenagers are starting to use halloween as an excuse to cause trouble. And yes, it can be intimidating.

It's so close to bonfire night, I'm sure there have been cases of fireworks through letter boxes as well as eggs etc when 'treats' are refused. One family I knew got their house regularly egged for a number of years just for explaining why they don't do halloween.

I don't know how widespread Mischief Night is - the night before Halloween when certain teenagers think it is their right to throw eggs, flour, toilet paper and worse at everything and everyone in their vicinity. It's widespread in Liverpool and very intimidating.

Trick or treating is an American import. If you must celebrate halloween, stick to good old British traditions of turnip carving and bob-apple, I say!

Answer 5

Oh lighten up! It is not only teenagers but also small children who enjoy this harmless fun of dress up and going door to door. Hey you never know who you might meet if you keep your door open. And maybe you will have children some day. Then what? Halloween is mainly a secular holiday for most people and as I said the source of a harmless fun day for many children. I'd say lets encourage children to have harmless kinds of fun...like you say you don't want them egging your house. And now a days with the gangsta culture violent as it is, it may turn out to be a cause of something far worse than an egging. Too many of them are using guns and violence this day. That's why I continue to call for the return of the simple ideas of love and peace...not such a radical idea but unfortunately they still are. You can encourage love and peace by allowing and encouraging children and teens to have fun and enjoy themselves in ways that are harmless. Hey why not dress up and have fun yourself? You'll feel a lot better!

Answer 6

You sound intelligent enough, but don't forget that adults have been in more of similar situations. It doesn't stop when you are of legal age and you will be faced with worse experiences. They are not ganging up on you; they are simply trying to prepare you for things to come, to which being a teenager is not by far a match. Being a teenager won't last forever; your life *will* change and that is simply what they want to make you realise. I'm 23 years old now, hardly a teenager anymore but still young. I was like you now are when I was your age; rebellious and a bit too wise beyond my years. I questioned the motives of the adults "ganging up" on me and not leaving me be, but now... having lived in the real and unprotected world for a few years, I have enough experience to admit that those adults were right to express their attitude towards me. There are a lot of wise lessons to learn from the things adults tell you. So listen to them.

Answer 7

All Hallows eve is an English tradition exported to the states!

They turned it around and made it a wonderful 'holiday.'

In the states its far better organised and its really lovely to see and take part in! People dress up their houses and as Americans are a friendly nation most know their neighbours kids! Theres no egging or flouring. That's the nasty part us Brits invented.

I love Halloween and giving the kids and teens sweets! I dress up too and decorate the house and say 'Happy Halloween' to my trick or treaters!

Loosen up! Its only a few sweets!

Answer 8

Halloween used to be a good night out with a bit of harmless fun.
unfortunately, it has turned out all wrong.

Lots of children nowadays seem to make it an excuse for causing damage to property, and using threats against the public to give them money.

I'm sorry to say, but this is the age we live in.

On a lighter note however, there is still hope. In my area youngsters come round in all sorts of weired costumes, with their parents, and collect money for charity.

With the help of the police, and better parental guidance, lets hope the evil side of Halloween, as you have mentioned, becomes a thing of the past.

Answer 9

You arent being mean, when i was small (im 38 now eek) we used to gouge out turnips and put a candle in them -then come to bob for apples. Now its a begging festival. If you give kids sweets they look like they have been short changed. If you dont open door after 8 (as we do) the house is in danger.

I wonder what the pagan ppl who are celebrating sahmain feel that their religious festival has been hijacked by american clap trap and hoodies given legit reaons to harrass ppl.

Answer 10

Make sure there are no visible lights on from the front of the house, and don't forget to keep any sound down. They don't usually bother to knock on a door if they think there's no one in, if they do then they're probably up to no good and using Halloween as an excuse for something else. Be prepared.

Come to think of it, if they're masked teens, they're probably up to no good anyway. In the area where I live young children are accompanied by adults (parents) and don't usually make a nuisance of themselves.