Modern Halloween - Whats the point?
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Halloween, is it just another commercial exercise, something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Is it just an excuse for the anti-social behaviour element, to make peoples lives a misery without having to worry about the police taking it seriously? Trick or treat by ten year olds is annoying enough, but 16 year olds with bags full of eggs is hardly in the spirit of things. So vote now, 5 for Halloween should be consigned to the history books. Vote 1 if I'm being the Halloween equivalent of Scrooge. Michael CP Blog [^]
When I grew up as a kid in Australia (40 or so years ago) Halloween was something we knew about simply because the Yanks made movies about it. We certainly didn't celebrate Halloween. Maybe 8 years ago (when I was still in Australia) we started seeing kids fronting up with 'Trick or Treat'. I, being a curmudgeon, always gave the little bastards short shrift. Now, living in the USA, I have to say that it certainly looks like Halloween is a commercial event. When you add to that the rubbish on talk radio about whether Halloween should even be observed on Sunday this year (uh huh, so Halloween has never before fallen on a Sunday????) I find myself very much inclined to say let's ditch it entirely. Oh, and one of the reasons advanced by the Scottsdale and Phoenix police forces for observing Halloween on Sunday was that they didn't have the resources to cope with it if it were observed on Saturday. Ummm, isn't it supposed to be a bunch of annoying kids soliciting lollies door to door? How is it possible, in a sane society, for a bunch of annoying kids to need police protection? Rob Manderson I'm working on a version for Visual Lisp++ My (occasional) blog http://blogs.wdevs.com/ultramaroon/[^]
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When I grew up as a kid in Australia (40 or so years ago) Halloween was something we knew about simply because the Yanks made movies about it. We certainly didn't celebrate Halloween. Maybe 8 years ago (when I was still in Australia) we started seeing kids fronting up with 'Trick or Treat'. I, being a curmudgeon, always gave the little bastards short shrift. Now, living in the USA, I have to say that it certainly looks like Halloween is a commercial event. When you add to that the rubbish on talk radio about whether Halloween should even be observed on Sunday this year (uh huh, so Halloween has never before fallen on a Sunday????) I find myself very much inclined to say let's ditch it entirely. Oh, and one of the reasons advanced by the Scottsdale and Phoenix police forces for observing Halloween on Sunday was that they didn't have the resources to cope with it if it were observed on Saturday. Ummm, isn't it supposed to be a bunch of annoying kids soliciting lollies door to door? How is it possible, in a sane society, for a bunch of annoying kids to need police protection? Rob Manderson I'm working on a version for Visual Lisp++ My (occasional) blog http://blogs.wdevs.com/ultramaroon/[^]
Rob Manderson wrote: How is it possible, in a sane society, for a bunch of annoying kids to need police protection? Who said this world is sane :) ... not the soapbox. It is not the cute little ones in costumes. It's .... not the soapbox. Rob Manderson wrote: I have to say that it certainly looks like Halloween is a commercial event. Everything can be. Ignore the commercialism (i.e. we have a choice in who wins!) I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
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Rob Manderson wrote: How is it possible, in a sane society, for a bunch of annoying kids to need police protection? Who said this world is sane :) ... not the soapbox. It is not the cute little ones in costumes. It's .... not the soapbox. Rob Manderson wrote: I have to say that it certainly looks like Halloween is a commercial event. Everything can be. Ignore the commercialism (i.e. we have a choice in who wins!) I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
Maybe this should move to the soapbox - I'm not sure US society is sane - at least not in the way that I'd define sane... Michael A. Barnhart wrote: we have a choice in who wins! Run this proposition by me in 2 years time when I've become a US citizen :-) Rob Manderson I'm working on a version for Visual Lisp++ My (occasional) blog http://blogs.wdevs.com/ultramaroon/[^]
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Halloween, is it just another commercial exercise, something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Is it just an excuse for the anti-social behaviour element, to make peoples lives a misery without having to worry about the police taking it seriously? Trick or treat by ten year olds is annoying enough, but 16 year olds with bags full of eggs is hardly in the spirit of things. So vote now, 5 for Halloween should be consigned to the history books. Vote 1 if I'm being the Halloween equivalent of Scrooge. Michael CP Blog [^]
Well, at least Bob is in the holiday spirit...nice!!! Steve
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Maybe this should move to the soapbox - I'm not sure US society is sane - at least not in the way that I'd define sane... Michael A. Barnhart wrote: we have a choice in who wins! Run this proposition by me in 2 years time when I've become a US citizen :-) Rob Manderson I'm working on a version for Visual Lisp++ My (occasional) blog http://blogs.wdevs.com/ultramaroon/[^]
The choice in if we allow commercialism to take over the fun things in life. As for sanity. I think that must be taken on a world level. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
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The choice in if we allow commercialism to take over the fun things in life. As for sanity. I think that must be taken on a world level. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
Michael A. Barnhart wrote: The choice in if we allow commercialism to take over the fun things in life Ah, sorry. I think I've been overdosing on talk radio about the forthcoming court cases :) That piece of cynicism about Nov 2 passed over - I think I get where you're coming from. Halloween isn't part of my culture so it's never going to be a 'rally around the flag' issue for me, but on the other hand, it it's part of your culture go for it. Rob Manderson I'm working on a version for Visual Lisp++ My (occasional) blog http://blogs.wdevs.com/ultramaroon/[^]
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Michael A. Barnhart wrote: The choice in if we allow commercialism to take over the fun things in life Ah, sorry. I think I've been overdosing on talk radio about the forthcoming court cases :) That piece of cynicism about Nov 2 passed over - I think I get where you're coming from. Halloween isn't part of my culture so it's never going to be a 'rally around the flag' issue for me, but on the other hand, it it's part of your culture go for it. Rob Manderson I'm working on a version for Visual Lisp++ My (occasional) blog http://blogs.wdevs.com/ultramaroon/[^]
Rob Manderson wrote: Ah, sorry. Understood, no appoliges needed. Ignore Halloween and apply the commercialism to anything. Rob Manderson wrote: I think I've been overdosing on talk radio Yes that I also understand. Just came back from a week in Florida. Egad, I am glad I am not in a "battle ground" state. I am actually glad I was tied up in evening as well as daytime meetings most of the time. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
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Michael P Butler wrote: Trick or treat by ten year olds is annoying enough Yes you are being a Scrooge. Why are they annoying? Were you not allowed to have fun when you were younger at this age? Michael P Butler wrote: 16 year olds with bags full of eggs is hardly in the spirit of things. Correct and as such the evening should not be equated to them. They are just vandals and should get a record to destroy their lives. Michael P Butler wrote: something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Sorry, but I saw lights going up at a mall 3 weeks ago and my wifes place of employment has begun staying open to midnight. The commercial season is here, with or without Halloween. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
Michael A. Barnhart wrote: Why are they annoying? I just hate other peoples kids. :-D Especially those who are left to roam the streets without parental supervision. I have a low tolerance for this kind of 'fun'. Not just for myself, but for those old people who hate this time of year too. Kids today have no respect for their elders. Perhaps its just the out of control little bastards around here who don't take kindly to being told "please go away". Michael CP Blog [^]
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Michael A. Barnhart wrote: Why are they annoying? I just hate other peoples kids. :-D Especially those who are left to roam the streets without parental supervision. I have a low tolerance for this kind of 'fun'. Not just for myself, but for those old people who hate this time of year too. Kids today have no respect for their elders. Perhaps its just the out of control little bastards around here who don't take kindly to being told "please go away". Michael CP Blog [^]
Michael P Butler wrote: I just hate other peoples kids. Especially those who are left to roam the streets without parental supervision. I will assume we have a verbage issue. To me Kid = (4 to 10/12) year olds. And I do not include Teens (13-17) or young adults (18-xxx). I have not seen any unsupervised kids in over 30 years. As for renegade teens, well not in the soapbox. I will say what do we expect from the typical selfish me only attitude I see in most adults. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
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Michael P Butler wrote: I just hate other peoples kids. Especially those who are left to roam the streets without parental supervision. I will assume we have a verbage issue. To me Kid = (4 to 10/12) year olds. And I do not include Teens (13-17) or young adults (18-xxx). I have not seen any unsupervised kids in over 30 years. As for renegade teens, well not in the soapbox. I will say what do we expect from the typical selfish me only attitude I see in most adults. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
Michael A. Barnhart wrote: I have not seen any unsupervised kids in over 30 years. I guess it may be a different culture type of thing. Certainly here in my neck of the woods of Northern England, I see a lot of children without adult supervision - but then again my street has gone to the dogs in the last few years. Michael CP Blog [^]
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Michael A. Barnhart wrote: Why are they annoying? I just hate other peoples kids. :-D Especially those who are left to roam the streets without parental supervision. I have a low tolerance for this kind of 'fun'. Not just for myself, but for those old people who hate this time of year too. Kids today have no respect for their elders. Perhaps its just the out of control little bastards around here who don't take kindly to being told "please go away". Michael CP Blog [^]
I have to agree a little with you. Last night was Trick or treat night around here. I didn't have many visitors, six to be exact, but of these only 2 said "trick or treat". They mainly stood there with open bags. The last kid of the night was especially rude. First they were being driven around from house to house. The kid comes to house, rings the bell about 5 times and then just says "I need to get candy for 3 people". His buddies were to lazy to even get out of the van!! He proceeds to grab a handful of candy out of the bowl, and as I pull it back thinking he was finished, he grabs out for a second handful! I said, "Whoa, kid! You can't just keep grabbing more candy." "But I have 3 people." The other two finally came out of the van. I just said "Good night", and closed the door, dumbfounded. What happened to walking around the neighborhood, saying "Trick or treat" and being polite?? BW The Biggest Loser
"Farm Donkey makes us laugh.
Farm Donkey hauls some ass."
-The Stoves -
Halloween, is it just another commercial exercise, something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Is it just an excuse for the anti-social behaviour element, to make peoples lives a misery without having to worry about the police taking it seriously? Trick or treat by ten year olds is annoying enough, but 16 year olds with bags full of eggs is hardly in the spirit of things. So vote now, 5 for Halloween should be consigned to the history books. Vote 1 if I'm being the Halloween equivalent of Scrooge. Michael CP Blog [^]
It's for the little kids. They get to dress up in costumes, and go door-to-door and get candy. It's fun. The adults enjoy watching the kids. You do remember fun, don't you?
Software Zen:
delete this; -
I have to agree a little with you. Last night was Trick or treat night around here. I didn't have many visitors, six to be exact, but of these only 2 said "trick or treat". They mainly stood there with open bags. The last kid of the night was especially rude. First they were being driven around from house to house. The kid comes to house, rings the bell about 5 times and then just says "I need to get candy for 3 people". His buddies were to lazy to even get out of the van!! He proceeds to grab a handful of candy out of the bowl, and as I pull it back thinking he was finished, he grabs out for a second handful! I said, "Whoa, kid! You can't just keep grabbing more candy." "But I have 3 people." The other two finally came out of the van. I just said "Good night", and closed the door, dumbfounded. What happened to walking around the neighborhood, saying "Trick or treat" and being polite?? BW The Biggest Loser
"Farm Donkey makes us laugh.
Farm Donkey hauls some ass."
-The StovesLast year I was almost threatened with a knife by a fourteen year old and his friends for not giving any candy (I had none to give). I say almost, because for once my just-try-it-prick attitude played in my favour. The police did nothing, even though I was not the only person who reported them and other people had known who they were (names and addresses). If I was faced with your situation I would have shut the door in his face when he first opened his mouth. At least the local maffia are polite when they collect their intimidation money. Maybe it is the minority ruining it for the majority, but then that is always the case.
David Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
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It's for the little kids. They get to dress up in costumes, and go door-to-door and get candy. It's fun. The adults enjoy watching the kids. You do remember fun, don't you?
Software Zen:
delete this;Gary R. Wheeler wrote: You do remember fun, don't you? I understand the fun in dressing up and maybe asking friends and family for candy, but I'm not sure where the fun is on knocking on strangers doors and asking for sweets. Perhaps it plays better in its American roots, but to my English mentality, it comes across as begging or at worse, demanding candy with menaces ;-) But again, its probably the mass commercialization of it, that offends me more. Everything you need for you "holiday celebration" under one roof. Shops must love it. And given our current health warnings about obesity. You don't see shops suggesting giving fruit to the children, no its the big bag of sweets that are on offer under the pumpkin banner. At least in the old days, kids used to make their own costumes and masks. Now at best they turn up mob-handed, with one kid in a cheap plastic mask and at worst, no costume at all - always expecting to be given some treat. When refused, the trick is usually something thrown at your window (stones usually unless they've put some effort into buying some eggs) Michael CP Blog [^]
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Gary R. Wheeler wrote: You do remember fun, don't you? I understand the fun in dressing up and maybe asking friends and family for candy, but I'm not sure where the fun is on knocking on strangers doors and asking for sweets. Perhaps it plays better in its American roots, but to my English mentality, it comes across as begging or at worse, demanding candy with menaces ;-) But again, its probably the mass commercialization of it, that offends me more. Everything you need for you "holiday celebration" under one roof. Shops must love it. And given our current health warnings about obesity. You don't see shops suggesting giving fruit to the children, no its the big bag of sweets that are on offer under the pumpkin banner. At least in the old days, kids used to make their own costumes and masks. Now at best they turn up mob-handed, with one kid in a cheap plastic mask and at worst, no costume at all - always expecting to be given some treat. When refused, the trick is usually something thrown at your window (stones usually unless they've put some effort into buying some eggs) Michael CP Blog [^]
Michael P Butler wrote: When refused, the trick is usually something thrown at your window (stones usually unless they've put some effort into buying some eggs) This year I have a five-foot dog cage to the side of my front door. If anyone tries to vandalise my property their parents' can come and collect them. :|
David Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
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Halloween, is it just another commercial exercise, something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Is it just an excuse for the anti-social behaviour element, to make peoples lives a misery without having to worry about the police taking it seriously? Trick or treat by ten year olds is annoying enough, but 16 year olds with bags full of eggs is hardly in the spirit of things. So vote now, 5 for Halloween should be consigned to the history books. Vote 1 if I'm being the Halloween equivalent of Scrooge. Michael CP Blog [^]
Golly what a buch of childless cynics. :(
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
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Michael A. Barnhart wrote: Why are they annoying? I just hate other peoples kids. :-D Especially those who are left to roam the streets without parental supervision. I have a low tolerance for this kind of 'fun'. Not just for myself, but for those old people who hate this time of year too. Kids today have no respect for their elders. Perhaps its just the out of control little bastards around here who don't take kindly to being told "please go away". Michael CP Blog [^]
Yeah, so following your logic all children should be deprived because you feel inconvenience?
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
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Michael P Butler wrote: When refused, the trick is usually something thrown at your window (stones usually unless they've put some effort into buying some eggs) This year I have a five-foot dog cage to the side of my front door. If anyone tries to vandalise my property their parents' can come and collect them. :|
David Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
:laugh::laugh::laugh:
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
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Halloween, is it just another commercial exercise, something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Is it just an excuse for the anti-social behaviour element, to make peoples lives a misery without having to worry about the police taking it seriously? Trick or treat by ten year olds is annoying enough, but 16 year olds with bags full of eggs is hardly in the spirit of things. So vote now, 5 for Halloween should be consigned to the history books. Vote 1 if I'm being the Halloween equivalent of Scrooge. Michael CP Blog [^]
reading all the comments from people who don't live in the US it's amazing how different your views are from reality here. Halloween mischief is very rare. What Halloween has been here since my childhood was where children get dressed up and go trick or treating (being a kid doing this when I was young was something we looked forward to every year). It's also a chance to get dressed up and have a party. All these calls of commercialism and mischief are rediculous. People don't get presents for Halloween. Maybe the candy makers make some money, but beyond that it has little commercial value. If you were never 6 years old with a bad dracula costume dancing around with excitement as you get ready to go trick or treating, then it's hard for you to trully understand the fun of it.
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Yeah, so following your logic all children should be deprived because you feel inconvenience?
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
Toasty0 wrote: Yeah, so following your logic all children should be deprived because you feel inconvenience? I'm not sure what I'm depriving them of. If you want to celebrate Halloween within your own family and friends, then more power to you. Just don't come knocking on my door asking for handouts. My two nieces visited this morning, dressed in their costumes. I very happily supplied them with treats after they'd done their trick of blowing a toy horn through my letter box. All good fun to them and I don't mind playing along, because they are family. Michael CP Blog [^]