Modern Halloween - Whats the point?
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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 [^]
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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.
Allen Anderson wrote: 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 isn't just a US thing, it happens almost everywhere now. Just because the kids in your locality don't cause problems (vanadlism, intimidation, causing distress to the elderly, etc) doesn't mean it doesn't happen elsewhere. Here, it is a big problem every year - I live in an area full of old people who are preyed on by young teenagers to get money and sweets. My next door neighbours are in their late nineties, and today their family is staying with them to answer the door to trick-and-treat'ers. Allen Anderson wrote: Maybe the candy makers make some money, but beyond that it has little commercial value. Walk into just about *any* shop over here (even those that have nothing to do with kids) and you will have to walk past displays of Halloween costumes, fake blood spray, glow in the dark teeth, etc. There is enormous commercial value in, and demand for, these items. Shops are now selling more non-candy Halloween products than they do fireworks for Guy Fawkes Night[^].
David Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
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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 [^]
Michael P Butler wrote: 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. Hmmmm, looks to me like a matter of degrees. I guess I am still an old timer (read:traditionalist) and see my neighborhood as an extension of my family. Maybe I'm not cosmopolitain enough to be insular and view my community as them instead of us. Best, Jerry
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
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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.
Allen Anderson wrote: All these calls of commercialism and mischief are rediculous Every major supermarket I've visited for the last few weeks has had an aisle full of Halloween goods, from plastic masks to full costumes. From specially branded sweets to plastic pumpkin decorations. In the UK, the commercialization is in full swing. I'm surprised to hear, that it is different in the US. As for the "mischief" - maybe that is a cultural thing. It probably does vary from area to area, my street isn't exactly a high-class or even middle class area. Michael CP Blog [^]
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Allen Anderson wrote: All these calls of commercialism and mischief are rediculous Every major supermarket I've visited for the last few weeks has had an aisle full of Halloween goods, from plastic masks to full costumes. From specially branded sweets to plastic pumpkin decorations. In the UK, the commercialization is in full swing. I'm surprised to hear, that it is different in the US. As for the "mischief" - maybe that is a cultural thing. It probably does vary from area to area, my street isn't exactly a high-class or even middle class area. Michael CP Blog [^]
Those same markets are full food too. Have you decieded to stop eating due to the commercialism of it? Best, Jerry
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
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Those same markets are full food too. Have you decieded to stop eating due to the commercialism of it? Best, Jerry
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To. Toasty0.com
Toasty0 wrote: Those same markets are full food too. Have you decieded to stop eating due to the commercialism of it? Actually I have sort of. I'm trying to support more local produce and avoid buying mass-manufactured items. More of a health thing than anything else, trying to avoid the large amount of salt and sugar that is added to most food we buy. I'm afraid I'm turning into a bit of a socialist in my old age. I've grown very cynical about big corporations, especially when it comes to explotation of peoples traditions. Michael CP Blog [^]
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Last 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
David Wulff wrote: I would have shut the door in his face when he first opened his mouth. I'm pretty certain I will in the future. I think I remember you posting your story last year. I can't help but wonder who's raising these little brats. BW The Biggest Loser
"Farm Donkey makes us laugh.
Farm Donkey hauls some ass."
-The Stoves -
Toasty0 wrote: Those same markets are full food too. Have you decieded to stop eating due to the commercialism of it? Actually I have sort of. I'm trying to support more local produce and avoid buying mass-manufactured items. More of a health thing than anything else, trying to avoid the large amount of salt and sugar that is added to most food we buy. I'm afraid I'm turning into a bit of a socialist in my old age. I've grown very cynical about big corporations, especially when it comes to explotation of peoples traditions. Michael CP Blog [^]
In other words, even though you don't feed these evil money hungry corporations, you don't like the fact that other people do. Free will is a good thing only as long as people use it in a way you see fit. Great job there. :rolleyes: Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.
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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 [^]
It has never been a part of my childhood but I think when done in the right spirit it must be good fun for the kids. It is a pity others spoil it for everyone. The commercialisation is something you can simply ignore, much like at Christmas, Valentines or Easter. regards, Paul Watson South Africa Michael Dunn wrote: "except the sod who voted this a 1, NO SOUP FOR YOU" Crikey! ain't life grand?
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Allen Anderson wrote: 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 isn't just a US thing, it happens almost everywhere now. Just because the kids in your locality don't cause problems (vanadlism, intimidation, causing distress to the elderly, etc) doesn't mean it doesn't happen elsewhere. Here, it is a big problem every year - I live in an area full of old people who are preyed on by young teenagers to get money and sweets. My next door neighbours are in their late nineties, and today their family is staying with them to answer the door to trick-and-treat'ers. Allen Anderson wrote: Maybe the candy makers make some money, but beyond that it has little commercial value. Walk into just about *any* shop over here (even those that have nothing to do with kids) and you will have to walk past displays of Halloween costumes, fake blood spray, glow in the dark teeth, etc. There is enormous commercial value in, and demand for, these items. Shops are now selling more non-candy Halloween products than they do fireworks for Guy Fawkes Night[^].
David Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
David Wulff wrote: Halloween isn't just a US thing, it happens almost everywhere now. Just because the kids in your locality don't cause problems (vanadlism, intimidation, causing distress to the elderly, etc) doesn't mean it doesn't happen elsewhere. Here, it is a big problem every year - I live in an area full of old people who are preyed on by young teenagers to get money and sweets. My next door neighbours are in their late nineties, and today their family is staying with them to answer the door to trick-and-treat'ers. Here in the US, if people don't want to participate, they turn off their porch light. If they didn't want to participate then I can't imagine why anyone would force them. There are certain religions that don't believe in Halloween here and nobody bothers them.
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In other words, even though you don't feed these evil money hungry corporations, you don't like the fact that other people do. Free will is a good thing only as long as people use it in a way you see fit. Great job there. :rolleyes: Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.
Tim Smith wrote: In other words, even though you don't feed these evil money hungry corporations, you don't like the fact that other people do. Free will is a good thing only as long as people use it in a way you see fit. The about sums it up. ;-) Of course, I don't really care how other people use their freedoms as long as they don't interfere with my freedoms and beliefs. Michael CP Blog [^]
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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 [^]
Halloween, is it just another commercial exercise, something to keep the shops ticking over till the Christmas season? Don't forget about the collusion the shops have with the dentists! As someone who is too old to trick or treat, I see it as an excuse to buy excessive amounts of candy and fill "the fix". I've already eaten half a bag of jolly rangers, nibs and tootsie rolls, and will be saving the Reese's peanut butter cups for as long as possible tonight, in the hopes that I won't even have to hand them out! Those things are just too tasty. There is another good thing that seems to be happening. I was at a party Friday night, and it seemed like every other woman was dressed ala sleazy nurse, policewoman or witch. You certainly forget all about the standard-ugly wizard of oz witch look after you've seen the avant-garde witch costume.
Pssst. You see that little light on your monitor? That's actually a spy camera, and I'm tracking your every move...
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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: Now, living in the USA, You remain free to move elsewhere...
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David Wulff wrote: Halloween isn't just a US thing, it happens almost everywhere now. Just because the kids in your locality don't cause problems (vanadlism, intimidation, causing distress to the elderly, etc) doesn't mean it doesn't happen elsewhere. Here, it is a big problem every year - I live in an area full of old people who are preyed on by young teenagers to get money and sweets. My next door neighbours are in their late nineties, and today their family is staying with them to answer the door to trick-and-treat'ers. Here in the US, if people don't want to participate, they turn off their porch light. If they didn't want to participate then I can't imagine why anyone would force them. There are certain religions that don't believe in Halloween here and nobody bothers them.
Doesn't work here. :( Just saw the first police car of the night do it's rounds...
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 [^]
Scared of Halloween? For the same reason that no one likes to watch tragedies anymore - there is this dislike of Halloween. Everything must be fun and enjoyable uplifting, and above all well ordered. But the chaos is part of life, and tragedy comes to us all. I think Halloween reminds us of this. Happy Halloween.
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Last 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
Its a pretty benign holiday here in the states. I've never encountered any kind of real vandalism or violence associated with it.
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Allen Anderson wrote: All these calls of commercialism and mischief are rediculous Every major supermarket I've visited for the last few weeks has had an aisle full of Halloween goods, from plastic masks to full costumes. From specially branded sweets to plastic pumpkin decorations. In the UK, the commercialization is in full swing. I'm surprised to hear, that it is different in the US. As for the "mischief" - maybe that is a cultural thing. It probably does vary from area to area, my street isn't exactly a high-class or even middle class area. Michael CP Blog [^]
commercialization - the great evil of our age :rolleyes: