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[OT] Halloween ettiquette
Australia doesn't do Halloween.
Well, didn't. The local kids have cottoned onto the fact that if they put on stupid clothes and knock on people's doors, that some suckers will give them candy. But, by and large, we still don't celebrate Halloween. Thus we were quite unprepared for the knock on the door with 5 young kids (all under 10) with no adult supervisor at 8:45pm last night, doing the "trick or treat" thing. All I could say is "We don't do Halloween, sorry" and shut the door. Since there's alot of folk here who *do* celebrate Halloween, and figuring that its going to become part of the cultural landscape once major retail outlets figure out its another excuse to make more cash, I'd like some Halloween Etiquette advice: If you aren't celebrating Halloween for whatever reason (religious objection? mourning the death of aloved one? ), how do you let the kids know *not* to knock on the door, or do you just have to pretend not to be home? Up to what time can you expect people to knock on your door? Does it go all night? or is there some sort of accepted time after which you shouldn't be disturbed? If you do answer the door and/or don't give them treats, do you really get tricked? What sort of trick is likely to happen? Would an apple been a good substitute for candy (we later realised we had a bag of apples in the fridge)? What do you do if you've run out of goodies? And do you reward *effort* in costuming with a decent wad of candy and not reward stupid costumes (putting a plastic cowboy hat on is *not* good costuming, IMHO) by reducing hte amount of candy? What is the proper amount of candy per brat, err, kid anyway? We didn't know any of the brats, err, kids that knocked on our door. They weren't the kids from our street. How far do kids travel to get their candy, how many houses do they visit, and should they be knocking on complete stranger's doors? And shouldn't an adult be supervising these kids anyway (at 8:45pm)? Yowie, Clueless |
#3
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in article , Yowie at
wrote on 10/31/04 5:07 PM: Australia doesn't do Halloween. Well, didn't. The local kids have cottoned onto the fact that if they put on stupid clothes and knock on people's doors, that some suckers will give them candy. But, by and large, we still don't celebrate Halloween. Thus we were quite unprepared for the knock on the door with 5 young kids (all under 10) with no adult supervisor at 8:45pm last night, doing the "trick or treat" thing. All I could say is "We don't do Halloween, sorry" and shut the door. Since there's alot of folk here who *do* celebrate Halloween, and figuring that its going to become part of the cultural landscape once major retail outlets figure out its another excuse to make more cash, I'd like some Halloween Etiquette advice: Following advice is what I grew up with with modern adjustments: If you aren't celebrating Halloween for whatever reason (religious objection? mourning the death of aloved one? ), how do you let the kids know *not* to knock on the door, or do you just have to pretend not to be home? Kids generally don't approach the house if a porch light is not on. And usually there is a lit pumpkin on the premisis as well. Up to what time can you expect people to knock on your door? Does it go all night? or is there some sort of accepted time after which you shouldn't be disturbed? We just turn the light off and blow out the pumpkin when a) candy runs out or b) it is after 10. If you do answer the door and/or don't give them treats, do you really get tricked? What sort of trick is likely to happen? Never have had a trick played, but in general it used to be egging the house or toilet papering the trees. I think mostly the kids today are just set on candy and wouldn't have a clue what to do if they were rebuffed except move on to greener pastures. Would an apple been a good substitute for candy (we later realised we had a bag of apples in the fridge)? Used to be a good one, but since a rash of razor blades stuck in apples, only factory wrapped candy generally makes it past parental supervision. What do you do if you've run out of goodies? See the above. And do you reward *effort* in costuming with a decent wad of candy and not reward stupid costumes (putting a plastic cowboy hat on is *not* good costuming, IMHO) by reducing hte amount of candy? What is the proper amount of candy per brat, err, kid anyway? We do. Little kids get more candy. Those who are well old enough to be moving on in the world get the "bad" candy (ie. not as desirable ie. NOT THE CHOCOLATE). Unfair life may be, but we tend to be more generous to those little ones that seem super excited and cute as hell about it. If older brother or sister are doing chaperone duty taking the wee ones around, there is usally extra booty tossed in for such vigilance and extraction of promise from little kid to share. General rule of thumb three of something (depending on on hand supply and number of treaters going around) for the really derserving. We didn't know any of the brats, err, kids that knocked on our door. They weren't the kids from our street. How far do kids travel to get their candy, how many houses do they visit, and should they be knocking on complete stranger's doors? Some people drive their kids around, but that was often because in my neck of the woods it's often freezing or even snowing. I've never much cared for Halloween. I still remember being thrilled though one Halloween when I seemed to be scoring the "good" stuff (ie wrapped mini candy bars) by the score. It was very snowy out though and in the dark, three houses from home I tripped and spilled ALL my candy and couldn't find most of it in the snow. That really was an unfair turn of events if you ask me. Because of the inherent dangers of modern whackos in this world (news stories featuring poisoned candy etc.) a lot of people now go to planned events with people they know and trust or around to relatives and friends only. Grocery stores seem to do a lot of stuff for Halloween giving people an option as well. It's not nearly the volume any more of door to door treating as there used to be because of this. Smaller towns most likely have more. And shouldn't an adult be supervising these kids anyway (at 8:45pm)? There is *usually* one lurking in the background if the kids are under 10. (see car referenced) or an elder sibbling (see reference above in "amount of booty). It's pretty foolish if they don't. Yowie, Clueless |
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in article , Yowie at
wrote on 10/31/04 5:07 PM: Australia doesn't do Halloween. Well, didn't. The local kids have cottoned onto the fact that if they put on stupid clothes and knock on people's doors, that some suckers will give them candy. But, by and large, we still don't celebrate Halloween. Thus we were quite unprepared for the knock on the door with 5 young kids (all under 10) with no adult supervisor at 8:45pm last night, doing the "trick or treat" thing. All I could say is "We don't do Halloween, sorry" and shut the door. Since there's alot of folk here who *do* celebrate Halloween, and figuring that its going to become part of the cultural landscape once major retail outlets figure out its another excuse to make more cash, I'd like some Halloween Etiquette advice: Following advice is what I grew up with with modern adjustments: If you aren't celebrating Halloween for whatever reason (religious objection? mourning the death of aloved one? ), how do you let the kids know *not* to knock on the door, or do you just have to pretend not to be home? Kids generally don't approach the house if a porch light is not on. And usually there is a lit pumpkin on the premisis as well. Up to what time can you expect people to knock on your door? Does it go all night? or is there some sort of accepted time after which you shouldn't be disturbed? We just turn the light off and blow out the pumpkin when a) candy runs out or b) it is after 10. If you do answer the door and/or don't give them treats, do you really get tricked? What sort of trick is likely to happen? Never have had a trick played, but in general it used to be egging the house or toilet papering the trees. I think mostly the kids today are just set on candy and wouldn't have a clue what to do if they were rebuffed except move on to greener pastures. Would an apple been a good substitute for candy (we later realised we had a bag of apples in the fridge)? Used to be a good one, but since a rash of razor blades stuck in apples, only factory wrapped candy generally makes it past parental supervision. What do you do if you've run out of goodies? See the above. And do you reward *effort* in costuming with a decent wad of candy and not reward stupid costumes (putting a plastic cowboy hat on is *not* good costuming, IMHO) by reducing hte amount of candy? What is the proper amount of candy per brat, err, kid anyway? We do. Little kids get more candy. Those who are well old enough to be moving on in the world get the "bad" candy (ie. not as desirable ie. NOT THE CHOCOLATE). Unfair life may be, but we tend to be more generous to those little ones that seem super excited and cute as hell about it. If older brother or sister are doing chaperone duty taking the wee ones around, there is usally extra booty tossed in for such vigilance and extraction of promise from little kid to share. General rule of thumb three of something (depending on on hand supply and number of treaters going around) for the really derserving. We didn't know any of the brats, err, kids that knocked on our door. They weren't the kids from our street. How far do kids travel to get their candy, how many houses do they visit, and should they be knocking on complete stranger's doors? Some people drive their kids around, but that was often because in my neck of the woods it's often freezing or even snowing. I've never much cared for Halloween. I still remember being thrilled though one Halloween when I seemed to be scoring the "good" stuff (ie wrapped mini candy bars) by the score. It was very snowy out though and in the dark, three houses from home I tripped and spilled ALL my candy and couldn't find most of it in the snow. That really was an unfair turn of events if you ask me. Because of the inherent dangers of modern whackos in this world (news stories featuring poisoned candy etc.) a lot of people now go to planned events with people they know and trust or around to relatives and friends only. Grocery stores seem to do a lot of stuff for Halloween giving people an option as well. It's not nearly the volume any more of door to door treating as there used to be because of this. Smaller towns most likely have more. And shouldn't an adult be supervising these kids anyway (at 8:45pm)? There is *usually* one lurking in the background if the kids are under 10. (see car referenced) or an elder sibbling (see reference above in "amount of booty). It's pretty foolish if they don't. Yowie, Clueless |
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"Yowie" wrote in message ... Australia doesn't do Halloween. Well, didn't. The local kids have cottoned onto the fact that if they put on stupid clothes and knock on people's doors, that some suckers will give them candy. But, by and large, we still don't celebrate Halloween. Thus we were quite unprepared for the knock on the door with 5 young kids (all under 10) with no adult supervisor at 8:45pm last night, doing the "trick or treat" thing. All I could say is "We don't do Halloween, sorry" and shut the door. That is a bit late in my book. We usually "close up" around eight. Since there's alot of folk here who *do* celebrate Halloween, and figuring that its going to become part of the cultural landscape once major retail outlets figure out its another excuse to make more cash, I'd like some Halloween Etiquette advice: If you aren't celebrating Halloween for whatever reason (religious objection? mourning the death of aloved one? ), how do you let the kids know *not* to knock on the door, or do you just have to pretend not to be home? As a rule if the house doesn't have any outside lights on, you leave it alone. Up to what time can you expect people to knock on your door? Does it go all night? or is there some sort of accepted time after which you shouldn't be disturbed? The little ones are usually around at twilight. Between 5 and 6 pm. Then the kids get older as it gets later. I don't have much patience for kids over 12 or later than 8. If you do answer the door and/or don't give them treats, do you really get tricked? What sort of trick is likely to happen? No tricks around here. And most of the tricks (vandalism for the most part) is unrelated to treats. It kids out to cause trouble. From rubbing soap in windows to smashing jack o lanterns to tossing toilet paper into trees. In the "good old days" they might drop cherry bombs down outhouses or light a paper bag of dog poop on the porch of someone they disliked. Or move the outhouse onto the front porch. Would an apple been a good substitute for candy (we later realised we had a bag of apples in the fridge)? Yes. The kids usually bring home one or two. But if you kids get an apple you need to take a good look at it to be sure it hasn't been tampered with. What do you do if you've run out of goodies? Turn off the outside lights and stop answering the door. Do you reward *effort* in costuming with a decent wad of candy and not reward stupid costumes (putting a plastic cowboy hat on is *not* good costuming, IMHO) by reducing hte amount of candy? What is the proper amount of candy per brat, err, kid anyway? Right now I'm passing out foil wrapped chocolate that looks like gold silver dollars. Cost something like $3 a pound. Each kids gets two or three. CUte little kids get admired and talked to. We didn't know any of the brats, err, kids that knocked on our door. They weren't the kids from our street. How far do kids travel to get their candy, how many houses do they visit, and should they be knocking on complete stranger's doors? Kids will often go to a neighborhood that they perceve will have a better class of treats rather than to where they live. Parents will drive them sometimes. The smaller children usually only do their own neighborhood and the parents will be with them or wait at the curb. |
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Jo Firey wrote:
No tricks around here. And most of the tricks (vandalism for the most part) is unrelated to treats. It kids out to cause trouble. From rubbing soap in windows to smashing jack o lanterns to tossing toilet paper into trees. In the "good old days" they might drop cherry bombs down outhouses or light a paper bag of dog poop on the porch of someone they disliked. Or move the outhouse onto the front porch. One year, my brother and his buddies snuck up to the school principal's house, picked up his car and turned it sideways in his drive-way. It took him a couple of days to get it turned around. Another year, we gathered up all the jack-o-lanterns we could and lined them up facing the principal's office window. He handed out pumpkin cookies for Thanksgiving. We also scared the daylights out of the janitor by hanging a helium filled balloon, covered by a white sheet, just outside the school door. It was dark when he got to work and it was bobbing and swaying in the wind and.... So far harmless, more or less, pranks. I did worse in college. Pam S. |
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Tanada had some very interesting things to say
about [OT] Halloween ettiquette: One year, my brother and his buddies snuck up to the school principal's house, picked up his car and turned it sideways in his drive-way. It took him a couple of days to get it turned around. Now *that's* a clever one. :-) We also scared the daylights out of the janitor by hanging a helium filled balloon, covered by a white sheet, just outside the school door. It was dark when he got to work and it was bobbing and swaying in the wind and.... [giggle] This one's good too. So far harmless, more or less, pranks. I did worse in college. Got stories? :-) -- "The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL |
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Seanette Blaylock wrote:
So far harmless, more or less, pranks. I did worse in college. Got stories? :-) I do, but I might corrupt the little 'uns. I was a lookout for when we stole the bubble lights off a couple of police cars and hung them up in the college clock tower. I also helped place a grave in the middle of the school commons, which caused some consternation, filled a dorm room with balloons and newspaper, piled up a stack of leaves in front of a stairwell (no one got hurt, honest) so that they had to be removed before anyone could go upstairs, helped pull a celebrity into a duck pond, placed computer "chads" in a room mate's bed so that she'd leave me alone, and a few other things I can't recall off hand. I was a little stinker. Pam S. |
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Tanada wrote:
Seanette Blaylock wrote: So far harmless, more or less, pranks. I did worse in college. Got stories? :-) I do, but I might corrupt the little 'uns. I was a lookout for when we stole the bubble lights off a couple of police cars and hung them up in the college clock tower. I also helped place a grave in the middle of the school commons, which caused some consternation, filled a dorm room with balloons and newspaper, piled up a stack of leaves in front of a stairwell (no one got hurt, honest) so that they had to be removed before anyone could go upstairs, helped pull a celebrity into a duck pond, placed computer "chads" in a room mate's bed so that she'd leave me alone, and a few other things I can't recall off hand. I was a little stinker. Pam S. I remember filling a roomate's boyfriend's car with popcorn. Not the packing kind, either, but the dripping with butter kind you buy at the movie theater. This was decades before microwave popcorn, so it took us 2 days to pop it all in the dorm 'kitchenette' area. --? The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)© email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep |
#10
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Tanada wrote:
Seanette Blaylock wrote: So far harmless, more or less, pranks. I did worse in college. Got stories? :-) I do, but I might corrupt the little 'uns. I was a lookout for when we stole the bubble lights off a couple of police cars and hung them up in the college clock tower. I also helped place a grave in the middle of the school commons, which caused some consternation, filled a dorm room with balloons and newspaper, piled up a stack of leaves in front of a stairwell (no one got hurt, honest) so that they had to be removed before anyone could go upstairs, helped pull a celebrity into a duck pond, placed computer "chads" in a room mate's bed so that she'd leave me alone, and a few other things I can't recall off hand. I was a little stinker. Pam S. I remember filling a roomate's boyfriend's car with popcorn. Not the packing kind, either, but the dripping with butter kind you buy at the movie theater. This was decades before microwave popcorn, so it took us 2 days to pop it all in the dorm 'kitchenette' area. --? The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)© email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep |
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