Trick or Treat

[DavidUK]

Is 'Trick or Treat' a harmless bit of fun or an American custom that they should have kept to themselves?

[rja211077]

the latter, without a doubt. it's one of the worst customs i can think of.

[Metaphysical]

I think it's a bit of both. I was in the US for a few years when I was a nipper. I really enjoyed getting dressed up as a monster and going round 'Trick or Treating'. I used to get loads of sweets! It has never really taken off in the UK, and a lot of people I know find it annoying (to many people playing Tricks!). It's a shame really as it is could be a lot of fun (mostly for kids).

[5029]

Its basically door to door begging, especially now that most of them don't even dress up or sing any more. You open the door to kids in ordinary clothes and they ask for money! Thats it

[andy hughes]

As others have advised, i think the concept of the pastime has got lost during its Tranatlantic journey, and finished up as demanding money with mennaces! A lot of rural American communities can enjoy the TOT time of year - crime is know, and communities know each other well, and play along with sweets for local children. Unfortunately the UK has not embraced the fun element, and it does tend to annoy people, rather against the spirit of the original idea. I tend to think we should abandon this notion, and while we're there, can we do away with fireworks from mid-September until mid-march as well? Thanks.

[straz]

Trick or Treat seems to be taking over from our own traditions. When I was a young lad in Yorkshire (please start humming to Hovis tune to yourselves now) we used to have Mischief Night on Nov 4th, the idea was you played tricks on all the miserable old gits that had kept your football when it had gone into their garden etc.... In reality it meant going off and trying to burn down the rival gangs bon fire while they were off trying to burn yours down. And Penny for the Guy, I can't remember the last time any kids came around. Was Mischief Night just a Yorkshire thing? It seems to be only people who grew up in Yorkshire who have ever heard of it.

[cupra]

As somebody said on the radio today - we spend 99.9% of the year impressing upon kids not to talk to strangers, then encourage them to do just that (often with no supervision).

[Wispy68]

I now wish they'd kept it to themselves, but in our early teens, it came in quite handy for getting fag and chocolate money!

[honkytonkman]

Well I bought loads of packets of sweets for trick or treaters and only one turned up. And that was because I called out to one of the toddler's chaperones. I have no objection to littl'uns dressing up and coming around with their parents, as it is fun and is a little adventure for them. But I do object to 16 year olds knocking the door and then moaning as they walk away disappointed that they only get sweets!

[PaulYukochan]

CAn anyone think of any ways to really scare trick or treating kids?? I always thought turning off all the lights, leaving the front door open with a pentagram of candles on the floor in the hall, with the music from the omen playing in the background...

[Wispy68]

Or maybe just put a sign on the door with, ''SWEETS, BUT NOT MONEY!'' They'll run a mile! By the way, I overheard (or should I say, was being nosey) a conversation in a shop this morning, and one woman was saying that she answered the door to Trick or Treaters last night, who were not dressed up or made up, but still came out with chocolates for them, and was 'thanked' with an, ''Oh, haven't you got any money then?'' Talk about asking for a clip 'round the ear'ole!!

[yankeepeg]

Hey, please don't blame us Americans because Trick or Treat is screwed up where you live! I took my 5-year old daughter out last night to trick or treat. NOBODY gives money. They kids are always costumed, they say trick or treat, and most of them say "thank you" when they get the candy. Nobody complains about yucky candy (you can always trade it away at school), demands money, plays any "tricks" (that happens on Devils' Night - October 30th) or is rude. It was lots of fun. The cut-off is usually about 12 or 13 years old. If someone comes around with no costume, people usually refuse to give them anything. If they appear to be too old, people just ask them, "Aren't you a little OLD for trick or treat?" It's lots of fun for little kids over here. My daughter got 4 pounds (8.8 kilos) of candy in about an hour! Luckily, Mom & Dad will take some of it off her hands!

[parkhead]

It is just door to door begging but I still took my small child who was looking superb as a vampire and had a marvellous time. Let the kids have some fun, at least while they are busy begging door to door and "egging " your windows they aren't nicking your car !

[DavidUK]

We just don't answer the door but last Thursday I discovered that one of the little shits had left a broken egg on the bonnet of my wife's car! This whole "Trick or Treat" thing seems to be a perfect excuse for yobs to go around terrorising people. I really like PaulYukochan's idea, though.