The Big Saturday Debate - Hallowe'en.

[NoMercy]

Should we carry on celebrating this imported tradtion?

Children love it, most grown ups hate it. Surely knocking on doors of elderly people when it's pitch black dark outside, dressed in strange outfits and shouting "trick or treat" is tantamount to anti-social behaviour?

Or would we just be punishing kids by scrapping this tradition?

Let's hear your views....

[Bobbisox]

I suppose the kids like it NM

[NoMercy]

But what if their enjoyment is causing fear and upset to all others?

Even young adults probably don't appreciate answering their doors late at night. What of those that can't afford to dish out money and sweets?

[ummmm]

When I took mine trick and treating I knocked on the neighbours first and gave them the treats. Jackthehat remembers :-)))

[Bobbisox]

probably a little Halloween party would be the answer, I don't go for the 'begging bowl' bit myself

[NoMercy]

That's very considerate and responsible, Ummmm. I would have no problem with trick or treating by prior arrangement, but don't thinks it's fair upon people who have strangers knocking on their doors unexpectedly.

These days, the unaccompanied kids dish out verbal abuse to anyone who refuses reward them.

[pastafreak]

Some may forget that when the tradition evolved in the States-the world was a different place. When I was a teen-we used to get up to 100 kids a year....and my mum opened the door to every one of them with no fear.
Fear is partly in your mind...and in most cases we are only talking of very young children being taken around by their parents. That is not a begging bowl situation...and it is up the parents to educate their kids anyway. It may be an 'imported tradition'....but an awful lot seem to have adopted it....too late to close the barn door now.

[Bobbisox]

morning yankeee, my daughter takes Ben out, I think it's when the older ones knock on the door with an outstretched palm..

[China Doll]

Halloween just makes me glad I live on the 5th floor.

[pastafreak]

Considering how many kids there are in my area-I get very few....and so far no older ones either.
I sometimes think the problem may be a bit exaggerated.

[NoMercy]

Well there's a definite advantage to elevated residences, China! Plus you don't get any dodgy saleman knocking either... :-)

[Bobbisox]

no one does the treat bit ever..lol

[Whickerman]

Halloween is not imported, it's a pre-Christian holy day. Look up Samhain.

[joeluke]

Waste of time, it's a form of begging, just like 'penny for the guy'

[gingejbee]

Just a money-making opportunity for the retail sector.

[Bobbisox]

I agree with you jl, these are normally sat outside of pubs, mind you I do live in Newcastle..lol

[Whickerman]

How is it money making?
Our house will be full of the family tomorrow for traditional Halloween games - apple bobbing and the like and everyone will have a ball, same as every year. Some of us observe the religious side too, even the Christaians will observe All Souls day, the christianized version of Halloween. After that it's what you allow it to be.

[NoMercy]

I should add, I don't have a problem with celebrating Hallowe'en itself, I'm just vehemently opposed to the trick or treating side of things.

[Bobbisox]

hear hear whicker, sounds fun in your house

[joeluke]

^^ Traditional Halloween games?

How exciting

[pastafreak]

True Whickerman...people complain about commercialism-yet they have a choice in how much they 'buy into' something,and the manner in which they celebrate or observe a tradition. The same can be said for Christmas..