November 01, 2006

Bah

We had two groups of kids; one of three small ones and one of eight older ones. I can't remember when I decided I was too old to go out trick-or-treating, but it was surely no later than my fifteenth birthday. It annoys me a little to see kids that age show up without even a costume. If you're going to participate, then play the game properly.

Posted by Linkmeister at November 1, 2006 02:20 PM | TrackBack
Comments

It's a bit of a Catch-22. The fewer kids there are out trick-or-treating in neighborhoods, the fewer homes bother to have lights on and candy on hand. The high school jerks who prowl for candy because they have nothing better to do don't help any, either. (I wish it was "tradition" to be able to turn the hose on 'em, but in this day and age, I doubt retribution would stop at toilet paper.) But having fewer homes participating makes it less rewarding for families to walk around. When I was a kid, dark homes were the exception. Today, they're the majority.

The last three years we've gone to organized Halloween events -- two malls, one museum. And while they're crowded and chaotic and surely break that "warm, friendly neighborhood" spirit Halloween once engendered, they're ostensibly safer and at least everyone is on the same page.

By the time my kids have kids, I think they'll find the fact that people actually went door to door to be quaint... if not downright ridiculous.

Posted by: Ryan at November 1, 2006 02:58 PM

You live in a kid-friendly neighborhood, too, don't you? Our neighborhood is 40 years old, and a lot of the original owners are still here. There just aren't too many kids who live in this neighborhood; it's too pricey for the "starter" families who typically have munchkins.

My sister and b-in-law live on a street full of people who hold block parties at the drop of a hat, so Hallowe'en was a big deal over there.

Posted by: Linkmeister at November 1, 2006 03:04 PM

You're right, Link. I can see how some neighborhoods would be quiet on Halloween given the lack of little people. But I live in Mililani. I remember the streets used to crawl with kids on Halloween. Times, they are a changing.

Posted by: Ryan at November 1, 2006 10:14 PM

There was an article in the washington post about this (on halloween, or maybe the day before...if my connection wasn't weirdly sluggish I'd check. oh, and if i wasn't lazy ;-)

The gist being something along the lines of them hitting 16 and feeling some primal urge to trick or treat again. or something. maybe it was more nuanced. maybe it even made sense. maybe i shouldn't be rolling around in your comments while i'm still on my first cup of coffee.....

Posted by: skarlet at November 5, 2006 05:31 AM