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AIBU?

I don't think I am, but I bloody hate trick or treat.

33 replies

IMissGrannyW · 27/10/2016 23:38

Sure I'll be flamed, but here goes....

When I was the equivalent of Yr 6 back in the late 1970s, teacher read us a story ("The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tyler". I recommend this for your children, it's great!) which led me on to read (by the same author) Gowie Corbie Plays Chicken. In which book, an American girl comes to the UK and introduces Trick or Treat. (which they mis-hear, and think is trickle treat)

That was my first introduction to it. I think my Dsis did it with a friend in the early 80s. Most people were mystified and alarmed.

FF to me having a DD. VERY pfb. NEVER gave her sugar. Warned against strangers. Tried to teach not to be grabby or greedy.
Why then should on one night a year that ALL go out the window and she harrass strangers for foods I don't want her to eat?????

I do have ONE exception to this (and for which if this is your experience, I understand the 's that'll no doubt come my way).... One year we went out with a friend, in a very small area, where everyone knew everyone, and they ONLY knocked at houses with a light on, and everyone who was knocked at was pleased to give a 'treat'. That was really sweet. The kids enjoyed the dressing up, and didn't want to knock on any doors which didn't have a pumpkin/light.

But generally, I think this is horrible, and goes against everything we teach our kids on every other day of the year, and isn't 'our' tradition in the first place!

Throw those biscuits at me for being a kill-joy! (I do have sweets in already in preparation. I promise I won't rant at children on Monday!)

OP posts:

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Lorelei76 · 27/10/2016 23:42

I hate it too
I don't have kids but if I did I'd not take them

WorraLiberty · 27/10/2016 23:45

Look, if you get any biscuits thrown at you at all it will only be because you've probably started around about the 10th thread, saying roughly the same thing.

On the whole, the vast majority of Mumsnetters only take their kids to houses that are clearly willing to participate.

BakeOffBiscuits · 27/10/2016 23:46

I spent my teenage years in Scotland, in the 70s and it was very much tradition there. We all dressed up and only went to houses which a light on. We also had to do a "party piece" so singing a song or telling a joke. I was really shocked when I came down to England and people just stand there and say "Trock or Teeat". Yes that's cheeky!

BakeOffBiscuits · 27/10/2016 23:47

Please excuse typos! I'm eating oatcakes and typing!

WorraLiberty · 27/10/2016 23:47

The only thing that confuses me is all the Mumsnetters who hoik their judgey pants, but still participate.

I don't like horse riding

Therefore I don't ride horses.

WorraLiberty · 27/10/2016 23:48

I was really shocked when I came down to England and people just stand there and say "Trock or Teeat".

Did someone wire their jaws together??

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 27/10/2016 23:49

In fairness, the lovely night you describe where you went only to houses with a light on or decorated, and everyone was happy to give a treat, is how I know Halloween to be. I've made treat bags up for the children, really decorated my house, my DD's are more excited for potential classmates to knock on the door than they are to go out themselves :)

Wolfiefan · 27/10/2016 23:50

I don't like it. We don't do it.

BakeOffBiscuits · 27/10/2016 23:51

Maybe they were ventriloquists.

MitzyLeFrouf · 27/10/2016 23:52

Such a novel subject for a thread........

Haudyerwheesht · 27/10/2016 23:53

I was born in the 80s and guising was always a thing. I've read a few threads like this already - why do you care?

I don't teach my kids to be scared of strangers and I allow them sugar and I take them guising and we all LOVE it.

It doesn't mean they mainline sherbet and run off with anyone they meet all year round!

MitzyLeFrouf · 27/10/2016 23:54

I suppose 'harass people for food' makes a very slight change from the usual 'it's just begging'

Haudyerwheesht · 27/10/2016 23:55

Oh and my kids don't harass anyone except me . We go to decorated houses in our very local area, the kids tell a joke or sing a song and get rewarded with a sweet. End of. Nothing too traumatising.

WorraLiberty · 27/10/2016 23:57

Come Tuesday we'll be over run with, "Why do parents think it's ok to lie to their DC about Father Christmas?"

Haudyerwheesht · 27/10/2016 23:58

Wtf worra what do you mean?

DramaInPyjamas · 27/10/2016 23:58

This is from Wiki

" In North America, trick-or-treating has been a Halloween tradition since the late 1920s. In Britain and Ireland, the tradition of going house-to-house collecting food at Halloween goes back at least as far as the 16th century, as had the tradition of people wearing costumes at Halloween. "

How exactly is it not 'our' tradition?

bumblefeline · 27/10/2016 23:59

I hate it too. But my children love it so we have to go

WorraLiberty · 28/10/2016 00:05

Haudyerwheesht it's the same every year.

"How can you raise your kids to tell the truth, but lie to them about Father Christmas?"

Throw in a tiny amount of posts from people with no posting history, about how emotionally damaged they were when they found out the guy in the red suit wasn't real, and that's pretty much how the bun fights start

mawbroon · 28/10/2016 00:05

You're right. Just saying Trick or treat is a bit shite.

But guising, which we've done in Scotland for centuries, is great.

MitzyLeFrouf · 28/10/2016 00:06

Oh the dangers of the Santa Lie! That's one of the worst perennial threads 😥

IMissGrannyW · 28/10/2016 00:06

when I posted, I didn't know there were a gazillion other threads....

OP posts:

Sparklesilverglitter · 28/10/2016 00:08

I don't get these threads.

You don't like Halloween fair enough, put a grumpy sign up saying no trick and treaters and forget about it. do we need a million threads on why do adults like Halloween
AIBU to think it's begging
AIBU to think it's harassing people for food

It's a bit of fun for children, I put out some pumpkins so they know they are welcome to knock. I love seeing the little ones knock on our door here in there fancy dress. I've never been harassed for food on Halloween, the child either smile nicely or make a "scary" noise I pretend the costume is the best one I've seen and hand over sweets

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Haudyerwheesht · 28/10/2016 00:08

worra yes but who isn't real?

Pumpkinpie71 · 28/10/2016 00:11

Really another I hate Halloween thread?

You don't like it Fine but everyone likes different things and a lot of people like to have a bit of fun and enjoy it That ok with you?

It's not begging for food or harassing! My DC got to houses with pumpkins out or that are decorated they certainly never beg for food, they always say thank you when people give them sweets.

WorraLiberty · 28/10/2016 00:11

Haudyerwheesht

I mean the ones in the shopping centres obviously

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