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AIBU?

Teenagers trick or treating?

60 replies

Lifeisshort123 · 31/10/2016 19:17

AIBU to think that it's rude for 12-16yr olds to be going trick or treating with groups friends and no younger children?
I've just has two 14/15yr old boys knock on my door and obviously it could be worse as they knocked at 7:10. However, they both arrived ringing my door bell over and over and left with the sweets without even saying thank you. My DD (now 14) hasn't been trick or treating since she was 10. Am I being unreasonable to think that 14/15yr olds shouldn't go as they weren't dressed up and clearly were there just for the sweets.

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saoirse31 · 31/10/2016 19:19

So don't give the sweets if u don't want to. Personally I commend their initiative

5moreminutes · 31/10/2016 19:21

There are lots of points in your OP - surely the things that are unreasonable are ringing the doorbell repeatedly, not dressing up and not saying thank you?

I don't see why teens shouldn't trick or treat as long as they dress up properly and are respectful and polite.

Equally 6 year olds who are not dressed up would be unreasonable to ring the doorbell repeatedly wearing everyday clothes and ask for sweets, then leave without saying thank you.

I think you are U because you have muddled separate issues together and presented them as a package.

You are not BU about expecting trick or treaters to dress up and behave politely though.

HappyHeart87 · 31/10/2016 19:25

I gave some Maoams earlier to a couple of strapping dudes in black hoodies and Anonymous masks. They were good natured when I teased them saying they were too old, and they said thanks for the sweets. There's worse things they could be doing.

GingerIvy · 31/10/2016 19:27

As long as they're polite and not causing any problems, I don't have any problem with it.

insancerre · 31/10/2016 19:27

Teenagers can't win
Why the rush for them to grow up?

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 31/10/2016 19:28

no problems with anyone who is polite and friendly, whatever the age

TaterTots · 31/10/2016 19:29

Am I being unreasonable to think that 14/15yr olds shouldn't go as they weren't dressed up and clearly were there just for the sweets

They were hoping for cash, not sweets.

TeenAndTween · 31/10/2016 19:29

The 6 13-15yos who rang at 5pm before our lights were on were sent away and told to come back later. They returned at 6:30 and got sweets then.

No way would I give sweets to anyone not dressed up though!

usual · 31/10/2016 19:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

antimatter · 31/10/2016 19:30

My dd went trick or treating last when she was 16.
They wanted to have chat with her girlfriends and an excuse to dress up as they weren't going to any party.

BarbarianMum · 31/10/2016 19:32

Quite a few teens called here this evening. Seen some really creative costumes/make up. I think it is quite sweet that they'll go to all that trouble for a lolly.

Bombaybunty · 31/10/2016 19:36

My 14 yr old DS is out trick or treating now, with his friends. They're dressed up.
I don't have a problem with it. I did suggest he shouldn't take a base ball bat though.

SauvignonBlanche · 31/10/2016 19:38

I've just had 3 teenage boys with hoodies and Scream masks on. They were perfectly polite, said 'thank you' and one took a satsuma! I don't see the problem.

Bruce02 · 31/10/2016 19:38

Why can't teenagers do it?

I don't see the issue and the older ones here have been the ones home made costumes. Some have gone to serious effort. We have just had the suicide squad turn up. All girls about 14. We chatted to them and the girl who was the joker had done a her own make up (Heather ledger joker) she looked amazing.

I really think there are worse things kids could be doing.

BratFarrarsPony · 31/10/2016 19:39

" I did suggest he shouldn't take a base ball bat though."

hahhahahahaha - honestly teenagers cannot win, especially boys. Just give them some Haribo and they will be delighted. my teens are already nostalgic for the sweetie days.

paxillin · 31/10/2016 19:42

At least their poor parents don't have to stand behind them, freezing and embarrassed.

griffinsss · 31/10/2016 19:50

I believe it's fairly normal to go trick or treating in the first year of secondary school (so 11/12) and probably the year after that too (12/13) as they want to be doing something on Halloween but a parental supervised party isn't exactly desirable!

My DN (niece in my custody) is 12 and having a spooky movie marathon with her friends (boys and girls) tonight in my TV room while the DDs and I are in my bedroom or the kitchen. She thinks she's SO lucky to be allowed this as the idea of wandering around in the cold disgusts her (and me!).

I think 16 is a bit ridiculous though!

MsJamieFraser · 31/10/2016 19:55

I think it depends on the kids, I know 11-12 year old boys who look way much older than they are, my 7 year old looks like a 11 year old, he's massive and in 11-12 year old clothes but thankfully he still has his baby face.

I think it's quite sweet actually all the teenagers around here have been like any other kid, be that a baby in a pushchair to a teenager, every single one say thank you and love our scary man.

Bluebolt · 31/10/2016 19:58

It's the large groups, I was and a few neighbours wiped out of sweets by 7pm with teenagers and their friends knocking in groups of 10 plus. Not even sure if any lived in the road.

Marylou2 · 31/10/2016 19:58

All the little ones have been near me. I seriously need some teenagers to turn up soon and take the rest of the treats or I'll be 5lbs heavier by Friday.

SheldonCRules · 31/10/2016 20:00

Few here, all in costumes and just out for a nice night and a few treats. Plenty of time to be grown up once they turn adults.

SauvignonBlanche · 31/10/2016 20:01

Just had some very glam teenage girls round, their makeup was amazing!

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DailyMaui · 31/10/2016 20:02

My 13 year old was out with his mates and I've just traipsed round with my 11 year old who looks 14.

(My costume won...😎)

Wiifitmama · 31/10/2016 20:04

My 15 year old came out tonight with us. It was two Mums, and 6 kids all together, most aged 4-9 but my 12 and 15 year old as well (one of the littler ones was mine too). Anyway, he was dressed as a pic man character in a giant red onsie, funny hat, holding a giant red blown up apple. In other words, totally part of the fun and dressed for it! He always went up to the doors as part of the wider (younger) group. However, sadly, many people commented to him that he was too old to be trick or treating. He does look older than he is, but I think it was unfair. We were in an area where people all decorate and close off the road for trick or treaters, etc. So everyone totally into it. It seems sad that he was made to feel out of place.

Eevee77 · 31/10/2016 20:48

Up to 13 I think it's fine. But at 16?

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