Why are people bothered about Halloween being American?

[OgwdihwO]

I often hear both on here and irl that Halloween, trick or treating in particular is so American therefore we don’t participate.

Why is it an issue that it’s American?

There are many traditions that are not British! Do these people only celebrate British traditions? Or are they hypocritically getting drunk on Burns Night or celebrating Easter/Christmas (Jesus wasn’t British after all)

As a small child in Belfast in the 70s, I dressed up in sheet as a ghost or in a bin bag as a witch. Bakeries sold apple tart with a ring and a silver coin in and we made home made toffee apples. A turnip lantern was shared between the six children (Dad refused to hollow out more than one). My mother forbade us from knocking on neighbours’ doors but we did anyway along with all the other children in the street as soon as it got dark. We sang a little ditty “Halloween’s coming round. The goose is getting fat. Will you please put a penny in the old man’s hat? If you haven’t got a penny, a piece of bread will do. If you haven’t got a piece of bread, God bless you.” In return we’d be given a handful of monkey nuts or an apple. It was a lovely, family party night.

I much prefer the American version of Halloween, in the various areas where I've experienced it.

People who don't want anyone knocking on their door just don't put a pumpkin outside the door - no one knocks.

People who do want people knocking on their door have fun - they might decorate their garden, dress up, come up with things that are fun for the trick or treaters to do. On my street, at least two houses have a table with microphone and speakers, and they encourage kids to sing or perform to get their treat.

No one's house gets egged, no one feels unsafe. Everyone who wants to be involved has fun. People use it as an opportunity to catch up with others in the neighbourhood, and have some fun.

If you don't want to take part, that's respected.

It's funny how the UK has adopted the overly commercialised bits of it, but not the fun, community bits of it.

But then, generally speaking, the UK seems to take the worst bits of American traditions, while ignoring the best bits. Then they blame Americans for everything they don't like, in a totally non-ironic way.

It's funny to watch it happen every year.