to wonder where people who are too scared to answer the door to trick or treaters have got the idea that they are going to be mugged on their own doorstep?

[GoreRenewed]

I live in a quite gentle little town. It's not perfect and entirely crime-free, but it's not exactly Murder Central either. But I have spoken to several people this weekend who tell me that they won't open their door to trick or treaters because it's too risky. Asking for trouble. But none of them have been assaulted or robbed, and neither did they know people who had been.

DS2 and I walked up our road to see whether there were any potential trick or treatees. We have just moved in and we don't know the drill round here. No pumpkins and lots of 'bugger off TorTer' signs. And shadowy figures hovering in darkened rooms peering out at us presumably to see if we were dangerous It was like the eve of some terrible battle, not some silly festival for kids.

I have no problem with people not wanting to give to trick or treaters, it's entirely up to them and I can see it could be a pita. ANd yes, if you are elderly and frail and living alone, it could seem alarming.

But where did this automatic suspicion of strangers come from? When the evidence of most people's own experience is that strangers aren't scary and dangerous. Particularly when they are 3 ft tall and dressed as a pumpkin .

BoneyBackJefferson I did wonder what clods were:o

Look I have no problem with people who want to trick or treat (to go or give) what i do have a problem is when people expect the right to go trick or treating. And then get upset because other people dont hold the same view. fine you want to celebrate in this way. Respect the people who dont agree with trick or treating.

We celebrate halloween but trick or treat is not part of halloween. Not traditionally (and I am not just talking in the last 100 years, I am talking properly traditionally). Fancy dress cool, sweets and party games no problem. Harassing people who you dont know fuck off. No part of what halloween is about imo.

Tbh honest if there was a school gate agreement to go trick or treating around the kids homes. Yep no problem I might consider it. But unsolicited banging on the doors is just not on.

"Thing is that if everyone else's children are automatically thugs then society becomes massively fractured."

Exactly

But OK, reading this thread, I put my hand up to being lucky then. Lucky to live in a place that's basically OK. I still maintain that the majority of scared people round here are misled and missing out.

I don't want people to give my DC sweets, I want them to be able to knock on the doors of strangers and get a smile and a greeting. On the one night of the year when it's OK to do this. When barriers get broken down.

Go carrol singing then!

'Oh my God my boys have just come in and said a lad was beaten up by a man for egging his house'

I hope the lad thought it was worth it. Some people do not like being egged.

" Harassing people who you dont know fuck off"

"I want them to be able to knock on the doors of strangers and get a smile and a greeting. On the one night of the year when it's OK to do this. When barriers get broken down."

Different approach I guess.

And how is carol singing different?

but you have to accept that not everyone wants to play

Not a beating though. Apparently the guy come running up to my boys with his dog, the guys friend shouted no it was the older ones, and he went tearing after them and smacked one of them up!

I do. As I said in my OP.

Carol singers want money,not sweets [hgrin]

I know people don't like being egged but throwing punches is a bit too far. He could have shit them up just by shouting

Yeah! Grasping bastards. Or figgy pudding. Tsk!

Most of the T&Ts round here are very civilised and polite. Some of them even do a little song, like pagan carol singers.
I'll be out in the morning to see if there has been an egg situation, but I doubt it.
Most of the teens seem to be at parties, dressed as tarty witches or the living dead.

We had 3 teenage girls who appeared to be going for Vamp rather than vampire. But they had some chuppa chups and said thanks!

few bars of we wish you a Merry Christmas ...that will be 50p please

My point was that Halloween is not the only night when they could visit the communiuty and get a smile.

halloween is not the be all and end all of community spirit. In fact i think i think that it is atrotious that things like halloween are the only times you feel you can connect with you community. And if it isnt that is how your post read.

personally we have neighbourhood barbaques and know our community really well. The community is just for halloween or christmas!

My (single) friend went into a local Halloween shop with me, looking for an outfit for an adult's Halloween party. She couldn't find anything that wasn't plus size or slut. ( her words, she's American - I was mortified )

Agree with you there. But it often is the only time.

Depends how far you go back.

and guising isnt trick or treating. my understanding of gusing is that you were expected to show a skill to get your treat. not that you threaten with a trick for not getting a treat.

son has just got in with loads of goodies! good night begging , right little artful dodger in training, does a mother proud