I do wish British people would stop co-opting US customs, ignore the etiquette that goes with them and then start complaining when it turns out badly. Trick or treaters in the US usually only go to doors with lit porch lights so they know the people living there want to give candy, and I have never heard of tricks being done in the US. I have in the UK though.
Absolutely. Here if you turn out your porch light, people don't knock on your door, and no one really plays tricks, either, or if they do they're few and far between.
I see baby shower threads with people droning on about greedy, grabby, Americans yet American baby showers are only supposed to be thrown by friends, never the mother to be or family members, and only for first children. British mothers throw their own baby shower for their third child in a row and somehow its people in the US who are rude and grabby? I don't think so.
Yes, an expectant mother throwing herself a shower is a huge faux pas here, and the only time it's permissible for a 2nd, 3rd, etc. child is if there's a huge age gap between the children.
Hate Halloween and baby showers all you like, but don't blame us for kids knocking on your doors when you don't want to participate or mothers throwing themselves baby showers - those are your traditions, not ours.