AIBU to think this guy is a Halloween fun sponge?

[Hadjab]

Now, I hate Halloween with a passion, always have always will, so I do the Mumsnetty thing of not opening my door to Trick or Treaters on the night, but some random bloke has decided to create a set of rules and regulations that he (seriously, really seriously) expects people to follow:

With the spooky season upon us: A few people have asked me draw something up to avoid a repeat of last years Halloween. Here are a few ideas I’ve thought of – am welcoming feedback on this consultation

1. Do you really need to buy decorations and toys that are single use plastic
2. No misleading signs in shops and bakeries, pubs and public buildings. “e.g. danger keep out”
3. No flashing lights or loud noises that could be challenging to a persons of additional needs
4. No outfits that are frightening to dogs
5. No trick or treating on main roads, LTN ‘s or other special roads ONLY.
6. Any houses wishing to participate must pre-register (cannot be a house near a dog park).
7. Any snacks must be accompanied by an allergy sheet – it the responsibility of the “candy donor” to check for allergies from a responsible adult
8. Families wishing to trick or treat must pre-register 10 working days in advance and specify their route and times along side details of the fancy dress. For neighbours via this app to lodge any objections.
9. Any decorations deemed inappropriate to be removed promptly upon regular patrol
10. No children under 9

The only point I agree with is no.1 - AIBU in thinking let people live, it's one night?

I don't see what's funny about throwing eggs at windows.

I absolutely love Halloween and I travel to Disney Florida every year to celebrate it properly.

Harrowing issues from last year? Now I definitely need to know more!

What a twat!

And what to dogs care about halloween anyway.

It's very simple on our street and adjoining - you only ring on homes that have decorations out.

I do agree about not getting disposable plastic decor though - I try to only buy wood or paper/cardboard now and reuse any plastic.

It really varies from year to year round our way - sometimes you get loads of kids and others not many. I think DH will be repeating last year's experiment where he clears out the bike shed in the front garden and hides in it with signs around it saying 'beware BEAST' and jumping out at passing kids. Lots of fun last year! I'm sure bloke in OP wouldn't like it. 😜

I’m not sure he’s much cop as an author given the way he’s written that response.

My hypothesis is that he and his two self-important killjoy mates who constitute this ‘community collaboration’ banning under 9’s entirely from Halloween activities will find that THEY are on their own when the vast majority of people just get on with doing what they were going to anyway.

And not caring about the ‘distressing harrowing events’ that ensue.

Anyone else hoping this gets picked up by a daily mail journo? 😁

Was one of the distressing, harrowing events the pub toilet incident? Because that must be the most pathetic thing I’ve ever read - as if anyone would just meekly accept the tape!

I think we can be pretty confident that the pub toilet whinger was part of the very small ‘community’ who want to tell everyone else what to do.

They will have contribute rule 2 in its entirety.

I also need to know what "distressing harrowing issues" from last year has led to these ideas.

Did a 6 year old shout 'boo'?

An under 9 wore a vacuum cleaner costume and terrified the local dogs. They also taunted the poor man by ringing on his doorbell and saying ‘trick or treat’ when he didn’t have a pumpkin outside. Kids walking past MADE NOISE.

So many reactions in rapid succession.

1. This can’t be real
2. Are you just steal boasting about living in Chelsea
3. If it IS real, he’s bonkers.

That is amazingly bonkers 😂 Can’t stop laughing at the lady who had to go home for a piss in case it was genuinely too dangerous in the pub loos 🤣🤣

That would not go down well where I live, the majority of people seem to really go all out decorating. Mostly the elderly , there's a women round the corner from me who must be in her 80s now and she has some of the best decorations.

Another women around the same age makes really nice cakes that she hands out and even those without kids get involved , one guy scared the crap out of me last year dressed as Michael myers , I thought he was a bloody statue until he moved

Obviously some people have no interest but kids tend to stick to houses with decorations or pumpkins and it's all done by 8 o'clock

Oh I think I get the pub toilet

mum went trick or treating with the kids. Ended up with a load of sugar free haribo which she was scoffing when the kids backs were turned. Hence desperate need for toilet but fear someone had beaten her to it and left the place a hazardous zone - hence the tape

and now she wants all treats labelled so she doesn’t make the same mistake again

Oh I’d have fun with this twat by pretending to take him seriously. My response would be along the lines of….

1.) How can I verify the ages of guisers? Should I ask for photo ID? What if they are wearing face paint?

2.) If I choose to register my house what steps has he taken to ensure my personal data is being stored safely in line with GDPR guidelines?

3.) Does he have guidelines re: what the local dogs find scary? What should I do if I spot a guiser breaching these guidelines?

4.) What legal rights do those on patrol have re: removal of Inappropriate decorations?

🤣😭🤣🤣

Message him back and say you agree with the Doggie rules, and can he please give you advice on how to get authorisation for your upcoming dog fight.

What a complete nutjob.

You must keep.us informed if he posts his "Christmas Rules".

Not to give him any ideas but I would suggest:.

1. No inappropriate carols.
2. No decorations that frighten dogs
3. All door wreaths must abide by appropriate standards and morals, if not the patrol will remove them.
4. No lights in windows
5. No lights in trees/bushes
6. No lights attached to houses
7. Basically, no lights.

No outfits that are scary to dogs?
Does he own a Dalmatian and can you acquire a Cruella Deville costume?

4. No outfits that are frightening to dogs 🤣🤣🤣🤣 but what about cats? Will no one think of the cats?! 🤣

I don’t understand the whole “we just don’t answer the door?”

where we live it’s courtesy that you only trick or treat a house with decorations/a pj poking lit outside and you stay away otherwise. I have never heard of anyone knocking on a non decorated house? and I know lots of people that don’t celebrate it.

our village has a Halloween scarecrow competition and you vote for the best one in the village shop when you have walked round the village the day before Halloween

bloody love it

• a PUMPKIN

not a pj poking 😂 - sounds unpleasant

No children under 9? So...Halloween is no longer allowed basically. I'm from the US so maybe I don't understand UK Halloween but everything on the list is what makes Halloween. Esp children under 9. Maybe they should all decide to turn their backs and pretend it's not happening and it will all go away.

Like the original poster I detest Halloween. I fear if this man were my neighbor I would do exactly the opposite of all of the things he was reuiring!

Oh dear. What a buzz kill. I'm in Australia, and the area I live in has an unwritten but always abided by rule: show your willingness to accept trick or treaters by having black and orange balloons/ some Halloween sign on the outside of your property, meaning at the front fence. Take it in when you've had enough for the night.

It works perfectly. What with Covid and terrible cold weather last year, I'm looking forward to the sun-drenched evening (fingers crossed) that is Halloween. I put the dog in the back room, as so much knocking would send him round the twist.

Here all the truly little children are accompanied by parents who hover at the garden gate and arrive at about 5.-6. Increasing lateness = increasing age. I call it a day when it gets dark or the sweets run out.