Trick or Treat - AIBU

[Doseofreality]

AIBU in believing that it’s an unwritten rule that you do not Trick or Treat houses that have no Halloween decorations up.

We’ve had numerous bangs (and yes they are bangs) on the door over the past hour, and quite frankly, it’s pissing me off!

So what, was the OP talking about Ireland? If so your point stands, if not your point is moot.

Just teach your kids not to knock on doors with no decorations. Easy - they can concentrate on the houses giving out treats and others are not disturbed. It's really that simple. Ridiculous to expect people to sit in the dark in their own homes - geezo.

In our village the unwritten rule is you only knock if there are lit pumpkins. When our sweets run out I take the lights out of the pumpkins and nobody knocks then.

@Demonhunter No, americans don't have a monopoly on energy and celebrations. Hallowe'en is only a thing in the U.S. because immigrants from the UK took it over there. Hallowe'en was a huge thing during my childhood in Scotland. Several Hallowe'en parties in the week leading up to the main event, and then on the night of 31st, streets thronged with guisers and houses had constant streams of children. The whole thing lasted hours from when darkness fell until around 9pm. People were generous, both with their time and money and gave over much of their evening to it. They stocked up on nuts, apples, tangerines, all kinds of confectionery, and 10p coins for when they ran out. Some baked cakes or made toffee apples or tablet. And Hallowe'en has its roots in ancient times, long before the U.S. existed.

Rule in the US is that if the porch light’s on, it’s fair to ring the doorbell. My kids and I just went to three different houses that had lights on, no decorations, and big bowls of candy.

I haven't participated in trick or treat for years. Not since my children were small and they are now all in their twenties so have long ago outgrown it.

I don't do decorations or carve out a pumpkin. Generally we don't get any knocks, thankfully. Any that do happen are ignored.

This evening though I did have to take delivery of a new household appliance at the same time as the street was full of trick to be or treaters. One group seemed to think that that meant I was participating - errr, no! Unless you think a knackered old tumble dryer being exchanged for a new one equals Halloween decorations.

I'm glad of the rule of only knocking at houses with pumpkins/decorations out. It's generally observed round here, I'm glad to say.

I really can't be arsed with Halloween (never could really). It wasn't a thing when I was growing up. I prefer to be left in peace.

I didn't claim anything at all that you've said so that post is very odd.

Americans DO have a very unique energy, as a nation, with how much time and effort they put into all their holiday celebrations and you have to live under a rock not to see that.

Nobody should have to sit in darkness to avoid unwanted sods from knocking.
It’s just not on.
My estate was packed with literally swarms of children/teenagers accompanied by both parents. A lot of them do not live here, they turn up in cars and abandon them anywhere then start knocking on everyone’s door.
FFS stop knocking on strangers doors begging for sweets. You xan clearly see which houses are not decorated.
You are a pain in the arse.
Would these people appreciate randomers knocking on their door when they were trying to cook and eat dinner?

Also why are both parents trawling the streets? Who is at home so that they can hand out sweets?

I do wonder if people realise that in some areas feral kids roam the streets and throw eggs and flour at homes and cars if they do not give them something. If you look on various Police websites you can see that shops put up special signs saying 'flour and eggs are sold at shopkeepers discretion'.

Fortunately many of us don't live in areas like that, but it could happen when parents don't supervise their children.

However, many people do and Halloween is something they fear.

Just teach our children to keep away from those homes not involving themselves in Halloween. Supervise our kids trick or treating. Let stop the nonsense that knocking on doors at night is all 'just fun' and 'bothers no one'.
Lets remember the people with reasons not to want random door knocking: people with Alzheimers, disabilities, babies, nighshift workers asleep, people knackered after a hard days work, people just watching a film or reading a book to relax or just plain don't want to deal with strangers kids - and why should they.

If Halloween is so important to you - have a party at your own house and invite the neighbourhood kids round. Win Win for all.

No idea this was the unwritten rule! I’m glad I decided to put pumpkins out last minute and will remember this for when my DS is older. I’m guessing people near you don’t know this either