That's what this page from Essex police implies: http://www.essex.police.uk/be_safe/hall ... ition.aspx

Yes, it's that time of year when common sense is lost, and children are allowed to roam the land freely, asking strangers for sweets and expecting to return home safe and sound.

I know, I'm being cynical, but making this an "opt out" event is sending the wrong message. I don't want to be bothered by idiots with sheets over their heads demanding treats, but at the same time I really don't think I should have to display a sign saying this. Parents should be more discerning about where their kids go, and who they speak to.

I thought I'd read that you opted in by displaying a picture of, for example, a pumpkin head or witch in your window. Maybe it was a local authority trying the idea out.

Why do we celebrate an American tradition? My fiancé hates it, she'd much rather the kids come round for Mattemännschen.

That said, last year nobody knocked on the door for either, although there were several groups under way in the town.

That would make more sense, but no. It seems that the idea is that people will be knocking on doors willy-nilly and expecting some kind of reward, or they’ll key your car, throw eggs at your house or molest your cat.

Hallowe'en predates the formation of the United States, it's very much a British tradition. However I'd agree 'we' (not me, but people generally) seem to have decided to celebrate it in the American fashion, which frankly puts me off it even more.


I'm out this evening anyway, so stuff 'em.

Curmudgeons, one and all.

If I went around giving sweets to children I didn't know any other day of the year, they'd lock me up.

Will there be checks on paedophiles putting the pumpkin in the window?

Just put potassium inside chocolates for that combined trick and treat. :shock::lol:

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Happy Samhain all!

No to trick or treating, We are British!



EDIT just you lot wait. Instead of having 'years' at school it will soon be 'grades'. And when did we start having proms? It's a ball or a disco!

Is that an euphemism? lol:

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

We only have young children doing the rounds in my neighborhood, so they are always accompanied by at least one adult. What's wrong with that?

My youngest will be getting dressed up and my wife will take him round the block with a bunch of his (and her) friends. Quite a lot of people make the effort - one guy goes the whole hog and has creepy music, fake cobwebs in the hallway, dresses up and jumps out swinging a "blood-soaked" plastic axe - The kids love it.

Americanised or not, it's not as commercial as xmas (£10 for costume materials and face paint and a few quid for treats isn't that bad) and, around here at least, everyone gets into it.

I never thought of it that way. You could be right.

Got my display sorted:

http://f1n.co.uk/HtTQDO

(shortened as the f bomb is in the url)

Got no objection to people getting into it if they want to. I just don't like the way people who aren't into it are mithered anyway. It's turned from the festival I knew as a child where the kids dressed up and we had a party and there was bobbing for apples and what have you which was fun for those who did and no bother to those who didn't.

I'd go with the notion that if you have a pumpkin in your window then kids can knock, if you don't they should leave you alone.