Whatcha gonna be for Halloween?? - Page 6

Elspode · 11-01-2006, 08:37 AM

*Two* stinking trick or treaters. *Two*! Man, what has become of today's youth? I am depressed. If it hadn't been for the forty people at the ritual and feast, I'd be nearly suicidal.

Despite the lack of trick or treaters (I wonder if having signs saying "The Witch is In" and "Witch Way" and other such things in our yard year 'round discouraged them somehow. Didn't put the JW's off this weekend...), we had a terrific time celebrating both Samhain and my our ninth anniversary. I love Halloween.

Pics later. My wife looked so *hot*.

Undertoad · 11-01-2006, 08:56 AM

The usual 80 of the little fart-knockers here. I bribe them with full-size bars from Costco, and they go crazy. It is their only interaction with me and I don't want to be called that weird guy who we never see.

Two separate lads declared that my house is "really cool". I explained that it was highly mortgaged and that if I don't find some work in the next few months their parents could buy it from me. They screamed in horror and ran.

Trilby · 11-01-2006, 10:39 AM

Don't be bummed, Elspode. I didn't get nearly as many trickertreaters this year. The kids that did come were so...so...dejected and downcast that you could have mistaken them for middle aged, mid-level managers at Wal-Mart or something. So many dispirited, unenthused, "trick or treeeeet"s. Was sad, I tell you. Like they were being forced on some Bataan Death March.

glatt · 11-01-2006, 10:43 AM

Our kids started out with a lot of enthusiasm, but then kind of forgot what the ritual was, and they would just knock on the door and stand there, not sure what they were supposed to do next. I had to keep reminding them between houses what they were supposed to do.

When I was a kid, we used to freakin' scream "trick or treat!"

Iggy · 11-01-2006, 10:44 AM

I didn't get any tickertreaters at all, but I live in a second floor apartment with the porch light always on (i.e. the residents don't control it) so there was no way for kids to know that I had candy. And it was really cold last night, so that could be part of it. But I didn't expect anyone anyway. They don't go to the apartments.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-01-2006, 10:45 AM

Maybe there are so used to having everything handed to them the thought of actually going out and working (dress up and extort) for it, depresses them.

wolf · 11-01-2006, 10:59 AM

Apartment complexes used to be the absolute primo ground for candy ... low walk to loot ratio. The place I'm in is probably around 15% occupancy, if my own court is typical, so slim pickings here this year.

There are few kids in the complex currently, so I didn't even bother turn turn on the front door light, which is the magic signal that candy is available. No problem, that just means more fun size bars for me.

I think, though, that what has changed are not children, but parents. Kids still love going from house to house getting enough sugar to power a major city for a month, but their parents won't let them. I know that for at least one of my friend's kids, trick-or-treating meant mommy driving them around to the homes of trusted adults ... her friends, parents, in-laws, and grandparents. Almost doesn't seem worth the effort, does it?

xoxoxoBruce · 11-01-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Our kids started out with a lot of enthusiasm, but then kind of forgot what the ritual was, and they would just knock on the door and stand there, not sure what they were supposed to do next. I had to keep reminding them between houses what they were supposed to do.

When I was a kid, we used to freakin' scream "trick or treat!"

When you were a kid, did your parents take you out, tell you where to go, what to do, how to act and never let you out of sight for a minute?

I was on my own and that was half, or more, of the adventure. Sneaking up on people that could care less, but in my mind being terrorized. Nobody knew where I was or what I was up to, although in truth, the parent/neighbor network was keeping watch.

Now Halloween is run by Home(land) Security......keeps you safe......at a price.

Undertoad · 11-01-2006, 11:52 AM

I had to train myself not to send them off with a cheerful "seeya later!" like I do everyone else, because after I thought about it, that's a really creepy statement from an adult male who lives alone who they don't regularly see.

Clodfobble · 11-01-2006, 01:59 PM

I would say at least half the kids at the door this year didn't actually say "trick or treat" at all. Which was irritating to me, you're trick or treating, that's what you say. We also tended to get mostly older kids, in the 8-10 age range, which for me is pushing it as far as trick or treating age goes.

glatt · 11-01-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

When you were a kid, did your parents take you out, tell you where to go, what to do, how to act and never let you out of sight for a minute?

When I was a young tike, yes. But I don't remember how old I was when they cut the strings. Mine are now 4 and 7. The 4 y.o. is too young to be on his own. I'd maybe be OK with the 7 y.o. going out without us if she had an older kid with her.

Times change

.

We also have more traffic in our neighborhood on Halloween than when I was a kid. I think some kids get ferried in from other neighborhoods. Lots of minivans with kids jumping in and out of them. Crazy.

Flint · 11-01-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

We also tended to get mostly older kids, in the 8-10 age range, which for me is pushing it as far as trick or treating age goes.

I saw my wife giving candy to a couple of teenagers, in their street clothes, holding big black trash bags. I was like "What the fuck are you doing?! Did you ask them what they are (dressed as)?!" Then again, I guess you don't want them to come back and burn your house down. Little shits.

BigV · 11-01-2006, 04:08 PM

I was Luigi's wingman, Mario.

Elspode · 11-01-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

The kids that did come were so...so...dejected and downcast that you could have mistaken them for middle aged, mid-level managers at Wal-Mart or something.

Samhain is the best night for divination, you know. Perhaps they'd seen glimpses of their futures, and they were too bummed to enjoy themselves.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-01-2006, 10:15 PM

There has been a big change in Halloween, the last 10 years. It used to be something kids loved and adults sort of dreaded. Now it's become a big deal for adults....more decorations, cards, costumes, parties.

The side effect is more orchestration and choreographing of the kids activities, which makes them feel they are just along for the ride......just a piece of the adults festivities.

Of course the other thing is safety and there is no doubt parents have to be more careful. They had the nerve to ask me why I painted FREE CANDY on the side of the van with no inside handles. Harumpf.

11-01-2006, 08:37 AM	#76
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Two stinking trick or treaters. Two! Man, what has become of today's youth? I am depressed. If it hadn't been for the forty people at the ritual and feast, I'd be nearly suicidal. Despite the lack of trick or treaters (I wonder if having signs saying "The Witch is In" and "Witch Way" and other such things in our yard year 'round discouraged them somehow. Didn't put the JW's off this weekend...), we had a terrific time celebrating both Samhain and my our ninth anniversary. I love Halloween. Pics later. My wife looked so hot. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-01-2006, 10:45 AM	#81
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Maybe there are so used to having everything handed to them the thought of actually going out and working (dress up and extort) for it, depresses them. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-01-2006, 10:59 AM	#82
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Apartment complexes used to be the absolute primo ground for candy ... low walk to loot ratio. The place I'm in is probably around 15% occupancy, if my own court is typical, so slim pickings here this year. There are few kids in the complex currently, so I didn't even bother turn turn on the front door light, which is the magic signal that candy is available. No problem, that just means more fun size bars for me. I think, though, that what has changed are not children, but parents. Kids still love going from house to house getting enough sugar to power a major city for a month, but their parents won't let them. I know that for at least one of my friend's kids, trick-or-treating meant mommy driving them around to the homes of trusted adults ... her friends, parents, in-laws, and grandparents. Almost doesn't seem worth the effort, does it? __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-01-2006, 04:08 PM	#88
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	I was Luigi's wingman, Mario. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

11-01-2006, 10:15 PM	#90
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	There has been a big change in Halloween, the last 10 years. It used to be something kids loved and adults sort of dreaded. Now it's become a big deal for adults....more decorations, cards, costumes, parties. The side effect is more orchestration and choreographing of the kids activities, which makes them feel they are just along for the ride......just a piece of the adults festivities. Of course the other thing is safety and there is no doubt parents have to be more careful. They had the nerve to ask me why I painted FREE CANDY on the side of the van with no inside handles. Harumpf. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-01-2006, 08:56 AM	#77
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	The usual 80 of the little fart-knockers here. I bribe them with full-size bars from Costco, and they go crazy. It is their only interaction with me and I don't want to be called that weird guy who we never see. Two separate lads declared that my house is "really cool". I explained that it was highly mortgaged and that if I don't find some work in the next few months their parents could buy it from me. They screamed in horror and ran.

11-01-2006, 10:39 AM	#78
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Don't be bummed, Elspode. I didn't get nearly as many trickertreaters this year. The kids that did come were so...so...dejected and downcast that you could have mistaken them for middle aged, mid-level managers at Wal-Mart or something. So many dispirited, unenthused, "trick or treeeeet"s. Was sad, I tell you. Like they were being forced on some Bataan Death March.

11-01-2006, 10:43 AM	#79
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Our kids started out with a lot of enthusiasm, but then kind of forgot what the ritual was, and they would just knock on the door and stand there, not sure what they were supposed to do next. I had to keep reminding them between houses what they were supposed to do. When I was a kid, we used to freakin' scream "trick or treat!"

11-01-2006, 10:44 AM	#80
Iggy Back and ready to tart up the place Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 850	I didn't get any tickertreaters at all, but I live in a second floor apartment with the porch light always on (i.e. the residents don't control it) so there was no way for kids to know that I had candy. And it was really cold last night, so that could be part of it. But I didn't expect anyone anyway. They don't go to the apartments.

11-01-2006, 11:52 AM	#84
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I had to train myself not to send them off with a cheerful "seeya later!" like I do everyone else, because after I thought about it, that's a really creepy statement from an adult male who lives alone who they don't regularly see.

11-01-2006, 01:59 PM	#85
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I would say at least half the kids at the door this year didn't actually say "trick or treat" at all. Which was irritating to me, you're trick or treating, that's what you say. We also tended to get mostly older kids, in the 8-10 age range, which for me is pushing it as far as trick or treating age goes.

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