The people over at RiderSite are having a go at the old trick or treat custom. It’s the usual complaint of course; one that Brits have been complaining about ever since this sordid little custom slurped its way across the Atlantic.
Hordes of children (often unaccompanied) knock on peoples’ doors demanding a treat or they will play a trick. I guess my problem with it is that this is extortion dressed up as a game. "Give me something or you will regret it". Is this behaviour we wish to endorse or encourage? Last year, the Police issued notices for people to put on their doors stating that the householder did not want to be disturbed. I don’t recall any indication of how successful this was, though.
The complainants are rightly making the point that hallowe’en is October 31st, not the 29th or 30th, yet the little darlings are already starting their demands backed up with menaces – not that they see it that way. They see it as nothing more than a bit of fun.
I’m not sure that there’s an answer to this – people do all sorts of odd things in the name of traditions and customs and once ingrained into the culture they are notoriously difficult to eradicate. My own method of dealing with it is the same one I use for doorstep salesmen and proselytizers; I don’t answer the door.
Seems to work. 
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