Halloween Open Thread > Where have all the Trick Or Treaters gone?

Where have all the Trick Or Treaters gone?

reply to NY Tel
Yeah, we've noticed the same thing here. Only 20 or so people have come to our house, not like in years past.

reply to fAcEtIOUs
Yup, I remember as a kid during the cro-magnon age we would rush home from school to get in some candy gathering time before dinner. We would go home, dump the candy into a big bowl and then go back out till at least 9 pm. This was in New York City.
I was never abducted, threatened, nor was there ever a fear of it happening.
I do think those few unfortunate times when they put the razor blades in the apples and poisoned some of the candy did have a negative effect on the occasion forever.....
Another thing ruined by society...

So yes, I would not let my kids do what I once did in many aspects.

Sad commentary.
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Love when you can - cry when you have to, be who you must, that's a part of the plan, await your arrival with simple survival and one day we'll all understand...

reply to NY Tel
We used to get dozens in the 80s here. Close to 100 before the night was up. We got 8 today.

It's a nice day today, about 60 degrees.

I think it's a combination of the fact that kid's rarely go outside anymore to do anything, only to go places. And, issue with parents feeling scared that kid's might be abducted or whatever.

The world is a changin...Although I think every generation has a little bit of that "when I was a kid...."
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"Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin

[my ramblings]

reply to NY Tel
Same here too. Bought candy anyway. If it doesn't all go tonight I can take it to work Monday and give it to the Children I work with.

Happy Halloween.
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If only the Verizon CSRs worked this well.

reply to fAcEtIOUs

reply to Mactron
I spoke to my wife who is at "The Mall" and she said the place is humming with trick or treaters.

I guess that is the place the "New Halloween" takes place now.
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Love when you can - cry when you have to, be who you must, that's a part of the plan, await your arrival with simple survival and one day we'll all understand...

Nobody at my house either. Weather's fine. Haven't had anyone here in the last few years. It's not exactly off the beaten path, but it's a little difficult because there's no sidewalks. I've been buying the stuff I like because I'll be eating it later.

Maybe everyone is still partying from the Phillies, including me.

reply to NY Tel
I remember growing up at the University California campus (80s).. It was wild!

The street was full of people at 8-midnight. The entire neighborhood surrounding us was decorated and candies was just about everywhere you turn.

I'm glad i was around when people took halloween seriously!

No kids at my house tonight

I'm going out as a vampire tonight and most likely go to a "halloween theme" club tonight.

reply to NY Tel
It's not as lively as when I was a kid, but we did still have quite a few visitors tonight. Maybe 50-60 between 6:00 and 8:00. Not too bad. Had some decent costumes too.

I know something was going on downtown but that seems to only have delayed the kids showing up in our neighborhood.

Funny thing is, when I was a kid, it was common that people had their pumpkins taken and smashed on the street after Halloween (not that it mattered much because they were going to be thrown out anyway). These days around here, it just doesn't happen. For Halloween, I'd almost expect someone to take my pumpkin. Growing up, it was almost like an "offering". So I guess some things are getting more tame. I bet mine will still be on the front porch in the morning.
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Tradition: Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid. --despair.com

I remember the pumpkin smashing days.

When I was in my late teens we used to set a trap for rowdy kids. We would get a bunch of pumpkins, set one or two out in the open, and camp on the roof of the house with a fully charged and ready to spray hose. When the fools did their dirty deed we got'em with the water. Not fun being soaking wet on a chilly October evening.

I always did this at a friend's house, as I never wanted to give anyone a chance for revenge.

reply to NY Tel
Our neighborhood was full of kids. I would say at least over 100 kids this year. 2 previous years here we ran out of candy.
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"At the moment of conception."

reply to NY Tel
I agree it is a combination of things. At my old place, I got maybe 30, but here in a different apartment complex, I am lucky to see 10, but the last few years I have not seen any at my door. I have seen some costumed kids today but they were heading with their parents to the car. I think mall and other events became the in thing. A far cry when we, an army of kids, were swarming the neighborhood, then going to the post Halloween celebration afterwards in the 60’s. This is the last year for me. If I am around I will just keep a few candy bars around but I am not make staying home for the kids a priority.

Update: Speak of the devil or two as soon as I post this there was a knock at the door, I had five kids. I made sure they took half of the candy.

reply to fAcEtIOUs
And to finish the thread about society and Halloween....

"Superman Robbed My House"
Man answers door to trick-or-treaters, gets robbed

A Long Island man was slugged and his home robbed after he answered his front door to three costumed men -- including one dressed as Superman -- who were pretending to be trick-or-treaters, police said.

The Spanish-speaking robbers forced their way into the man's home on Girard Place in Merrick Friday night and bound him, according to cops. The victim hit in the head and the suspects took off with cash they found inside the home.

After the costumed robbers fled, the victim was able to free himself and go to a neighbor's house for help, police said.

The Halloween night home invasion is under investigation. The victim was treated for a minor laceration to the head.

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Love when you can - cry when you have to, be who you must, that's a part of the plan, await your arrival with simple survival and one day we'll all understand...