Halloween: We Just Don’t Get It
by Other countries just don’t understand the US obsession with Halloween. Or are they just jealous?
At the risk of being ever so slightly controversial, I have to say that most of the rest of the world just doesn’t get the US obsession with the festival called Halloween.
For most of us, our knowledge of the rituals associated with October 31st – I think that’s the date, isn’t it? – comes from watching US TV programs and movies like ET. So, kids dress up in not-very-convincing spooky costumes.
Image via Wikipedia
Mums – sorry, I mean ‘Moms’ – who should know better dress up in extremely silly costumes too. Then everyone overdoses on sugar, regrets it the next day, and wonders why their kids are hyperactive and the dentist’s bills are so high. Mmmm.
Personally, I wouldn’t let my kids go knocking on other peoples’ doors and asking for sweets – I mean ‘candy’ – in a flying fit. After spending years telling them not to take sweets candy from strangers, it’s suddenly OK to turn up at someone’s door in a cute costume, just because they happen to live in the same neighbourhood, and demand treats? I don’t think so.
And if November 1st is a school day, how do the teachers cope with your little darlings, still on a sugar high or coming down from one? November 1st is All Saints Day according to the Christian religious calendar, and in my opinion the teachers are the saints in question for putting up with the kids on the day after Halloween.
Also, what is it with the pumpkins? When I was growing up in the UK, pumpkins were an exotic vegetable associated with Cinderella and her fairy coach. If by chance we saw something about Halloween on an American TV program and wanted to copy it, we would consider ourselves lucky if Mum threw us a turnip. It was a bit too small to carve and we soon got fed up, and concentrated instead on putting the finishing touches to our Guy for bonfire night on November 5th.
Yes, bonfire night. Guy Fawkes Night. What do you mean, you’ve never heard of Guy Fawkes Night? – ‘Penny for the guy, mister?’, out-of-control carbon spewing bonfires, dangerous fireworks, tooth-rotting sugary toffee, lip-blistering ash-baked potatoes.
Images via Wikipedia
Yes, we sure know how to protect our kids and have a good time.
But Halloween? Just don’t get it.
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Post CommentFrances Lawrence
On October 11, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I loved this because I am English and I can’t understand why anyone would want to celebrate halloween. Sadly we do get children begging door to door now, they are a problem, they upset the elderly, they annoy the dogs with constant ringing of door bells and they put themselves in serious danger. The police in our town give out signs to stop people coming to the door.
ConnieRaeMcCabeVigil
On October 11, 2009 at 2:35 pm
HI Blackrockrose,
I am with you on this! I am an American and I still do not get Halloween!! YUK! Even as a kid, I was scared to death to go against my parents teachings and knock on some strangers door and beg for candy! How stupid I thought! And the ridiculous costumes just make you so very hot, not scary. Rumors have circulated for many years that Halloween followed the KKK activities of dressing up and seeking out other people. Also I have heard that it is a big Satanic holiday in the Occult church. Whatever the case, it is NOT a child’s holiday. In today’s world we need to keep them close to us and safe. Halloween should be banned. Connie
cardy
On October 11, 2009 at 3:16 pm
A good article, if every one understood the real meaning of halloween maybe we would not be so keen in taking part in it. Good work from you.
blackrockrose
On October 11, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Frances, we have the same problem here in Australia with kids trying to copy the US Halloween custom. I think celebrations need to be deep-rooted in society, not veneered over the top by pop culture. So my comments were really tongue-in-cheek, becasue Halloween really does seem to be taken seriously in the US, and I’m sure they are just as puzzled by Guy Fawkes. Is November 5th still the same? It’s years since I lived in England.
blackrockrose
On October 11, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hi Connie and Cardy
Interesting point you both raised about the real meaning and origin of Halloween. Maybe one of you (or both) should write an article
Guy Hogan
On October 11, 2009 at 11:17 pm
The way modern society is today, parents in many American cities are more concerned about kidnappers than with tricks or treats. And I don’t understand why some people say I’m a cynic.
blackrockrose
On October 11, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Does that mean the ‘trick or treat’ wandering from door to door part of Halloween is becoming less popular?
lillyrose
On October 14, 2009 at 10:25 am
Most sensible parents would get dressed up and go out to neighbours and family trick a treating with their children. Its only a stupid parent that lets them go alone!
Halloween is a time to let your hair down, have great goofy fun with your kids, we have parties at Halloween and all the children from the street are invited.
And I say lets teach our kids not to be worried by ghosts and ghouls and dress up as them, its mad, its stupid but we love it and we are English!
I get more annoyed at the ‘prom’ dance coming over here from America, what ever happened to the school disco for school leavers? LOL