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Halloween. An American tradition for almost as long as Christmas has gone from children in cute or silly costumes begging candy to self-righteous sourpusses calling it evil and standing on street corners in costumes blaring turn-or-burn instead of treat or treat.
I really wish they would realize that
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their christmas trees and evergreens; eggs, bunnies, and chicks have just as pagan an origin as the feared Hallow's Eve. It seems it is all a matter of what you choose to make of it.
So Happy Halloween
Trick or Treat.
What are acceptable hours to give candy out. Last year, we had kids coming til almost 11pm. I turned off all the lights at nine and people still came. I remember when we were growing up, if the porch light was off, we did not got to that home. In this neighborhood it is really wierd. Kids up to 16 years old, half with no costume. There is one girl that comes every year...and she has had a baby, so she is at least 14-17 yo. I don't want to be in the same group as the old raisin or penny lady, but, I was thinking 9pm should be an accpetable ending.
ReplyDeleteSomeone I know in Old Sem, has a rule. No costume, not treat....UNLESS. Unless you are willing to sing or dance, tell a joke, or otherwise entertain for your treat! What a super idea and believe me she has seen some great acts!!
ReplyDeleteUntil 8:30 or 9:00 and no costume, no candy!!!
ReplyDeleteOK, here is my thoughts on the "no costume no candy rule." When I first moved in the neighborhood, I tried that rule. However, realized real quick that some of the kids had no parental figure to help them dress up, had no money to buy, etc. After one very embarassing incident, I give to all. However, those with great costumes or creative costumes get extras!
ReplyDeleteJust an FYI, the Trib listed OSH as a trick-or-treat hot spot in South Tampa.
ReplyDeleteLearn The Tricks For The Best Treats, Tampa Tribune
There they go again....putting us in South Tampa again!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Tampa Tribune....they need a map!
I think it's nice they acknowledged Old Seminole Heights, at least they weren't pinning us where NOT to go because of sexual predators. I think they put us in the closest fit for location. Some people just refuse to ever be happy... our reputation for being a bunch of whiners, unfortunately, gets proven time and time again. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMan-O-Man, we calculate somewhere between 600 - 700 "kids" came by our house. I KNOW we scared a few because they wouldn't come up the walkway - BoOOooOoOo. Ran out of candy twice and called it quits at 9pm after 2 addition runs to Publix. We gave all something, but a little more to those costumed and under 35. Even more to those that actually seemed to be kids. Wonder how many snickers a 3 or 4 month old baby really can eat. I was assured it's a lot. Onslaught is the correct description!
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time last night. I did stick to my guns about not answering the door after 9pm.
ReplyDeleteHere are some initial thoughts:
1) Way too many kids 15+ coming to the door. Made me feel very uncomfortable.
2) Way too many kids with no costumes. Are the parents so lazy they can't help the children be creative.
3) Many of these kids are so disrespectful and unappreciative. I can't tell you how much garbage I had to pick up this morning. Since when did it become OK to throw your trash on the ground. These kids are pigs.
We decided we will not participate in Halloween next year. Our neighbor got egged, so I would rather rinse off eggs than pick up a bag full of garbage.
We had a nice turn-out, somewhere around 50 kids or so, only one group of three who weren't in costume, and they were the last ones before we shut off the light. One observation I had, is many of the kids just held out the bag and didn't even say "Trick or treat." Other than that, it was a blast. We're looking forward to next year already. Anyone know a good exterminator, it's time to get rid of the giant spider that took over my front porch the past couple of weeks.
ReplyDeletepersonally, I do not think trying to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, and expecting our city officials to earn their pay is whinning. It might be nice they acknowledges OS but would be even nicer if they knew where it was!!
ReplyDeleteSeveral homes got egged. I picked up egg cartons from the street this morning.
ReplyDeleteIt was very sad to see the very young trick or treaters have no costume, carrying an old pillow case while the parents stayed at the curb smoking.
I agree with you Flyer (wow that is what, three times now?)
ReplyDeleteThe good and the bad are hand in hand in the hood. Some of us, many of us, moved here because we enjoy and embrace the diversity. Doesn't mean we don't see anything that needs changing, but does mean we would rather do it WITH all our neighbors, not against any of them. Sometimes that is very difficult but worth every bit of the effort!
As to the kids in no costumes. I do not aim my dissappoint towards the little ones. Just because their parents are so worthless does not mean they should not be allowed the treats. The older punks, well, that is different.
Rather than retreating on Halloween, I am all in favor of figuring out how to make it better. I am not up for giving in but rather in bringing others up with us. Lots harder to do, buy far more value
I for one had the most awesome tricks or treat.I am an adult.Myself and my fireman neighbor went out with sheets on our heads and had fun.
ReplyDeleteWe saw all kinds of children . This is not the 50s any more. Children grow up faster and some of the kids here have poor parents and its a rough time for most everyone .Taxes higher and properties becoming outragously high.Comon .Where is everyone's sense of the the holloween.
DOES it have critera?I WASNT aware this neighborhood has restrictions on fun.
'I also saw parents with children smoking on the curb' what the hell does it matter if they smoke ornot?'
good lord ITS ONE NIGHT OUT OF A YEAR
LIGHTEN UP YA TIGHT ASSES.
so what they dont act and behave the way YOU DESIRE.
doesnt mean u should be so harsh about one dam day of a year.
and judge others so .
who the hell are you?
these people here work just like you do each day and some of them are better off some can afford more so what doesnt mean you should stand in judgment of a parent and or child with or without
Shame on you.
This next year......i shall tell everyone i told this past year to NOT BOTHER WITH THE HEIGHTS
TO MUCH CRITERA TO MEET TO HAVE CANDY AND SOME FUN ON A NIGHT MEANT TO BE FUN AND TRICKY TREATIE
VERY DISAPOINTED WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Cbanks21... Which "one day of the year" is it okay to vandalize homes? Is there a "one day of the year" for *any* anti-social behavior?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so horrible that we want them to "act and behave the way [WE] DESIRE" when all we're asking is they are nice and show a little appreciation. (Like, for example, say 'trick or treat' instead of 'I don't like that candy. Give me chocolate.' )
There is no "one day of the year" where some of the behavior I witnessed Tuesday night should be acceptable to anyone.
"these people here work just like you do each day and some of them are better off some can afford more so what doesnt mean you should stand in judgment of a parent and or child with or without"
My mom raised us alone in the 60's and 70s before getting remarried. It never would have occurred to her, poor at the time, to excuse bad behavior. What does income have to do with teaching your kids how to behave? What does income have to do with costumes? Two kids wore their mother's dresses. Free. Cash isn't required for a costume, only imagination.
If simple social courtesy and at least a meager attempt at a custume is "TO MUCH CRITERA" for children on Halloween, we've got far bigger issues in the area than adults asking for candy.
Way to go Shawn. I couldn't agree more. We handed out candy to those kids in costume. No costume, No candy. We asked the kids about their costumes.
ReplyDeleteI am sick and tired of people excusing poor behavior with being working class or poor. I was born in one of the most economically depressed cities in the country, with a mother who was barely making minimum wage or on welfare until I was in high school and a step-father who spent as much time working as not working. And so there wasn't much money but she helped us make costumes out of what was available. I got my ass beat for "mischief night" egging of homes and soaping car windows. Bad behavior wasn't excused, looking back I can say I am glad. More than a few from my childhood are dead, in prison, wasted on drugs, lacking any ambition, and living in that same crap. Most of their parents were uninvolved and quick to excuse the same behavior for which I caught holy hell.
Middle class values aren't inherited, they aren't a white thing, they aren't black thing, it is the desire to fit into the broad mainstream of American society. Those values are learned conduct and accepting garbage behavior just begats more of the same. OMG, I think I sound like my parents or Andy Rooney.
One boy who lives nearby said he was a "pimp" this as he was walking his little sister. When I asked her what her constume was I looked at him in all seriousness as he started to answer for her and said he better not say it related in any way to his costume or I'd take the candy right back out of his bag.
Flyer..
ReplyDeleteThere is a whole body of literature about resiliancy for children (those 20 years in social work coming through). The bottom line is a stable, consistant and influential adult can counter a great deal of bad parenting or absent parenting, and a shitty environment. Will they become Princes of power and privledge? Not likely but they will do better than what they were born into.
I believe it was Robert Louis Stevenson who said "life is not so much being delt a good hand as playing a poor hand well."
Nature vs Nurture? Nurture can almost always trump nature. Natural talent/ability helps, but even that can be encouraged and enhanced by nurture from birth.
Those kids in my earlier post? They live on the otherside of my 80 year old neighbor. Their parents may have their hands full trying to provide but they get a boost from an 80 year old woman (white) who is constantly watching, praising, chastising, and correcting those children and their siblings (black). They are some of the most polite and well behaved children around. The yard looks like hell, and money seems in short supply but I bet for the most part those kids stay out of trouble.