Interestingly, NO trick-or-treaters at all tonight.

[non sociopath skin]

Dare we hope that this most unattractive of American retailfests is dying the death in the UK?

The Skin

[Anarcho-Socialist]

1. they were out in Gateshead tonight

I feel we daren't

[ailsagirl]

2. LOL (sorry)

When did this trend catch on in the UK??
Myself, I hate it

:crazy:

[non sociopath skin]

3. Glad that you feel our pain, ailsa!

The big retailers, aided by the media, have been trying to kick-start a commercialised Halloween for about 20 years now, I guess. Success has been sporadic - I guess they've been more successful in inspiring adult-run parties than in getting kids out on the street.

This may be because a not inconsiderable part of the Great British Public continues to believe that a paedophile lurks behind every second door. Now there WAS a successful media campaign ....

:evilgrin:

The Skin

[ailsagirl]

4. Celebrating Halloween

I just finished reading Agatha Christie's "Hallowe'en Party,"
and in it she features a story about a teenager who is murdered
when bobbing for apples (which I never understood-- how the hell
can you ever hope to catch an apple in your teeth??) Someone held
her head under water. But the point is, it was a Halloween party,
so naturally I assumed the trick or treating was a part of that.
So you're saying that in the "old days" in England that Halloween
was observed by parties (with supervision)? Sounds better than
the cursed "trick or treating."

At least it's gone for another year. :toast:

Question: Is Richmond-upon Thames, Surrey a posh area?
Just curious...

Ciao

[LeftishBrit]

6. Yes, it is quite a posh area

The best thing about it is Richmond Park, with all the deer. The less good thing about it is it's being full of Tories.

[T_i_B]

5. "Dare we hope that this most unattractive of American retailfests is dying the death in the UK?"

Er No.

Over in Sheffield they like to go overboard with Halloween in a big way with a big event in the town centre.

Still, what annoys me more is "Mischief Night". Whose bright f**king idea was that?

[LeftishBrit]

7. I think it was always a big thing in certain parts of the UK, esp. Scotland

What is recent is its extension to the South. No one ever seemed to celebrate it in my London childhood - Guy Fawkes night was All at this time of year. But now Halloween is everywhere.

I don't know how much is American influence, and how much a sort of 'homogenization' of UK culture, with the influence of TV.

I haven't been 'trick or treated' this year however, though there are Jack O'Lanterns, etc., around, and of course Halloween Parties. The current paranoid society that keeps kids indoors and treats them as under constant threat from the Evil Paedophile Neighbours is disastrous in lots of ways IMO - but it does have a few advantages at this time of year!

[FunkyLeprechaun]

8. None here either

just kept the light off at the front. My husband did go out and saw some trick and treaters in our neighbourhood.

When we have children we'll think about doing it but I'm just taking a break from the American tradition! (did the tandt thing for my parents who were also tired of it as well).