HALLOWEEN! The ONE night of the year its ok to take candy from STRANGERS!!!Why?

So apparently 7billion dollars will be spent this year on the holiday. Over 41million will go trick or treating(13 % of the population) the same number roughly as are on food stamps by the way. One question I have always had was why it became tradition to beg complete strangers for candy, and have it ENCOUARGED by your parents. When I was young I remember coming home only to be subjected to a "safety check" (really just a chance for my parents to TAX me of all the chocolate) I have a 7 year old daughter and can not imagine her going trick or treating without parental supervision, like we used to do as a child. Point is the world is just so much crazier than it was 10-20 years ago, but even with that MORE kids are going out as the years go by? Anyhow, just wanted to know if any ATS'ers have any explanation for the phenomenon

We now return you to you usual doom and gloom, and OWS threads-

reply to post by AllUrChips


The myths of contaminated candy are just that...myths. There are no documented cases of children being poisoned or finding needles in their candy. The halloween scare that wasn't so funny.

And crime is at a 30 year low, things are not worse. You can look at crime records from 100 years ago, and they are the same crimes. Nothing has changed.

And the last thing the US needs is someone advocating that people take away the last day of the year that we actually go to see our neighbors.

Halloween comes originally from a satanic ritual done on this date way back in the days of horses and carriages. The rituals were done on women and children.

So the idea of accepting candy from strangers keeping in mind all that could end wrong with the child by undertaking this action fits right in.

Click here for more information.

reply to post by AllUrChips


It's one of the World's oldest continuously running holidays / traditions. Started by the Celts with evidence as far back as 4,000 years ago the tradition was during Samhain (Celtic new years day, November 1st) the worlds of the living and the dead blended together. On October 31st people would gather around giant bon fires in scary costumes to eat and drink together, telling stories and the like, until the sun came up on November 1st. One tradition was that children, dressed as monsters and demons, would wonder around the camps and ask for stories and treats. It was adopted into the Catholic traditions of All Saints Day, which was originally on May 13th to November 2nd.. in Celtic parts of the World it was combined into Samhain as one holiday, and the tradition larger stuck (the Church tried to ban the practice of the Bonfire, and driving cattle between the fires as pagan superstition..)

Irish and Scottish immigrants to North America brought the traditions to the US .. communities used to have big parties where people showed up in costume, ate, drank, shared stories, ate treats.. often games for kids and pranks were played out, and there was a community form of trick or treating. Eventually there would be city wide parades in the early 20th century, and sanctioned times for trick or treating.

So in other words.. because it's an ancient tradition.. and we shouldn't be afraid of our communities. The World is no crazier today than it was in the past, we are simply more aware. But we shouldn't teach our children to fear our community, no good can come from that.. and taking Halloween from children is an abomination, for kids it's just about fun and candy. Some people read to much into it.

reply to post by AllUrChips


"because it's fun!"- George Carlin, the man with ALL the answers.

Halloween as celebrated today actually comes from the celtic festival of Samhain.

en.wikipedia.org...

I was alive 25 years ago, and then some... I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness and was not allowed to participate in Halloween, Christmas or birthdays, and out of all the holidays I missed out on, Halloween was the one that bite me in the the most. It looked like so much fun, one night where kids can run amuk and get candy, what kid doesn't like candy?

Of course parents need to be extra cautious and accompany their children while trick or treating, now more than ever. But I love seeing my own children have a blast deciding what to be for Halloween and interacting with their community meeting neighbours they often never spoke with before (me, never far away of course). One thing I've noticed since I started celebrating Halloween with my children is the people who are happiest to see the kids coming to their door are usually elderly folks who just enjoy seeing little ones all dressed up, giggling and excited. So I don't think it's just a 'younger generation' that is big on the celebration at all.

We live in a world where it is scary to talk to strangers, scary to meet new people and we drill that into our children's heads left, right and center, yet on Halloween you see entire communities come together to outdo each other with decorations, opening their homes to their neighbours all in the name of a bit of fun.......the world could use more holidays like that if you ask me.

reply to post by AllUrChips


I was just saying to my missus the other day about that. It's not as big here in the UK as it is in the US of A but we are slowly getting there.
Weren't we all told not to talk to strangers and especially not to take sweets from them but for this one day they say, go nuts.
Imo, there is that many people on the streets, parents included and the fact that kids go in groups that if someone were to try and 'snatch a kid' surely it would be seen.
My main concern on Halloween is getting my gaff egged by the local youths or, as it seems to be a tradition round my way, getting a firework through your letterbox. Nice huh.
Atleast it's just for one night.
I can't answer your question though because I have no idea.
Isn't it funny how we 'follow the leader' and yet most of the time we don't know the history behind it.

Originally posted by AllUrChips

Originally posted by nixie_nox
reply to post by AllUrChips

 

The myths of contaminated candy are just that...myths. There are no documented cases of children being poisoned or finding needles in their candy. The halloween scare that wasn't so funny.

And crime is at a 30 year low, things are not worse. You can look at crime records from 100 years ago, and they are the same crimes. Nothing has changed.

And the last thing the US needs is someone advocating that people take away the last day of the year that we actually go to see our neighbors.

Ill bet ALL my candy you werent even alive 25 years ago, let alone trick or treating. A litttle too defensive are we? WAS NOT delegating to get rid of your precious holiday, go eat another snickers and calm the F down please? Oh yeah, where are your crime stats? lol especially crimes targeted at children?

Go google again

edit on 31-10-2011 by AllUrChips because: (no reason given)

*laughs* Well you are losing all your candy because I was most certainly alive 25 years ago, and trick or treating. Nice age snub there.

Sorry that my facts are ruining all your fear mongering fun, but your the one getting defensive. I say it how I see it.

If you really want to make your case, you should provide the crime stats targeted at children, I won't do your work for you.
My precious holiday? A little touchy are we? Well if it is a 7 billion dollar business, I can assure you I am not the only one celebrating.
But this just proved to me your intentions, someone is trying to ruin the holiday for everyone else.


US crime 30 year low~USA today

crime in decline~ MSN

the crime decline~ wsj

the poison candy myth~msn

poisoned candy is a myth~msn

reply to post by sweetstuff


And adults celebrate it just as much as kids.. what's funner than a Halloween party, drinking with friends in ridiculous costumes. I'll be outside tonight as a creepy clown (with creepy voice modification!) waiting for the trick or treaters, then off to a party with friends. It bugs the hell out of me to see Scrooges take issue with a holiday over sheer ignorance.. for instance several schools this year banned Halloween from being celebrated in my area.. oh, if I could punch those jerks in the face I would.. Literally stealing candy from a child!

reply to post by Rockpuck


I agree. Don't be "that guy" that has to drag serious into something that should be fun. It's self defeating.

HEY! No dissin' the halloweening dammit!
This is the ONLY point each year that an aging steampunk zombiephile can not be pointed at and laughed at. I can fit right in with all of you stiffs! My inner child wants to eat your brains and gain your knowledge. Dont rain on my parade.... haters.

Because 99% of people are honest kind heartedly people that simply get lost in a world that pumps fear into them like the oxygen they need to stay alive.

Originally posted by underduck
Because 99% of people are honest kind heartedly people that simply get lost in a world that pumps fear into them like the oxygen they need to stay alive.

That and we REALLY like scaring the crap out of and scarring for life all the little kids...

Is it really more dangerous for kids than it was 20 years, what I mean is, are kids more likely to be abducted by strangers than 1990?

Originally posted by nixie_nox

Originally posted by AllUrChips

Originally posted by nixie_nox
reply to post by AllUrChips

 

The myths of contaminated candy are just that...myths. There are no documented cases of children being poisoned or finding needles in their candy. The halloween scare that wasn't so funny.

And crime is at a 30 year low, things are not worse. You can look at crime records from 100 years ago, and they are the same crimes. Nothing has changed.

And the last thing the US needs is someone advocating that people take away the last day of the year that we actually go to see our neighbors.

Ill bet ALL my candy you werent even alive 25 years ago, let alone trick or treating. A litttle too defensive are we? WAS NOT delegating to get rid of your precious holiday, go eat another snickers and calm the F down please? Oh yeah, where are your crime stats? lol especially crimes targeted at children?

Go google again

edit on 31-10-2011 by AllUrChips because: (no reason given)

*laughs* Well you are losing all your candy because I was most certainly alive 25 years ago, and trick or treating. Nice age snub there.

Sorry that my facts are ruining all your fear mongering fun, but your the one getting defensive. I say it how I see it.

If you really want to make your case, you should provide the crime stats targeted at children, I won't do your work for you.
My precious holiday? A little touchy are we? Well if it is a 7 billion dollar business, I can assure you I am not the only one celebrating.
But this just proved to me your intentions, someone is trying to ruin the holiday for everyone else.


US crime 30 year low~USA today

crime in decline~ MSN

the crime decline~ wsj

the poison candy myth~msn

poisoned candy is a myth~msn

edit on 31-10-2011 by nixie_nox because: (no reason given)

Dang OP, you just got OWNED!!!!!!

Now I gotta get ready to hand out some candy! I'm wearing an anonymous (Guy Fawks) Mask / Costume

It's Halloween, relax it's just a fun holiday. We also take presents from an old man who hangs out with midgets on Christmas.

There
have
been
no
documented
cases
of
tampered
halloween
candy.

reply to post by Quoop


I hope you made that mask yourself, or you just gave money to the enemy.