Happy Halloween

[Admiral Yi]

Just learned they have this thing around here called "beggar's day."  Kids trick or treat the day before Halloween.  I'm guessing it's so they don't run into too many drunks, or so their parents can get fucked up on Halloween day.

[HVC]

Happy Halloween!

Growing up the night before Halloween was devils night, and that's when all the vandalism happened.

[Barrister]

Wasn't it ole Monkeybutt who called Halloween beggar's day?

[Josquius]

It's mischief night in some parts of the UK. In my town totally unknown but pretty big round Lancashire apparently.

[Caliga]

It's mischief night in some parts of the UK. In my town totally unknown but pretty big round Lancashire apparently.

Mischief Night in Philadelphia/New Jersey also.

[Savonarola]

It was Devil's Night in Detroit, where people of all colors and creeds came together as one to burn down the city.   

That proud tradition ended in 1995 when then new mayor, Dennis Archer, coordinated between citizens groups, law enforcement, emergency units and business to put together an effort to stop the arson.  I assisted in that effort as my employer, Nextel, supplied the phones to a number of the various groups.  (The previous mayor, Coleman Young, "Solved" the problem by blaming the media and the suburbs; not a very effective solution, but a very Detroit one.  Sometimes you have to sacrifice whole city blocks in order to keep it real.) 

[HVC]

No fires in my neck of the woods, that I recall. Plenty of TP and eggs. Occasionally graffiti'd or toppled grave stones.

[Tamas]

So how much candy/chocolate are you supposed to give each kid? In the UK? I hope they won't turn up and I still have a few years before having to do this because of the kid, but it's completely new to me as obviously they won't be coming to flats.

EDIT: I have done research and apparently if we don't indicate we welcome people (such as decoration or porch light on) they shall leave us alone.

[garbon]

The tyranny of Halloween!

[Gups]

So how much candy/chocolate are you supposed to give each kid? In the UK? I hope they won't turn up and I still have a few years before having to do this because of the kid, but it's completely new to me as obviously they won't be coming to flats.

EDIT: I have done research and apparently if we don't indicate we welcome people (such as decoration or porch light on) they shall leave us alone.

That's right. Hollow pumpkin with a candle in it is the sign (at least round my way). I used to quite like it when my kid was young and we joined in but can't be arsed now.

[Barrister]

Yeah Halloween was great fun as a parent to really young kids.  Little kids in costumes are of course adorable, and it's actually a nice way to go around and say hi to all your neighbours you don't necessarily talk to.

My kids now are old enough to go out by themselves, so as an adult it's not nearly as much fun.

[Admiral Yi]

So how much candy/chocolate are you supposed to give each kid? In the UK? I hope they won't turn up and I still have a few years before having to do this because of the kid, but it's completely new to me as obviously they won't be coming to flats.

One full sized chocolate bar or three fun sized.

[crazy canuck]

Naw, it depends on the number of kids you get.  If few, spoil them rotten.  If many, be stingy.

[Grey Fox]

I'll get about 100 kids. Most will get 3 candy, I give larger amounts to the younger kids that have really cool costumes or seem quite intimidated.

I live very close to a high school, I have to spend the 4'oclock hour telling teenagers to come back after 6 in disguised if they want any candy.

[crazy canuck]

Can't blame them for trying