Community Chat

[Free2be]

On 10/23/2014 JuJu Squeezie said:

43 years ago Halloween night will be when I went on my first date to a church Halloween party with DH. Trick or Treat

[reese2]

On 10/24/2014 Free2be said:

On 10/23/2014 JuJu Squeezie said:

43 years ago Halloween night will be when I went on my first date to a church Halloween party with DH. Trick or Treat

[Free2be]

Not having read every post here, this topic seems like subtle class warfare using children as the weapon of choice.

Aside from that, these so-called wealthy neighborhoods that are put-upon by those of lesser means must not be so well off if they don't have gates with on-duty guards.

[Catitude]

On 10/24/2014 wookie said: Did you experience a home invasion, or a burglary? Neither is good, but a home invasion takes it to a different level. Either way, I am sorry that happened to you. My next door neighbors were burglarized last month after they left for work in the morning. I was home, but didn't hear a thing. The police believe they were targeted. The thieves knew exactly what they had and where to find it.

Hi wookie, it was a home invasion. We were not even asleep yet in our bedroom at around midnight when 2 young men (19 and 20) crawled in through the living room window. Not sure if they realized we were home but they were helping themselves to our laptops, phones, TV's when we swung our bedroom door open because we thought that cats were making noise. In a million years we never would have thought it could happen. We also had a deadbolt and "chain" lock on our door. But they entered through a locked window using a tool to pry it open! We came face to face with them. We don't own guns otherwise you know how that would have wound up. They took off running with my purse and some smaller items they could carry out.

Yes I know the difference between a "burglary" and a "robbery" and a home invasion! The cops taught us all about the different terms.

Edited to add:

I'm sorry about your neighbors. Likely they were targeted and their house was probably being watched or it was an inside job. The cleaning lady's friend of a friend kind of thing. The guys that were responsible for our break-in were actually the friends of a neighbor's son! We had our windows wide open earlier that day and we saw a bunch of young men hanging around but thought nothing of it.

[Catitude]

On 10/24/2014 Free2be said:

Not having read every post here, this topic seems like subtle class warfare using children as the weapon of choice.

Aside from that, these so-called wealthy neighborhoods that are put-upon by those of lesser means must not be so well off if they don't have gates with on-duty guards.

Yep.

[RainCityGirl]

I've never had more than 12 to 14 kids come to the door in Seattle, and now it's even fewer since the little kids have grown up. I miss it. I love seeing them in costume and their excitement. I'm in a cul de sac off a dead end street, and many do not even know there are houses in here, so I suspect they pass it by. However, in this very diverse neighborhood, there are private parties that kids opt for, there are many cultures who don't even celebrate All Hallowed Saints' Day, and there are parents who don't want their kids going to strangers' homes. I can understand that, but I sure do miss it. The place I grew up had a huge Halloween tradition, and for all the kids in the close by neighborhood, my grandmother with the help of my whole family created home made popcorn balls, individually colored and wrapped. It was something all the kids looked forward to. Yum!

[wagnerdancer]

If I have candy and a children are at my door trick-or-treating I don't ask them what zip code they live in... I just give them candy. I am sure the person who lived in the well-to-do neighborhood had plenty of money for candy and yet she would begrudge a child a lousy piece of candy b/c they were not from her neighborhood. What a disgusting person. Makes me sick!

[MaggieToo]

I always buy candy, but no one ever comes here. I've been here 20+ years and there was only one year that any children came by. I end up giving the candy to DS who takes it to his work... I don't eat any as I am diabetic.

[Mominohio]

On 10/24/2014 JJsMom said:

On 10/24/2014 reese2 said:

On 10/23/2014 mstyrion 1 said:

On 10/23/2014 mominohio said:

IN the town nearest us, the "less fortunate" come to the better neighborhoods by the car and van loads, and while that isn't a problem financially for most folks there, it is the ages and the attitudes that come with some of them.

Many have no costume (and it isn't because they can't afford it), and many are way too old, teenagers in high school. Many are rude and a few of the older ones make trouble. They simply show up with a backpack mounted to their front side and expect candy with no politeness, no thank you, no nothing.

So while I would be grateful to be able to participate if I were the letter writer, I do understand where it becomes more than just giving some candy to some "poor kids". It becomes a candy grab for some of these folks.

well-off kids are also (gasp) rude, too old, make trouble, never wear costumes, and have attitudes. Why single out the less fortunate--unless you are the writer of the letter to Dear Prudence.

Seriously? It's candy and it's once a year!

Isn't Halloween all about "a candy grab"?

I love Halloween. The more trick-or-treaters, the better!

I hope I never become one of those crotchety Get-Off-My-Lawn types.

No, it isn't all about the candy. It is a time for neighborhood fun and camaraderie. It is a time (as all times should be) for teaching moments (like how to be polite, how to have fun without vandalizing etc.) It isn't about people who never stay home to pass out candy in their own neighborhood, branching out to take advantage in other areas, to the point where many of the middle class folks have to stop handing out candy before the designated time, because they run out. It's about "kids" way too old to be out 'begging' causing mischief to the point that people don't even want to take the little ones out. I'm all for any trick-or-treater who is polite, under the age of 15, and remembering it is for the younger kids, not those kids old enough to get a job and buy their own candy.

[glb613]

We have hundreds of trick-or-treaters every year. Most are not children living in the neighborhood. For several years I grumbled about all of the outsiders. One day I though "we must have a great reputation for a safe neighborhood with lots of candy". Since then, I welcome all except the teenagers who are not taking around younger children.