It was trick-or-treat in our neighborhood last night, a seriously diminished and distinctly understated trick-or-treat. Noteworthy costumes included a gypsy fortune-teller, a monarch butterfly, and an outstanding ghost (with tousled hair, white make-up, and a shredded sheet gathered at the neck --the dazed look on the little boy's face helped too).
Also noteworthy, were the few kids who left their manners at home. One little girl actually came up to the dish of candy, AFTER getting a piece from us, and said, "I want Skittles." while proceeding to reach into the dish and take the aforementioned Skittles.
I remember trick-or-treating as a kid being exciting and unique because we got free candy just for doing something we wanted to do anyway: dress up. I also remember my mother telling us that we couldn't trick-or-treat with a pillowcase because that was greedy. (We had the little orange plastic pumpkin buckets, and when they were full trick-or-treat was over for us, no matter how much time was allotted for the event.) Every house we went to, we had to say thank you.
Now, parents bring extra sacks and half the time don't remind their kids to say thank you for the candy.
Hey, I don't have to sit outside in the cold handing out M&Ms so having the little goblins actually acknowledge that they are grateful is appreciated. And maybe not encouraging greed?
Probably too much to ask.
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