Sanctimonious Old Farts

[shanmonster]

On Monday, someone asked me what I had done on Hallowe'en. When I said I'd gone trick or treating, one of the "mature" students gave me a withering look and said, "Aren't you too old for that?"

I said, "It's only the third time I've ever gone. And besides, there is a long tradition of mummers of all ages, and I did sing and dance for my candy."

After asking me how old I was, she just turned away from me with a scowl, presumably to talk with someone more grown up than me.

Can someone give me a really good reason for why trick-or-treating should be the sole demesne of preteens? Few children were actually out there, collecting candy. I saw plenty of university students. I'm sure I was the oldest person out there. Where are all the mummers? Am I the only New Brunswicker, thirty-something nonconservative enough to keep a fun tradition alive?

I wonder what this sanctimonious old biddy would do if I came janneying to her house at Christmas....

Comments

[montecristo.livejournal.com]

Eh, don't mind that old wet blanket. I would've given you some candy! I have tons of it left over because there weren't many trick-or-treaters out this year.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, I only got Hallowe'en taffies at one house. Did you have any of those? You know, the ones that taste like cardboard and are wrapped in orange and black paper?

[montecristo.livejournal.com]

Nah, I tend to go for the chocolate bars. Heh heh. If you're gonna do it, sin big. That's my motto.

[longpig.livejournal.com]

I say, as long as you're willing to put actual effort into a costume, then candy should be yours for the taking!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! And my costume was fabulous!

[montecristo.livejournal.com]

What/who did you go as?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

See my response below....

The costume is made of very nice materials. Black velvet, white cotton, and gorgeous ribbon trim. I got lots of compliments, and gave a deep, flourishing bow to each person I trick-or-treated.

[minstrel70.livejournal.com]

Oh my. Four years ago I probably would've sided with your hypermature critic, but thankfully, I met my (now ex-) girlfriend Tricia, whose claim to fame was discovering my inner child. I'm still not terribly enthusiastic about Halloween, but come have a look around Christmas and see what mischief she caused. Hat's off to you for dressing up on Halloween. We should all be so bold -- and charmingly childish.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I dressed as a fop from the 1700s. I hadn't realized what a great-looking guy I make. I'd do me. Heh....

Re: I'd do me.

[montecristo.livejournal.com]

My, what a self-perving thing to say!

Re: I'd do me.

[metasilk.livejournal.com]

But fun, in a weird sort of mirrorish way...

*boggles at the circles my thoughts are taking*

[fourcorners.livejournal.com]

Last time I went trick-or-treating I was 19. I don't think there's a rational limit to how old you have to be to engage in this ancient pasttime

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

So why do so many people believe there is a limit? This is what I'm trying to figure out.

[fourcorners.livejournal.com]

I guess they think that you're trying to take the candy for kids. Maybe they're jealous that they don't have the nerve to go trick or treating themselves and resent you for it. Maybe they think you're just trying to score free candy, and since you're an adult, you should just buy it yourself instead of looking for free handouts. Maybe they see it as an act of immaturity.

Either way, I think they're dull unimaginative people

[metasilk.livejournal.com]

Bother her! Go play. Often. Sheesh!

I do find myself thinking that those of us older folks might provide more entertainment to win the treats -- sounds like you do, already.

And there's always hosting of masquerade balls or other costume parties if the house-to-house bit is too chilly. Why don't we have more masquerade balss at other times of year?

Cheers to you.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, I had a costume party. It was our Hallowe'en in January party, and it was one of the best parties, ever.

I'm planning on going to an 80s-theme party on Friday. I have the most astounding dress to wear. I swear the shoulderpads come up to my ears! I think I'll wear this, patterned nylons, sneakers, and my hair in a side ponytail. Oh, and way too much blue eye liner and glossy pink lipstick, natch!

[longpig.livejournal.com]

Oh my God. I wonder if I still have that horrible pink dress I got for a dollar at Junk and Foibles... It had these insane shoulderpads and a neckline that went nearly to my belly button. I hope it didn't end up in Community Living...!

[zaki.livejournal.com]

don't forget dozens of those horrible little stretchy plastic bracelets. Y'know, the kind you could buy in vending machines?
The smell of them can bring me back instantly to 7th grade. *shudder*

or maybe those were only popular in my neighborhood...you can never tell...*l*

Halloween is the devil's holiday

[cynebeah.livejournal.com]

Halloween is the cult's way of celebrating the Pagan celebration day. Once you go to the doors to receive your so-called "treat", they will "trick" you into their house where they will brainwash you with their lies about such things as separating the government from religion and giving women the same liberties as men. The horror! The abomination! God has a place for them on Judgement Day - it's down His own personal toilet where He can let rightious dumps fall upon thier heathen heads. I wait in hopes of that day. Oh joy! Oh rapture!

Re: Halloween is the devil's holiday

[f00dave.livejournal.com]

Kim, you're starting to frighten me. I know everyone turns into their parents, but don't you think you're taking it a bit too far? ;-)

Re: Halloween is the devil's holiday

[cynebeah.livejournal.com]

If you read my most recent entry other than my religious rant on the German language (those unbelieving infidels!), you will understand the reasoning behind my total change of beliefs. As Mr. T would say: I pity the fool who doesn't have a personal conviction in the belief of Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stink!

Re: Halloween is the devil's holiday

[cynebeah.livejournal.com]

Oops! That was stick. Honestly! Jesus doesn't stink. He would use underarm deoderant to make his pits as fresh as newborn lambs on a lovely spring morn. That's what Jesus would do.

Now I must go flagellate myself in order to repent for my sins.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

(I can't keep this up much longer. Call the police!!!)

Holy Shit!

[montecristo.livejournal.com]

God takes dumps?! Who knew?

Re: Holy Shit!

[cynebeah.livejournal.com]

Ooooh big dumps that make mere mortal shudder with the knowledge that their sphincters would crack off in the middle of cutting one of those big logs.

Logs - logs lead to fornication!! EEEEEEVIL!!!

two words for that lame-o lady

[zaki.livejournal.com]

BAH PHOOEY!

I'd still go trick-or-treating if I didn't think I'd be shot or beat to a pulp. My neighborhood ain't the nicest. :) But I've dressed up every year, even while attending this stodgy, conservative campus...

And AT LEAST YOU HAD A COSTUME! Of the dozen or so kids who came to our house, exactly *TWO* had a costume. Good ones, too. The others didn't bother. What's up with that? And it was even a really nice day, too- didn't have to cover the costume with a coat! Argh. Kids today. (Actually, it was probably their parents being too busy. I can understand that. But....c'mon, a sheet with holes, it takes two seconds....)

Regarding mummers: After reading the two links, I have come to the conclusion that the mummers in Philadelphia (http://mummers.com) are an especially offensive and mutated offshoot of a much more innocent, inclusive mumming tradition. What the irreverent drunken Boys-Only Clubs in Philly do on New Year's Day seems to bear little if any resemblance to ANYTHING described in these pages. Except for the drag. Philly mummers are scary! Eeep!

[forthright.livejournal.com]

Seems to me that as long as you wait until the little kids have had their chance, it's all fair game, and there should be no age limit.

However, it's not customary, and so people will often think anyone over say 14 who's out trick-or-treating is mostly out for the tricks. The notion of adult strangers coming to your door in the night and asking for stuff might be uncomfortable or even frightening for some people. I know that fear of crime is probably not a big deal in F'ton, but it might be more so in urban areas.

As for why someone would care to be rude to you after the fact, well, that is a mystery.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Very few children seem to trick-or-treat downtown, anymore. Mostly, they're taken to the malls, which defeats the purpose, in my opinion. All total, I saw about six kids.

One of them was a boy dressed as a Pakistanian who spoke with an affected Kwik-E-Mart accent. Very, very tacky....

None of the people who answered the doors seemed even remotely afraid of us. One middle-aged guy in a long, plaid man nighty hit on Kathryn in a rather repulsive manner, though.

I only rang on the doors of people who had decorated their homes and left their porch lights on. They knew what they were getting into!