For a blog post title, it does exactly what it says on the tin really doesn't it.
It's Halloween weekend and it's one of the times of year that I really detest.
Why such an unveiled contempt when many enjoy the celebrations? Maybe it's because I was born in a part of south Pembrokeshire that was sparsely populated of immediate houses near-by. I never lived in a town or village so the whole concept of 'trick-or-treating' never really took off for me as a child as there was hardly anyone near-by to 'trick or treat'!
Having said that, that isn't a reason in itself to hate Halloween. That was only a reason to not be actively involved in it.
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November (not October 31st)
Really, I can't stand it, because I don't see the point in it. For me, it's a complete waste of time with no redeeming features. Wind the clock forward a few days however to November 5th and as a child, you'd always see me with a sparkler in my hand, no doubt near-by a Bonfire. Because actually, for all that Bonfire Night in itself is also a rather fanciful day of activities, it does at least actually represent something. It represents the failed attempts of Guy Fawkes to blow up King and Parliament in 1605. There's actually a bit of history behind it and as a historian, that always won be over. Also, Bonfire Night is a bloody good laugh.
Halloween though? Call me simplistic, but it's just an American fad. Now don't get me wrong, I love America. I've been there many times and have lapped up it's wonderful sense of self. My brother-in-law is also American and my eldest niece was born there, in Florida on the day of Diana's funeral in September 1997.
So it's nothing against the country, it's just this particular concept, which is naturally an alien one to this country. For me, America can happily keep Halloween. It isn't needed here.
What I do know as a local Councillor, is that I will be getting e-mails and phone calls over the next 48 hours from anxious residents who will have suffered from the pelting of eggs and flour on their windows. That's not very nice is it and yet it predominantly happens at exactly this time of year.
So, call me Scrooge if you like. I don't care. I'll bah humbug the lot of you 'cos I hate Halloween, always have and always will.
For me where I grew up in the depths of South Norfolk, Halloween was always one of the looked-forward-to times of the year. There's only a dozen houses, and between 3 and 6 kids of trick-or-treating age at any one time.
ReplyDeleteMuch like carolling on Christmas eve, we'd have our normal route, perhaps four kids from two or three families dressed up as witches, vampires, ghosts, skeletons, or - one year - as spiderman, accompanied by a couple of the parents.
The community is such that half a dozen of the neighbours would expect us, and we would get perhaps a kitkat, some sweets, or a piece of fruit from each of those houses.
It's at that time of year where the countryside can be plunged into pitch black by 6.30 or 7 at night.
For me, Halloween will always share a space in my memories with Bonfire night, Christmas eve and new year's eve.
You know, I hate Halloween too. Round my way all you get it kids trashing cars and throwing eggs and bricks at windows. But these traditions will endure I'm sure. Halloween seems to get bigger each year, and there's too much money involved to scrap it now.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with Halloween and it was just a day in the calendar when I was a kid. There was mention on Blue Peter etc.. but nothing more.
ReplyDeleteIts just taken off in recent years as shops find excuse for another event to "celebrate" and rip the punters off to buy all the Halloween paraphernalia that goes with the day, namely the importing of trick or treating from the US.
It just did not exist in the 60's and 70's as I was growing up and to be honest, I would say its only taken off in the last 10 years or so.
Like you, I detest it. I just ignore the door bell at this time of year and if it does ring, I just let Randolf out to the passage and he's enough to send any kids away.
I've not had any tricks played on me...yet....
I was expecting them out on Saturday night, but guess the weather was bad, so they are probably coming out tonight.
Randolf is ready to go and bark and jump at the front door. Maybe I wont feed him today? Until after they've gone....(only joking....)