Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Rules for Halloween
Note 2a:
Baraita: The Blog: "So let me suggest a few simple trick-or-treating guidelines which Baraita readers can share with the children in their lives.
(1) If there is a doorbell in evidence, ring it. If there is no doorbell, knock firmly. The homeowner is not required to wait in her living room with the TV off so that she can hear you shuffling up her steps. If the porch light is off (with no compensating lighted Halloween decorations), skip the house.
(2) Wear a costume, and be prepared to explain what you are dressed as. (Note that some face paint and/or fabric can be made into a costume by anyone with even marginal creativity and a bunch of safety pins.) If you cannot manage a costume, be prepared to offer a smart-aleck claim that you are dressed as 'a kid named [whatever],' a [somethingth]-grader,' or something similar. Do not under any circumstances admit that you are not wearing a costume.
(2a) Parents: don't let your kids go out without a costume. They have to learn important life lessons about wearing the right clothes and making themselves look dorky before they can be rewarded. This will come in handy later in most of their careers.
(3) Proper greetings by which to address the homeowner include 'trick or treat' and 'happy Halloween!' 'Are you giving out candy?' is not a proper greeting. Responsible homeowners do not carve pumpkins without buying candy.
(4) The next part of the trick-or-treating ritual is an exchange of pleasantries. The homeowner may ask what you are dressed as, feign fear, demand some sort of performance, or otherwise annoy you. You may evade but must nevertheless respond politely. If at all possible, compliment the homeowner's Halloween decorations (e.g., jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, funny socks). Beware of assuming that cobwebs you glimpse in the interior of the home are Halloween decor"
Baraita: The Blog: "So let me suggest a few simple trick-or-treating guidelines which Baraita readers can share with the children in their lives.
(1) If there is a doorbell in evidence, ring it. If there is no doorbell, knock firmly. The homeowner is not required to wait in her living room with the TV off so that she can hear you shuffling up her steps. If the porch light is off (with no compensating lighted Halloween decorations), skip the house.
(2) Wear a costume, and be prepared to explain what you are dressed as. (Note that some face paint and/or fabric can be made into a costume by anyone with even marginal creativity and a bunch of safety pins.) If you cannot manage a costume, be prepared to offer a smart-aleck claim that you are dressed as 'a kid named [whatever],' a [somethingth]-grader,' or something similar. Do not under any circumstances admit that you are not wearing a costume.
(2a) Parents: don't let your kids go out without a costume. They have to learn important life lessons about wearing the right clothes and making themselves look dorky before they can be rewarded. This will come in handy later in most of their careers.
(3) Proper greetings by which to address the homeowner include 'trick or treat' and 'happy Halloween!' 'Are you giving out candy?' is not a proper greeting. Responsible homeowners do not carve pumpkins without buying candy.
(4) The next part of the trick-or-treating ritual is an exchange of pleasantries. The homeowner may ask what you are dressed as, feign fear, demand some sort of performance, or otherwise annoy you. You may evade but must nevertheless respond politely. If at all possible, compliment the homeowner's Halloween decorations (e.g., jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, funny socks). Beware of assuming that cobwebs you glimpse in the interior of the home are Halloween decor"
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