When we moved in to our subdivision on Amelia Island,
Florida, 11 years ago, our neighbors told us we were a “target” neighborhood
for Halloween. We learned what that means is that even though we do not have
many children who actually live in our subdivision, it is a quiet, low-traffic,
non-gated community with nice people who give treats to children on
Halloween. In other words, in the great
American tradition, we are ripe for exploitation and extracting a profit, in
this case measured in candy and other treats.
So parents figuring it’s a good deal, import their kids in vans to our
subdivision for the evening.
When I was a kid, (and I know
people hate seniors talking about the “good old days,”) those of us between say
five and 12 years old walked around our own neighborhood dressed in costumes and our neighbors played
the “Oh who is this little ghost? Is
that little Billy?” And we giggled and got a piece of candy.
Now today where I live, Halloween
has become the candy/treat extraction industry.
We know absolutely none of the kids who come to the door since they have
been imported from elsewhere by their parents, we can’t play the “Oh who is
this?” game? The kids just walk up hold
out their bag and when prompted by their parents standing in the background
mumble “say thank you,” and scoot off.
No one will really believe this
today, but our parents didn’t come with us.
The 12-year olds escorted the younger kids because everybody in the
neighborhood knew everybody else. Now
the parents transport their kids to neighborhoods where nobody knows them and I
seriously doubt some of those parents’ motives.
Last night, Halloween, four
toddlers in strollers showed up at out door pushed by their very fat parents.
(Fat, in America
Between 6:00 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. we
gave out 100 treats my wife bought, to 100 kids we did not know and who do not
live any where near us, then we turned out the lights and shut down
Halloween. I think I should add, this
time for good.
3 comments:
Ah, you're bringing back good memories, Bill. But we are here in our Paris suburb, where no one has come for treats for three years. There was a brief burst of doorbell ringing in the years before that, but folks say the church (meaning RC) declared it pagan. We are not exempt from tricks, however, but that comes on New Year's Eve, when car windows--even in our quiet street--are smashed every so often. And you'll recall what happens up on the Champs-Elysees. Tanti auguri, Carlo
We had 3 kids come to our door in costume with parents whom we know. The kids were cleverly and cute in their costumes. One witch, curious George (the monkey), and the detective-quality not quantity. Wheat ve much left over candy.
I forgot to mention the elderly "trick or treater" who came to the door in no costume and using a walker. She said she was out getting candy for her granddaughter.
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