Why is it that after you run out of candy and you turn your lights completely out, trick or treaters still insist on knocking on the door, or worse, ringing the doorbell? What is it in their minds that makes them believe that somebody is playing a trick on them and that we are in fact hiding in the house, waiting for the opportunity to spring forth through the door and scare the bajeevies out of them and not give them candy? I have even heard these trick or treaters with no manners stating, ” wait, I think I see somebody moving around in there. ( me walking out of my office past the windows - the glare of my monitors in the dark must have cast a shadow on my window sheers) To add to my frustration level, they even begin to ring the doorbell repeatedly!! What in the world are people thinking. Its 9:00 at night and my lights in and on my house are off. By turning my lights off I am trying to convey in a nice, neighborly way, “We are done with Halloween. Please go and get your free candy somewhere else, or better yet, go to Walgreens and buy some yourself tomorrow when it all goes on sale.” Furthermore, what is it with 16 - 19 year olds trick or treating??? They do not even dress up! They just show up with a bag, jam it in your face, look at you strange and do not even bother to say thanks? Don’t you have papers to write for school or some math homework?

As a child, Halloween was my favorite holiday and as of late I have found myself becoming lazy with decorations and getting into the spirit of the day because of these recurring issues of rude people. I feel like that if I did not decorate at all that people would not be encouraged to come up to my house after the lights have been turned off.

Being a father now, I know that I must pull up my bootstraps and continue to adorn the front of our home with decorations and lights for the enjoyment of my son, but I just had to get this off my chest so that I could again find enjoyment in this fun time of the year.

My plea: Trick or Treaters - Please don’t knock on people’s doors when their lights are off! It is rude when you do so. Their are rules of etiquette when you are going door to door asking for free candy. Please follow the rules. Some of us have children that are trying to sleep. Please be nice and respectful - say thank you!

I am really not a mean person. I just want peace and quiet, when I want it. I love Halloween. I love the concept. I love the decorations. I love the costumes. I love America. I do not love people lacking social graces.

Thats All I Got!
Four_Ones

Tags: halloween, halloween etiquette, rude trick or treaters, trick or treating, candy