Yeah I know exactly what you mean; Halloween just isn't an Australian holiday. It's kinda disappointing for Australian kids because it looks like fun, but it's just the sad truth.
I would say that above the ages of 15, turnout has dropped considerably in Saskatchewan. However, here in Vancouver it seems that it is more popular than ever.AvsJoe said:You're Canadian, right? Have you noticed that many fewer people are celebrating Hallowe'en than a decade or even a half-decade ago?Redlin5 said:or Canada as well.
Good luck egging and toilet papering the kids thenPirate Kitty said:Nah. We live in an upper-class area. The kids here are about as hard as a wet noodle XDSnotnarok said:Good luck cleaning the egg and toilet paper off your house in the morning then. :|Pirate Kitty said:Why would we 'celebrate' Halloween? What is there to celebrate?AvsJoe said:I'm surprised Hallowe'en isn't celebrated in Australia. Do you guys have a major autumn holiday that rivals the United States' Thanksgiving or Hallowe'en?
OT: I posted a sign on the door saying "No candy. Piss off." XD
Halloween is not an American holiday. Far from it actually. It originates in Celtic mythology, the festival of Samhein, which was a yearly harvest festival. The majority of modern Halloween traditions can be traced directly to that.Trezu said:WHy ares kids going around for asking treats in Australia? ive had 5 kids in 2 groups ask for chocolates like really its a american holiday i got nothing against the americans its just that why are kids in Aus celebrating it?
every kid that comes to my door i just wanna say go away and i do expect politely for instance 'Halloween is a American thing' and 'Santa doesn't exist'[Not Really] but what do you say to kids that come to your door?
I can see you have the same attitude as most Aussies (I'm Aussie too) and really so what? It's a bit of fun, the stores get some extra dosh and hey, the modern version of Christmas is fairly Americanised. I mean it's not like we Aussies have any better holidays, I know it's annoying having to answer the door every five minutes and there's always the risk of getting egged (one year my house got egged) but refusing to partake in a day of candy and cosplay on the grounds that it came from the land of cheeseburgers and Valve is just silly.Trezu said:WHy ares kids going around for asking treats in Australia? ive had 5 kids in 2 groups ask for chocolates like really its a american holiday i got nothing against the americans its just that why are kids in Aus celebrating it?
every kid that comes to my door i just wanna say go away and i do expect politely for instance 'Halloween is a American thing' and 'Santa doesn't exist'[Not Really] but what do you say to kids that come to your door?
If there is crap on my house in the morning I'm calling the cops, vandalism is crime, and I have security cameras that record to my home-server, so I'll have video evidence.Snotnarok said:Good luck cleaning the egg and toilet paper off your house in the morning then. :|Pirate Kitty said:Why would we 'celebrate' Halloween? What is there to celebrate?AvsJoe said:I'm surprised Hallowe'en isn't celebrated in Australia. Do you guys have a major autumn holiday that rivals the United States' Thanksgiving or Hallowe'en?
OT: I posted a sign on the door saying "No candy. Piss off." XD
Good luck with that on a holiday where the people doing this would most likely be wearing masks and costumes.tkioz said:If there is crap on my house in the morning I'm calling the cops, vandalism is crime, and I have security cameras that record to my home-server, so I'll have video evidence.Snotnarok said:Good luck cleaning the egg and toilet paper off your house in the morning then. :|Pirate Kitty said:Why would we 'celebrate' Halloween? What is there to celebrate?AvsJoe said:I'm surprised Hallowe'en isn't celebrated in Australia. Do you guys have a major autumn holiday that rivals the United States' Thanksgiving or Hallowe'en?
OT: I posted a sign on the door saying "No candy. Piss off." XD
Actually yes it is, Halloween has about as much in common with Samhein as Christmas does with the Winter festivals it's share that time of year with, it is most definitely an American holiday.Agayek said:Halloween is not an American holiday. Far from it actually. It originates in Celtic mythology, the festival of Samhein, which was a yearly harvest festival. The majority of modern Halloween traditions can be traced directly to that.Trezu said:WHy ares kids going around for asking treats in Australia? ive had 5 kids in 2 groups ask for chocolates like really its a american holiday i got nothing against the americans its just that why are kids in Aus celebrating it?
every kid that comes to my door i just wanna say go away and i do expect politely for instance 'Halloween is a American thing' and 'Santa doesn't exist'[Not Really] but what do you say to kids that come to your door?
Christianity picked up the celebration sometime during the Dark Ages (I forget exactly when), and it became pretty widespread.
America commercialized it first (as far as I know), but it's definitely not an American holiday.
So far I haven't seen any masks, only stupid capes, wigs, and other crap like that, not to mention all the groups have been "supervised" by adults out of costume so far, and a few have driven up to my place, licence plates are wonderful things.Snotnarok said:Good luck with that on a holiday where the people doing this would most likely be wearing masks and costumes.tkioz said:If there is crap on my house in the morning I'm calling the cops, vandalism is crime, and I have security cameras that record to my home-server, so I'll have video evidence.Snotnarok said:Good luck cleaning the egg and toilet paper off your house in the morning then. :|Pirate Kitty said:Why would we 'celebrate' Halloween? What is there to celebrate?AvsJoe said:I'm surprised Hallowe'en isn't celebrated in Australia. Do you guys have a major autumn holiday that rivals the United States' Thanksgiving or Hallowe'en?
OT: I posted a sign on the door saying "No candy. Piss off." XD
Wow. What's with the jerk-ass attitude? If you don't want to give out candy, turn out the front light and don't answer the door. No need to be an asshole to people about it.tkioz said:Oh tell me about it, I've had a half dozen visits this afternoon, there is currently a sign on my front door saying "This is Australia NOT AMERICA, that means no bloody Halloween, GO AWAY"; only one moron father has knocked since it went up, and he did it to complain that I was being mean and selfish, he got the door slammed in his face.
Seriously if you want to do something with your kids, wait until next Friday night (5th of November) and take them to a bonfire for Guy Fawkes Night, growing up it was one of my favourite events of the year. Sure it's not as fun without the fireworks (damn government) but it's still a great night.
I'm sorry to any Americans that are offended, but will you please stop infecting other countries with your culture? I want to have a nice easy going Sunday afternoon, is that too much to ask?
The point of the OP is that it isn't done here and the only reason people do trick or treat is because they saw it on TV.Nouw said:Halloween isn't like Thanksgiving. Last time I checked, it's not exclusive to that country.
Turning off the lights doesn't do shit. These kids come in the middle of the afternoon because their parent's won't let them out on a school night. In Australia it is just like any other night of the year. Having kids come to your house and demand lollies is quite rude.Vuljatar said:Wow. What's with the jerk-ass attitude? If you don't want to give out candy, turn out the front light and don't answer the door. No need to be an asshole to people about it.
Halloween may not yet be commonly celebrated in Australia, but it is in several other countries. It's hardly an "American" holiday.
Or just put up a sign that says "piss off"smithy_2045 said:Just ignore anyone who knocks at the door for the night, and you have no problems.
Again, just put up a damn sign!Keepitclean said:The point of the OP is that it isn't done here and the only reason people do trick or treat is because they saw it on TV.Nouw said:Halloween isn't like Thanksgiving. Last time I checked, it's not exclusive to that country.
Did you watch the rugby last night?
Turning off the lights doesn't do shit. These kids come in the middle of the afternoon because their parent's won't let them out on a school night.Vuljatar said:Wow. What's with the jerk-ass attitude? If you don't want to give out candy, turn out the front light and don't answer the door. No need to be an asshole to people about it.
Halloween may not yet be commonly celebrated in Australia, but it is in several other countries. It's hardly an "American" holiday.
What do you mean 'the rugby.'; there's more than one. Answering your question, no I haven't.Keepitclean said:The point of the OP is that it isn't done here and the only reason people do trick or treat is because they saw it on TV.Nouw said:Halloween isn't like Thanksgiving. Last time I checked, it's not exclusive to that country.
Did you watch the rugby last night?
Turning off the lights doesn't do shit. These kids come in the middle of the afternoon because their parent's won't let them out on a school night.Vuljatar said:Wow. What's with the jerk-ass attitude? If you don't want to give out candy, turn out the front light and don't answer the door. No need to be an asshole to people about it.
Halloween may not yet be commonly celebrated in Australia, but it is in several other countries. It's hardly an "American" holiday.
Why should I turn out my lights and pretend not to be at home because some people feel the need to wander around banging on front doors begging for lollies? As for ignoring the front door, Sunday is the day when family and friends often pop by for a cup off coffee and a chat...Vuljatar said:Wow. What's with the jerk-ass attitude? If you don't want to give out candy, turn out the front light and don't answer the door. No need to be an asshole to people about it.tkioz said:Oh tell me about it, I've had a half dozen visits this afternoon, there is currently a sign on my front door saying "This is Australia NOT AMERICA, that means no bloody Halloween, GO AWAY"; only one moron father has knocked since it went up, and he did it to complain that I was being mean and selfish, he got the door slammed in his face.
Seriously if you want to do something with your kids, wait until next Friday night (5th of November) and take them to a bonfire for Guy Fawkes Night, growing up it was one of my favourite events of the year. Sure it's not as fun without the fireworks (damn government) but it's still a great night.
I'm sorry to any Americans that are offended, but will you please stop infecting other countries with your culture? I want to have a nice easy going Sunday afternoon, is that too much to ask?
We also have royal shows.TcheQ said:ooo good point, that reminds me to watch the Simpsons tonite, Treehouse of horrors=mega win
Oh and yeah, I never halloweened when i was a kid. It's about as popoular as any religion is in austrlaia, i think (funny coincidence, that)
No we have nothing like that. Actaully I wouldn't even know wtf Thanksgiving is celebrating. (and i refuse to google it)AvsJoe said:I'm surprised Hallowe'en isn't celebrated in Australia. Do you guys have a majorautumnspring holiday that rivals the United States' Thanksgiving or Hallowe'en?
We have no spring holiday, just these:
Easter (Monday+Friday)
Australia day (26th Jan) - same as your 4th july
Christmas (25th)
BOxing Day (26th Dec)
Queens Birthday (Monday 2nd week June, unless WA which is in October)
Labour Day (State holiday, dependent on state see above)
I think that's it. Every weekend in Aus is like a holiday anywayWe are very lucky.
Trezu said:what do you say to kids that come to your door?