And the brother responded: "You're not the only one on the street that's said that. You can't give us anything?"
The nerve. I apologised again, a little tersely and they left. As I shut the door I was fairly certain I heard a grumble.
The third group (a pair) was as bad as the first, a little older than the second (it was getting late at this point and I would expect most young kids are already home) - I'd put them at the 12-14 year-old mark - were in, and I kid you not, sheets with holes cut out out for eyes.
They were floral sheets.
Yes, my house was haunted by floral ghosts.
"Trick or treat!" They called out, proffering their little paper bags expectantly.
"Um... Well, how about a trick?" Says me.
Ghost 1: "..."
Ghost 2: "..."
Me: "Well, trick me?"
Ghost 1: "Um, we don't have any tricks..."
Ghost 2: "You're supposed to give us lollies."
Me: "Well see, there's the thing, I don't have any lollies to give you, so I thought you might have more fun playing a trick on me or something?"
Ghost 1: "We want lollies."
Me: "Ain't got none, sorry. Now if you have no tricks for me, I'll be shutting my door about now."
Ghost 2: (as they are leaving) "Bitch. She's so fat, I bet her fridge is full of chocolate and Mars Bars and shit."
Ghost 1: "Yeah..."
This coming from two little poofter ghosts. I. dun. think. so. The door got slammed.
The last group was the most fun. I am not kidding, at about 9.45pm as I am giving up for the night, there's a knockity-knock at the door.
No really, they knockity-knocked.
Anyway, I open the door, really tired and really not impressed that kids are out this late and knocking on my door. I called myself every kind of idiot for not doing what SK said and put a sign up on the door for any future T&Ts that said we didn't have any lollies and not to bother.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Classic! I would have liked to see their faces, or perhaps balls on a platter. That would have been very Halloweeny. thanks Ren!
2 - Jim Carruthers
Halloween outside of NorthAm, and in Oceania sounds like Spinal Tap doing a tribute to the Druids.
Y'know, like "Stonehedge". Let me sketch it on a napkin for you.
3 - Eric Olsen
it takes practice
4 - Dawn
Oh man, I am so glad that story was resurrected - that was how I discovered Ren's blog - ahh good times, good times.
5 - Jason
your lame. if ur gonna scare people on halloween you need to at least give out candy. your a dick for saying what you did to those little kids. halloween is one of the best holidays, and it is sad that australian kids do not get to experience it.
6 - Dave Nalle
If the kids want it, then inevitably the Australian commercial culture will adopt it because it will sell candy. Ren may protest, but every year there will be more people at her door and there's not a damned thing she can do about it, except develop a reputation as the 'crazy lady' of the neighborhood and then they'll all just start ringing her bell and running away. Might as well embrace the holiday because it IS fun for the kids.
Dave
7 - Jen
My neighbourhood is full of kids on Halloween and residents dress up their houses and most are prepared with treats. Those who dont want to play, just turn off the porch light and put up a sign. I usually walk around with a large group supervising so I dress up too. I know its not an old tradition in Australia, but who cares! We are already so heavily influenced by America, and a lot of it is negative, so why not allow our kids to play and share in one of the cooler of American traditions.
8 - sonyah
Geez Louise what a cow you are ren...thousands of people in Australia don't celebrate Christmas but they don't treat the kids that do celebrate it, the way you treated those kids. The first year they came to my door I too had no lollies and I wasnt going to give any out. I too was of the opinion that as it is not OUR holiday we (meaning everyone) shouldnt celebrate it. Well I actually felt really bad so I gave the kids apples and bananas and bubble bars - just anything I could think of so they got something. Yeh some stared in amazement because they didnt expect an apple but hey they took the time to dress up and politely came to my door. I figured you know what - who is it hurting...No one so what the hell.
Get a life Ren move past your inability to share or open your narrow mind and enjoy all aspects of life....you may like it!!!