Halloween....

[ElwoodBlues1]

Halloween is the Christianised takeover of the pagan Samhain festival and the pumpkin carving (originally turnips) and trick or treating have been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.  Yes, it’s commercialised but what isn’t these days.

The only problem I have is that it’s the wrong time of the year to celebrate Samhain in the Southern Hemisphere.  We should be celebrating Beltane on 1 Nov and Samhain on 1 May.

As Thry says, it’s a bit of family fun and where’s the harm in that.

And, getting back to Townsend’s post, does anyone know someone who was influenced by an “influencer”?

Plenty of people get influenced, there called suckers and places like YouTube provide a steady income by allowing them to ply their BS.i know a kid who makes 300k a year, drives a Tesla, new home and gives financial advice on how to invest, he is a uni dropout with no qualifications who signs people up to his courses then provides BS info you can get for nothing on websites and he isn't the only one.

[Baggers]

Plenty of people get influenced, there called suckers and places like YouTube provide a steady income by allowing them to ply their BS.i know a kid who makes 300k a year, drives a Tesla, new home and gives financial advice on how to invest, he is a uni dropout with no qualifications who signs people up to his courses then provides BS info you can get for nothing on websites and he isn't the only one.

Never give a sucker an even break... WC Fields I believe.

Where there's a market ripe for exploitation, you'll find opportunists and suckers. But there are many layers... as 3 Leos and Principal LODS point out, it's fun for communities and creates connection and joy, that is great. The kids and parents I saw roaming the streets and shops were just bloody happy. I joined in with one young girl pretending to be frightened by her spooky outfit, she played up to it, mum laughed.

But then another part of my brain pops up with concerns about getting hooked on sugar, then I'm wrapped that small businesses get a loot hit selling their sweets and costumes, then I wonder about those who exploit the day for greedy gains... Time to go outside, play with the dog, water the veggie garden and see what's new on Netflix.

[DJC]

Never give a sucker an even break... WC Fields I believe.

Where there's a market ripe for exploitation, you'll find opportunists and suckers. But there are many layers... as 3 Leos and Principal LODS point out, it's fun for communities and creates connection and joy, that is great. The kids and parents I saw roaming the streets and shops were just bloody happy. I joined in with one young girl pretending to be frightened by her spooky outfit, she played up to it, mum laughed.

But then another part of my brain pops up with concerns about getting hooked on sugar, then I'm wrapped that small businesses get a loot hit selling their sweets and costumes, then I wonder about those who exploit the day for greedy gains... Time to go outside, play with the dog, water the veggie garden and see what's new on Netflix.

A couple in our district tried handing out small gifts, books etc rather than lollies.  They were abused and had their house egged.  They now hide and pretend to be not at home when the trick or treaters call. 

[northernblue]

I keep hearing how it’s a “traditional celebration”
It may be but not in Oz.
Never existed here 45 years ago, it’s an import.
Unless we’ve had a rise of religious types in our midst…?

[ElwoodBlues1]

I'm not a fan of small kids going around to random houses knocking on doors begging for lollies.
You just don't know who or what is behind the door and what danger exists with what they are given.

[ElwoodBlues1]

I keep hearing how it’s a “traditional celebration”
It may be but not in Oz.
Never existed here 45 years ago, it’s an import.
Unless we’ve had a rise of religious types in our midst…?

Yep, we used to celebrate Guy Fawkes day
back all those years ago and blow up letter boxes with Penny Bungers tied together and launch Skyrockets from Coke bottles. Then we would have a huge bonfire down at the local park or creek in our case and have a late evening game of cricket with the fire as our lights.Bomb making 101, that was fun Oz style and we all grew up normal...?

[northernblue]

Yep, we used to celebrate Guy Fawkes day
back all those years ago and blow up letter boxes with Penny Bungers tied together and launch Skyrockets from Coke bottles. Then we would have a huge bonfire down at the local park or creek in our case and have a late evening game of cricket with the fire as our lights.Bomb making 101, that was fun Oz style and we all grew up normal...?

Come to the Territory, every 1 July we get to blow shiite up ?
It’s like downtown Beirut ?
Except the injuries are usually on the minor side…

[DJC]

Plenty of people get influenced, there called suckers and places like YouTube provide a steady income by allowing them to ply their BS.i know a kid who makes 300k a year, drives a Tesla, new home and gives financial advice on how to invest, he is a uni dropout with no qualifications who signs people up to his courses then provides BS info you can get for nothing on websites and he isn't the only one.

But do you actually know anyone who has been “influenced”? 

[Gointocarlton]

Yep, we used to celebrate Guy Fawkes day
back all those years ago and blow up letter boxes with Penny Bungers tied together and launch Skyrockets from Coke bottles. Then we would have a huge bonfire down at the local park or creek in our case and have a late evening game of cricket with the fire as our lights.Bomb making 101, that was fun Oz style and we all grew up normal...?

Ahh the memories, Guy Fawkes Night. Walk down to the Milk Bar, buy enough fireworks to make Moomba look lame for about $10 and let em rip. Letter boxes, Tonka Trucks, mates back pockets were all fair game. Still got all my digits, eyesight and hearing so I couldn't have been too dangerous. They were the days.

[Gointocarlton]

I keep hearing how it’s a “traditional celebration”
It may be but not in Oz.
Never existed here 45 years ago, it’s an import.
Unless we’ve had a rise of religious types in our midst…?

NB when I become PM, Im banning Halloween celebration in Oz.