Halloween in Australia - Yea or Nay?

[Mrs Butterface]

We don't get trick or treaters here in south africa,then crime is so bad they would probably have the kids ring the bell and jump out and rob you as soon as you answered.People who do want to celebrate have parties or attend official events at malls or places like that.

Do you live in a gated community or have security people or guns in your house? A friend from work was transferred there for 6 months and the company I work for was basically treating her and all the other employees who went with her like they were Obama with all the security they provided. When she came back (I was living in LA at the time) she said think of Compton but 10x worse. Scared me off ever willingly going there. Is it really that bad or do you get used to it and just adjust?

 

[pecan]

I've been lucky so far, I've never had anyone knock here. I'm going out tonight anyway, so there won't be anyone here to answer the door to them.

I just got back home, there were quite a few groups of trick-or-treaters out there, a lot more than I expected actually. I saw one house reasonably well done-up and a few others with a bit of decoration, and at least one party. I don't know how much more this is than previous years, or if it was the same before and I just didn't notice?

 

[Frankyfurt]

My daughter (nearly 5) woke up this morning so excited. She knew it was Halloween because abc 4 kids had been promoting 'boo day' and all the shows were Halloween themed.

I asked her why she was so happy and she said because she would go trick or treating and get lollies .

I said that we don't really do that in australia and she bawled her eyes out. This is damn tv and stores putting this in a little girls head

I told her I'd take her next year instead. I know people don't like doing it here and I didn't want her little heart to break if people kept saying no ... Plus I feel awkward doing it

 

[derspatz]

I've never seen such a sad looking arse

It's from the infamous BBB story/post known as "the saga of the sorry bottom" which involved me telling the tale of how I passed out while on the loo and lscp had to call the waambulance for me (and I gave 'em the best directions to the hospital based on time of day and traffic, etc, while laying down eyes closed convulsing in the back, lol) and I got to enjoy "the experience" of a Public Hospital where a lovely looking xray lass got to admire my far from sad looking arse in that untied gown.

Reason for the pass out was basically my blood pressure meds were out of wack and couldn't deal with the cabbage LSCP had fed me earlier.

Anyhoo, all that said, based upon context, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A SAD LOOKING ARSE !

Oh well, at least I got to keep the gown ... my Real tax payer dollars at work.

Hmmm ... now that has given me an idea for "trick or treat"ing tonight.

Hey LSCP, unlock the gate ... I'll deal with those damn freeloading left-ardian (same thing twice) lolly seekers.

Wait til they get a load of ME !

[ADIT] Another good thing about Halloween has to be the fact that Gremlins is on TV tonight. Yup, lscp and I are actually watching commercial TV for a change !

Now that's scary !

regarDS

 

[Frankyfurt]

I did buy the kids some lollies though today and they had some after dinner

 

[Frankyfurt]

How cute is this

 

[Rose711]

I lived in a high rise for years and we always had Halloween. You just put your apartment number and the hours you are there and people come by. If you don't want to be bothered, then you don't put your name down.

In the suburbs if you don't have your porch light or light by the driveway on, or if you don't have decorations or Jack o'lanterns, then people don't knock on your door.

I love seeing all the costumes. It's one of my favorite times of year.

 

[derspatz]

^ (plus one) Is that Raymond and his bro as kids ?

Maree !

regarDS

 

[Kaz]

No trick or treaters came knocking.

Ungrateful shits.

 

[Mrs Butterface]

I lived in a high rise for years and we always had Halloween. You just put your apartment number and the hours you are there and people come by. If you don't want to be bothered, then you don't put your name down.

In the suburbs if you don't have your porch light or light by the driveway on, or if you don't have decorations or Jack o'lanterns, then people don't knock on your door.

I love seeing all the costumes. It's one of my favorite times of year.

I'm the same. It's one of my favourite times of the year! I think because it's considered "American" some Aussies have an aversion to it. Although they have no problem watching our tv shows, creating their own tv shows based on US ideas, watching American movies, listening to American music, reading American books, wearing American clothes and makeup, and the list goes on and on and on... So it doesn't quite make much sense.

I mean, it's a pretty simple concept as you said. If you want to participate, go for it. If not, don't! Although there was this one house back when I was living in Canada that really was the closest thing to a real life haunted house that I've ever seen in my life and the old biddie who used to live there would scream if anyone had the guts to even go up to her door. Kind of like I imagine @Connoisseur would. But then she'd always have a pumpkin burning with a candle in her window so deep down I think she secretly loved scaring the total piss out of us and the whole Hallowe'en thing.

 

[Noonah19]

I love Halloween for the horror and that kind of stuff, I hate that it's an excuse for slutty dress ups, especially the ones that shouldn't be squeezing themselves into things and having half their bits and pieces hanging out. Eeww

I went to Universal Studios in Hollywood for Halloween Horror nights, that was the best time of my life. We were chased around by crazy clowns with chain saws in the dark and heaps of zombies from the Walking Dead. I love that part of Halloween in the States, the horror mazes, theme parks and being scared. So much fun, oh and I love the amazing makeup people do. I also love the celebration of All Hallows' Eve...

 

[Noonah19]

I'm the same. It's one of my favourite times of the year! I think because it's considered "American" some Aussies have an aversion to it. Although they have no problem watching our tv shows, creating their own tv shows based on US ideas, watching American movies, listening to American music, reading American books, wearing American clothes and makeup, and the list goes on and on and on... So it doesn't quite make much sense.

I mean, it's a pretty simple concept as you said. If you want to participate, go for it. If not, don't! Although there was this one house back when I was living in Canada that really was the closest thing to a real life haunted house that I've ever seen in my life and the old biddie who used to live there would scream if anyone had the guts to even go up to her door. Kind of like I imagine @Connoisseur would. But then she'd always have a pumpkin burning with a candle in her window so deep down I think she secretly loved scaring the total piss out of us and the whole Hallowe'en thing.

Yep, I totally agree with you, I find it annoying when people have an aversion to something because they consider it an "American" thing. Mind you I was born here, but I love going to the States for the big holidays- Christmas and Halloween, the US does it well. It feels like a fantasy and it feels happy and like being a kid again. Love it. Plus I love American TV, there are so many reality shows that I wish we had here. I don't know how to download, but if I did I would have to give up one of my jobs. I haven't been to Canada but it is on my list I've heard amazing things. Do they do Halloween as big as the US?

 

[Mrs Butterface]

Yep, I totally agree with you, I find it annoying when people have an aversion to something because they consider it an "American" thing. Mind you I was born here, but I love going to the States for the big holidays- Christmas and Halloween, the US does it well. It feels like a fantasy and it feels happy and like being a kid again. Love it. Plus I love American TV, there are so many reality shows that I wish we had here. I don't know how to download, but if I did I would have to give up one of my jobs. I haven't been to Canada but it is on my list I've heard amazing things. Do they do Halloween as big as the US?

I don't download anything as I'm always freaked out about viruses but if you Google the name of the tv show + free stream or something similar, you should be able to find it! That's how I've kept up with sooooo many shows as I hate waiting for ages for them to finally air here, if they ever do. It'll be just like watching a YouTube vid but on a different platform

Hallowe'en is huge in Canada but honestly I don't think anywhere else could do a holiday as big as the US haha. Although when I was living in London I happened to be there for one Christmas and it felt almost as big! I was a bit stunned while LOVING it at the same time. But yeah in Canada people tend to go all out although you'll still get some who don't want to participate, usually if they don't have kids, which is cool. People decorate their houses, you go to the shop and not only are people in costume but you'll usually get a free full-sized chocolate bar, people praying that you choose trick instead of treat so they can freak you out. People will even turn say their living room into a mini haunted house so you have to endure the scares before you get your loot.

Our house was pretty crazy because we lived in a crescent and our neighbours to the left had a dentist in the house (our best family friends and I'm still bff's with the daughter all this time later) so he always found it hilarious to give out a toothbrush and mini toothpaste and kids would lose their shit because they were so disappointed that they'd rocked up to this massive house and had expected a good haul but only got a toothbrush so you'd always hear their parents hissing for them to shut up and say thank you as they dragged them away lol. But every second year when were in Canada for Hallowe'en the kids would come to our house after and my parents would go all out. My dad would come up with some way to scare the kids involving fake limbs and blood sputtering everywhere and my mom would be hiding somewhere ready to jump out at them. And they'd do this over and over and over. Each time the doorbell rang which it did nonstop. I used to be kind of embarrassed at the time and just write them off as lame parents but thinking back now, it was pretty cool and they were awesome for going through so much effort.

I just think life can be so mundane and sadly so tragic at times that I really don't care what country my fun comes from, as long as I know my son (and in turn my husband and I) are having it. But yeah, definitely go to Canada if you get the chance. It's quite similar to here in some respects but completely different in others. And it's absolutely beautiful just from an aesthetics point of view. I'm not really into nature stuff or whatnot but I think that's because I spent half my life surrounded by it and didn't really appreciate it until I left. It's pretty remarkable!

 

[Noonah19]

I was shocked (in a good way) the first time I went for Halloween to America and saw that they dressed their front yards and houses for Halloween. It was such a novelty for me because we didn't grow up with it here. I love theme parks, Disneyland and I do love Vegas, though I don't drink or gamble.

It sounds like fun doing up your house, but probably expensive too. And I can see that trick or treaters would be annoying, I've lived in an apartment for 11yrs and we just moved to a human sized house in a new area so maybe we will get trick or treaters next year.

 

[hooleydooley]

Although there was this one house back when I was living in Canada that really was the closest thing to a real life haunted house that I've ever seen in my life and the old biddie who used to live there would scream if anyone had the guts to even go up to her door.

HAHAHAHAHA That is SOOOOOOO my place! Huge and Gloomy looking, and being over 100 years old there has always been talk around this town, of this place being haunted!

No one comes knocking here and gets the door answered, unless invited. Once the Cops came here, a few months ago - and I had to answer, after I heard them call out who they where, and I wasn't in eye range of the CCTV to see who it was at the time! Took me 2 minutes to get to the door, because of the huge place this is. Thought I better answer that one!

We are currently building gates, so the doors are off bounds, to those we don't know are coming. Have the CCTV going 24/7 as well - I get what you are doing @derspatz ..........

I suppose it can be a fun time, for kids and the parties etc, but not been brought up with it - it just seems like the shops are cashing in.

I remember - oh gosh, must be over 30 years ago that these kids came to our family home and said 'Trick or Treat' to my Dad - he turned with his back to them - dropped his dentures, and bathrobe (he had shorts on) and ruffled his hair and yelled at them - I'll give you bloody Trick or Treat and chased them down the street! OH they were SCREAMING for ages! It was so funny. I wonder if they ever think about that!

 

[SeanE]

3 groups of kids turned up

3 Aboriginal boys aged about 7 or so. No costume, just whatever they were wearing
3 girls aged about 14 or so. Had black themed clothes and had done 'day of the dead' face makeup on so they looked pretty good.
2 boys aged about 10 and 8 - oldest had a tiger onesie on, and the younger his karate outfit. Big sister was also dressed in some sort of onesie but she was just escorting the boys.

and that's it for this year! All quiet otherwise...

 

[Mrs Butterface]

HAHAHAHAHA That is SOOOOOOO my place! Huge and Gloomy looking, and being over 100 years old there has always been talk around this town, of this place being haunted!

No one comes knocking here and gets the door answered, unless invited. Once the Cops came here, a few months ago - and I had to answer, after I heard them call out who they where, and I wasn't in eye range of the CCTV to see who it was at the time! Took me 2 minutes to get to the door, because of the huge place this is. Thought I better answer that one!

We are currently building gates, so the doors are off bounds, to those we don't know are coming. Have the CCTV going 24/7 as well - I get what you are doing @derspatz ..........

I suppose it can be a fun time, for kids and the parties etc, but not been brought up with it - it just seems like the shops are cashing in.

I remember - oh gosh, must be over 30 years ago that these kids came to our family home and said 'Trick or Treat' to my Dad - he turned with his back to them - dropped his dentures, and bathrobe (he had shorts on) and ruffled his hair and yelled at them - I'll give you bloody Trick or Treat and chased them down the street! OH they were SCREAMING for ages! It was so funny. I wonder if they ever think about that!

See, your dad's response was PERFECT!!!! Honestly if he did that to me I'd be sitting here all these years later laughing my ass off and saying hell yeah... HE got it!

Your description of your house though just reminded me. Not only was it the epitome of any scary or haunted house you'd see in a movie...I think it was 3 or 4 nuns died next door within a few years. I'm trying to figure out how to phrase this so I
don't completely give the trolls who've dug up my personal info in the past more ammo by delivering where I lived in Canada on a silver platter. So apologies if the next part seems a bit disjointed...

I went to a Catholic school. Next door was this majestic, gorgeous house that was the convent for the nuns who either worked at the school or at the church across the street (affiliated with our school). The house next to the convent was the haunted house. Over say 2-3 years, these nuns kept dying young... maybe 30-45 kind of thing... from "natural causes". Now obviously as I'm much older I can appreciate it was probably just a fluke but at the time as kids, we were convinced the woman next door had something to do with it. Actually thinking back, even some of the adults did too because I remember hearing them talking about it. I assume because it fed in with this woman in this seriously dark and gloomy house, with grass and weeds so high that on the fluke years where it didn't snow they were up to your mid thighs if you were a kid and this scary ass jack o'lantern in her window that was reminiscent of Freddy Kruger's smile before he'd cut a bitch. And then of course she'd scream like a banshee if you rang her doorbell. The only thing missing was her chasing us with a broom.

Even when I got older, I always crossed the street when I had to pass her house at night even though I'd have to immediately cross back to go to our school's gym so I could spray booze in my mouth from the Rusk hairspray pump bottle that I'd filled full of various types of booze I could scam from my parents bar in the basement. And "get drunk" from those spritzes LOL

No joke, her house and the way she behaved was a friggen mind fuck for a kid.

 

[Lindsay1973]

Do you live in a gated community or have security people or guns in your house? A friend from work was transferred there for 6 months and the company I work for was basically treating her and all the other employees who went with her like they were Obama with all the security they provided. When she came back (I was living in LA at the time) she said think of Compton but 10x worse. Scared me off ever willingly going there. Is it really that bad or do you get used to it and just adjust?

I don't live in a gated community but I do have a electric fence,alarm system and CCTV camera's.I don't have a gun either.You adjust and I think as long as you stay out of dodgy area's...my aunt just came for a visit from Ireland,they emigrated there 7 years ago and I think she forgot what it is like here because they leave their cars unlocked there,doors open they can walk at night

 

[hooleydooley]

See, your dad's response was PERFECT!!!! Honestly if he did that to me I'd be sitting here all these years later laughing my ass off and saying hell yeah... HE got it!

Your description of your house though just reminded me. Not only was it the epitome of any scary or haunted house you'd see in a movie...I think it was 3 or 4 nuns died next door within a few years. I'm trying to figure out how to phrase this so I
don't completely give the trolls who've dug up my personal info in the past more ammo by delivering where I lived in Canada on a silver platter. So apologies if the next part seems a bit disjointed...

I went to a Catholic school. Next door was this majestic, gorgeous house that was the convent for the nuns who either worked at the school or at the church across the street (affiliated with our school). The house next to the convent was the haunted house. Over say 2-3 years, these nuns kept dying young... maybe 30-45 kind of thing... from "natural causes". Now obviously as I'm much older I can appreciate it was probably just a fluke but at the time as kids, we were convinced the woman next door had something to do with it. Actually thinking back, even some of the adults did too because I remember hearing them talking about it. I assume because it fed in with this woman in this seriously dark and gloomy house, with grass and weeds so high that on the fluke years where it didn't snow they were up to your mid thighs if you were a kid and this scary ass jack o'lantern in her window that was reminiscent of Freddy Kruger's smile before he'd cut a bitch. And then of course she'd scream like a banshee if you rang her doorbell. The only thing missing was her chasing us with a broom.

Even when I got older, I always crossed the street when I had to pass her house at night even though I'd have to immediately cross back to go to our school's gym so I could spray booze in my mouth from the Rusk hairspray pump bottle that I'd filled full of various types of booze I could scam from my parents bar in the basement. And "get drunk" from those spritzes LOL

No joke, her house and the way she behaved was a friggen mind fuck for a kid.

Too damn funny! None of my neighbours have died lately, as far as I know - BUT - I really, really really need to weed my garden and kill those weeds, that seem to creep up, when you never expected them to .......... Oh - and I don't do jack o'laterns - YET!!!!!

LOL

RIP - My Dad xxxx

 

[hooleydooley]

Oh and those damn trolls so need to get a life!
Hope I haven't given too much info here for that to happen to me, but my voice might be a give away ..... lucky (or maybe not) I am out of real life atm