The Revitalist

The NY Times has an interesting article on the rising backlash against trick or treating in England. The more traditional Bonfire Night with the burning of the Guy Fawkes effigy is dying out, largely due to the expense of mandated safety measures (don't get me started on this one - as if people haven't been torching Guy since the 17th century), and being replaced by a version of "American-style" trick or treating that is largely being interpreted as organized mugging. A recent survey reported that over fifty percent of people had pretended not to be home to avoid trick or treaters.

Personally, I think that Halloween is wonderful – one of those moments where the community opens up – but it works because it's a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The unhappiness in the UK seems to come from the fact that the behavior has been transplanted without all the history and unspoken rules that govern the event (it's not really about lust for chocolate). If I were British, I would spend my efforts reviving the Bonfire Night.

Happy Halloween.