The unwritten rules of Halloween

Putting on my Old Man hat for a moment….

Taking two-thirds of Kiddos around for Trick-or-Treating last night and gee… have manners totally died?

Granted, it wasn’t across the board, but I did see lots of people just barging around, not waiting their turn, not saying “thank you”, being greedy rude little fucks.

And that was just the adults.

*sigh*

I know Halloween etiquette isn’t written down anywhere, but it seems to be understood that porch light on means “someone’s here, candy available, come knock”. Porch light off means “no candy, don’t knock, keep moving”.  That you wait your turn, letting the group already at the door finish up and allowing them to exit (since many doorways are narrow) before you go in for your turn. That you don’t ask for the candy, or for another piece; you get what you are given and you say “thank you” (even if it’s a pencil, a box of raisins, or a penny). That you don’t half-ass it: that you make some sort of effort with the costume, with the evening, and not just wandering around trolling for free candy.

But all these unwritten rules of Halloween seem like they might be dying and being lost.

Or… I’m just getting old, and more crotchety than I was yesterday.

Oh… and don’t trample on my lawn and through my garden! Use the walkway!