logoalt Hacker News

Halloween is a crass American import – I'll never indulge it

23 points • by penguin_booze • today at 11:27 AM • 29 comments • view on HN

Comments

HWR_14 • today at 2:21 PM

A day about eating candy, wearing fun costumes and watching a popular genre of movies is more popular than a day commemorating a failed terrorist attack in a sectarian conflict? Especially between two religious groups that have shrinking memberships in the population.

Let me shake my hand at the clouds and swear my undying loyalty to how much better than me and innately deserving of rulership a specific family dynasty is.

➕ show 1 reply
vintermann • today at 12:37 PM

But if we aren't homogenized, how can we market the Halloween special episodes, the Halloween merch, the Halloween hamburger menu and the Halloween latte?

Thanksgiving seems to be a harder sell.

kashunstva • today at 1:45 PM

Like many holidays, it can be overdone. But kids have fun; and flirty costumes aren’t required. The last time that I took my daughter out before she aged out of the tradition, we went as plague doctor and victim. We worked for weeks on the setup. It was a lot of fun for the family.

The pseudo-holiday I object to is “Black Friday” which shouldn’t be a thing here in Canada, but it is now. It’s ridiculous. Our Thanksgiving is in October, not November. And given the official anti-Canadian policy in the U.S. federal government, I couldn’t be any less interested in U.S. marketing exports.

➕ show 2 replies
jamesholden • today at 1:46 PM

I personally like that people can take a day to be silly and even dress up and try things they never have before. If you don't like the commercialization of it, don't play into it. Getting some makeup and a few accessories, and making lasting memories with friends and family only sound positive to me. Perhaps this is why it is more popular now than Easter; as anyone can participate sans religion.

thenthenthen • today at 12:48 PM

In some places in Asia, Halloween is commodified and appropriated to voice dissent. It was crazy to see. It is now crushed (some times literally rip)

➕ show 1 reply
epsteingpt • today at 12:25 PM

Totally crass. Who wants an excuse to have fun, have kids and co-eds dress up in flirty clothing, and eat candy?

Who would EVER think that's a good idea.

America sucks.

➕ show 4 replies
junek • today at 12:46 PM

Fun is cool actually. That’s my hot take

rayiner • today at 12:56 PM

It’s a collective action problem. The government should ban it.

etempleton • today at 2:43 PM

God forbid kids have a fun holiday to get candy and dress up.

verdverm • today at 11:53 AM

technically, American imported it from Celtic traditions and the source is much closer to home for UK

https://www.historyhit.com/what-are-the-origins-of-halloween...

➕ show 2 replies
Kevin_Flynn • today at 12:15 PM

tl;dr

Former editor of GQ hates America and thinks brits are dumb for having fun on Halloween.

Played dress up at GQ for entire career, hates people who dress up. :|

➕ show 2 replies