Speaking from another country in USA's sphere of influence, I can attest that quite a few people here are annoyed that this obviously over-commercialized holiday has been imported without them having a say. They find it rude that kids suddenly demand candy under threat of vandalism due to a foreign tradition that they themselves do not observe.

I personally am a little ambivalent about this sneak implementation by commercial interests, but in the end I can appreciate another excuse to throw a party. I also like that the imported tradition is so obviously pagan in origin, to offset all the christian holidays in my country. If a little candy to the kids is the price I have to pay, so be it.

Nevertheless, I will forgo tonight's celebration in favor of a Rakfisk party. Yum yum!

Any country that refuses to see women dressed in scantily clad 'costumes' doesn't know what's good for 'em.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Rakfisk party ... mmmm. Raw fish fermented for 3 months or a bag of candy ... Tough call.

(no, I'm sure it's lovely)

I don't know what to tell you. Gen and I went out and left a sign on our door declaring we had nothing. I don't feel like we were being uncaring for the holiday as we were downtown having a grand ol' time. I guess it just matters where you go. Here in the states, you want a high density area like a apartment complex. People just get candy just because they don't feel like turning that many kids down. Plus, how can you beat 4 different residences in the space that'd normally only fit 1 home.

In LA it's a reason to party and for chicks to dress like sluts. Which is cool, because the girls in LA typically have rocking bods, and last night at a party I saw a Pretty Woman hooker costume, and the dress was shooooort. Also plenty of cleavage bearing nurses and what other stupid themed costume that is basically a short, short skirt and a low top. "Oh look, I'm a Leprechaun because my miniskirt and tube top is green and has a clover on it."

But yeah, your kids and candy and all that, dag.

It just really isn't a thing in Australia, you can't get shitty at Australia for not following another country's customs, no matter how hard the commercial businesses want us to.

I actually went trick or treating with my kids this year with a family who's mother is from the states, and it went quite well, lots of treats were handed out.

But....

I think it's far better to do Halloween parties in Australia rather than trying the whole trick or treat thing, it'll never be as big as the states, it's just the way it is here.

It'd be like an Englishman getting shitty at another country for not celebrating Guy Fawkes (cool holiday ), or me getting shitty at the US for not celebrating the Melbourne Cup.

As kids we had Halloween parties each year, and they're great. People here are more than happy to do the dress up thing and have spooky goings on, just don't expect people to be ready with lollies if you go out and about.