Halloween is for kids, isn’t it?
In other words, it became the one day of the year in which adults could blow off stress by mocking the incredible complexity of modern life.
In more recent years, however, the “anything goes” mentality of Halloween for adults has given way to caution about wearing costumes offensive to others or being recorded on video at a party letting yourself go a little too much.
As our hyper-sensitive culture continues to lose its sense of humor — as people are ready to complain or sue at every perceived slight — Halloween is starting to fall victim, as well.
More and more schools and communities are banning Halloween celebrations.
I suppose it makes sense, then, for adults to try to eke out some Halloween fun by trick-or-treating for candy, as well.
When I did it in the ‘70s kids were everywhere working overtime to fill their pillowcases. You hardly saw a parent anywhere.
But now more parents are dressing up as they trick-or-treat with their kids and some even want to get treats for their efforts, apparently.
More college kids are hitting the neighborhoods around their campus to collect free candy — after a raucous happy hour at the pub, no doubt.
Food & Wine offers a tongue-in-cheek set of five commandments for adults who wish to trick-or-treat.
Wear a great costume, the magazine says, but it’s best to chaperone a kid, so you don’t appear like a total weirdo.
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Copyright 2022 Tom Purcell, All Rights Reserved. Credit: Cagle.com
