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[Rootbeer]

Came across a striking headline...

"Kids from poorer neighborhoods keep coming to trick-or-treat in mine. Do I have to give them candy?"

I couldn't pass on such an inviting hook, even if it's on one of those advice columns that seem to be so full of trolls asking ridiculous questions. I'm not sure if that's the case here, but it very well could be...

Dear Prudence,
I live in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country, but on one of the more “modest” streets—mostly doctors and lawyers and family business owners. (A few blocks away are billionaires, families with famous last names, media moguls, etc.) I have noticed that on Halloween, what seems like 75 percent of the trick-or-treaters are clearly not from this neighborhood. Kids arrive in overflowing cars from less fortunate areas. I feel this is inappropriate. Halloween isn’t a social service or a charity in which I have to buy candy for less fortunate children. Obviously this makes me feel like a terrible person, because what’s the big deal about making less fortunate kids happy on a holiday? But it just bugs me, because we already pay more than enough taxes toward actual social services. Should Halloween be a neighborhood activity, or is it legitimately a free-for-all in which people hunt down the best candy grounds for their kids?

—Halloween for the 99 Percent

You can read her response in the article if you care to.

By this point, even after I thought back to my own childhood and our Halloween rituals, I was a bit skeptical of the report. Some comments on Reddit seem to back it up though:

Wow, I thought we were the only ones who had to put up with this type of craziness on Halloween! We lived in Military Housing in NM and we were INUNDATED every Halloween. Cars would pull in and 15 people would pile out of each one. The road into Housing would be lined with parked cars. I had a big BIN of candy and still ran out. Teenage couples with their infants would trick or treat, the baby would be in a costume and they would be dressed up like they were on a date and each one would have a Walmart bag for their candy. Only the little kids would be in costume, and EVERYBODY expected candy, even the parents. There is a huge illegal immigrant population in Eastern NM and I think every single one of them came to our house and brought all of their friends and half of the residents of Chihuahua along as well, and most of them dropped their candy wrappers and beer bottles and soda cans and water bottles and cigarette butts on the ground and left them there. Nov 1st was spent cleaning up our streets and yards, I even found dirty diapers. I spent more on Halloween candy in 2 yrs than I had in the previous 10. And yeah the local cops had to patrol and direct traffic, base security as well. I don't think we got as as many as 5000, but I am certain I had at least 2-300 people come to my door. There would be so many people in my yard I couldn't see the grass. The first year I put decorations out, then I overheard a couple of women talking about coming back "later" for one of my decorations. No more decorations after that, a lot of us had stuff stolen from our yards. The 3d year we said "fuck this" and went to Texas. The 4th and 5th Halloweens we turned out our lights, locked the doors and just went out and walked around in the craziness. I have never minded giving out candy but I have my limits! Throw trash in my yard AND call me a "puta" because I wont give you MORE candy, yeah fuck ALL yall....

I really didn't know it could be such a huge problem for well-off neighborhoods (I guess military bases can seem pretty attractive hotspots in the right areas too.) I definitely remember going to some of the richer neighborhoods as a kid to Trick-or-Treat for the perceived better candy haul, which often enough turned out to be true, based on previous experience. We still worked our own hood though, mostly just out of respect for the neighbors but also because, hey, more easy candy.

Anyway, what experiences did you all have growing up Trick-or-Treating? Did you go out of your way to visit nicer areas or no? And if you have kids that you'll be going with this year, what's your game plan?

Lastly, what on the attitudes of these commenters who are representing themselves as being overly burdened by poor people coming into their neighborhoods not just to reap the candy but also possibly being disrespectful in the process? Should they just accept it as part of the cost of living in a nice area or do they have some legitimate points.

 

[Cuphead]

As long as the kid is wearing a costume hit them with some candy!

If the rich refuse let's hit them with some eggs!

 

[TheYanger]

Most of the people I see doing this do it because the neighborhoods they live in are dangerous rather than specifically to get more candy. You want trick or treating to be as fun for the kids as possible after all

 

[Amalthea]

It would be fitting if one of those kids dressed up as a beheaded Marie Antoinette.

 

[Erico]

We did this sometimes as kids.
Rich neighborhoods gave out those king size Butterfingers and Reese's. I mean, god damn.

To be fair, we at least knew one kid who lived in the neighborhood, and we all "suggested" trick or treating with him.

 

[Zombine]

I believe in trick or treating where you have a connection. Do you have a relative or friend in said neighborhood? Absolutely. Have fun.

Are you exploiting the fact that you know a neighborhood gives out the "good stuff" because you perceive it to be "rich" AND you cause havok? Fuck off.

Is your neighborhood so bad you have to relocate to somewhere safer so your kids can have a good time? Yes. Show your children a good time.

 

[Hip Hop]

This is really a thing where I'm from. Pretty much a lot of the parents (Most are really well off, not rich, but not poor either) drive up to the nice areas. I'm from a smaller town where the big "city" is about 7 miles away. They drive up to the city to the nice neighboorhoods to take their kids trick-or-treating. It's not that there is a lack of people giving out candy in this town, people just expect "nicer" candy grabs up there.

EDIT: LOL at that reddit comment. Illegal Immigration, right!.

 

[daviyoung]

sounds like they're just getting into the spirit of the holiday

 

[Buddha Beam]

I grew up in a rich area, and there were always kids who clearly weren't from around there trick or treating en masse, so this kind of thing has been happening for a long time. I don't live in a rich area now by any means, but I still get kids being brought in who don't seem to be from around my part of town. IE - I live in a predominantly white area. I don't mind giving candy though. Whatever their parents reasoning for coming here - be it better or more candy or just a safer area - I'll give them candy. We usually give away king sized bars too.

I won't give candy to adults, though... but very rarely do they even ask anyway. And if they're teenagers, they're getting something from the Shit Bin, which is usually last year's Christmas candy canes and cough drops. Haha.

 

[Apt101]

When we moved from one-step above the projects to a middle class neighborhood (dad got a huge promotion), I remember witnessing this - coming across kids from my old school who came to my new neighborhood to trick or treat. Nothing as bad as what is reported by these people, maybe 100 kids, I guess. Not car loads unloading like they were dropping kids off at a ball game.

Anyways, everyone who lived there was well aware and did not care. It's candy you're giving away anyways, and there was always some left over. Plus, I mean, cmon. Poor kids should get a good Halloween too, and I remember the bleak Halloweens from that old neighborhood. Half a bag of the crappiest candy by the end of the night, every other apartment, duplex, or house not participating, etc. The middle class neighborhood was like heaven - had to go home and unload before finishing off the second half of the block. People we knew inviting us in, parties going on, police actually there helping kids cross the street.

 

[anarckitty]

There are families that trick or treat in my neighborhood who pretty clearly don't live there. It really doesn't bother me though. The only people I don't give candy to are adults or teenagers that couldn't bother dressing up.

 

[Rootbeer]

There are families that trick or treat in my neighborhood who pretty clearly don't live there. It really doesn't bother me though. The only people I don't give candy to are adults or teenagers that couldn't bother dressing up.

The very last time I sent trick-or-treating, it was a last minute choice spurred on by a few friends in our early teens. I felt very awkward and stupid doing it without a costume. One of the low points of my life. Granted it was only about 10 houses and thankfully we didn't pursue it further that night.

Nobody do this. Please. Learn from me. Earlier in my life I had some really great times doing it (in costume of course, and boy there were some interesting ones.)

I agree, only kids and if you're not costumed then you're disrespecting the spirit of the holiday and the person you're begging for candy.

 

[B!TCH]

It's just candy, sheesh.

You would think they were being forced to give out gold bars the way these miserable fucks complain about it. People are so fucking selfish and stupid.

 

[Rootbeer]

It's just candy, sheesh.

You would think they were being forced to give out gold bars the way these miserable fucks complain about it. People are so fucking selfish and stupid.

Ha! No i completely agree, I basically feel that they preetty much owe it to their community the same way as the other homes in their town do. If you live in a neighborhood that is more clean, better lit, full of larger homes than in other parts of town (and thus more likely to have more people inside hence more likely to give out candy)... you have to know that you are inviting this kind of attention on Halloween. Probably same goes for Carolers on Christmas too but, I really don't know. Never lived in such a neighborhood.

 

[anaron]

We used to journey around like the goddamn fellowship to fill our pillowcases with candy. You rich assholes better provide.

It's just candy, sheesh.

You would think they were being forced to give out gold bars the way these miserable fucks complain about it. People are so fucking selfish and stupid.

Haha, exactly.

 

[travisbickle]

I'm guessing the original letter is a joke, because what normal person would consider their taxes as payment to poor people to buy candy?

 

[Rootbeer]

I'm guessing the original letter is a joke, because what normal person would consider their taxes as payment to poor people to buy candy?

it doesn't come off as the sort of letter a 1%er would write to me, but I feel like the general feelings conveyed in it may be present in that sort of community so it got me thinking.

 

[anarckitty]

The second letter I can kind of see where that person is coming from. It would tick me off too if someone stole my decorations or left trash in my yard.

 

[Doczu]

It's just candy, sheesh.

You would think they were being forced to give out gold bars the way these miserable fucks complain about it. People are so fucking selfish and stupid.

B!TCH i think you need to take it easy. Not everyone is fond with giving shit to other people, and especially towards totally unknown people who hoard like locust just because they think they'll get better candy.

 

[Septimius]

It is a problem when parents truck their kids off to "better off areas", but I think it is hilarious the way the person in the first letter justifies her idea by saying "We pay more than enough taxes". Holy crap, America just doesn't get taxation.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Obviously this makes me feel like a terrible person, because what’s the big deal about making less fortunate kids happy on a holiday? But it just bugs me, because we already pay more than enough taxes toward actual social services. Should Halloween be a neighborhood activity, or is it legitimately a free-for-all in which people hunt down the best candy grounds for their kids?

There aren't enough facepalms

 

[snacknuts]

 

[FOOTE]

If you're handing out candy and if the kids come to your door, you give them some candy. There's nothing else to discuss. If you don't want kids coming up to your door, turn off your front lights and don't answer the door.

 

[Donos]

Came across a striking headline...

"Kids from poorer neighborhoods keep coming to trick-or-treat in mine. Do I have to give them candy?"

 

[Liberty4all]

I remember as an older kid we would actively seek out affluent neighborhoods (early 90's). So its not just parents, the kids know where to go too.

As an adult, when I used to live in the suburbs I would give out generous amounts of candy and aim to run out by 7 to 730 at the latest. After that, turn off lights and lock up. So it didn't matter the number of kids coming through, once I was out I was out.

Worked well too, youngest kids typically were out early, the after 8 kids were generally teenagers.

 

[sangreal]

My mom always took us to the other side of town to go trick or treating. Where I live (and lived) there are no trick or treaters or people giving out candy. Every year, I'm forced to buy a ton of candy just in case but I only ever get 1 group tops

 

[Blood Red Sky]

My mom always took us to the other side of town to go trick or treating. Where I live (and lived) there are no trick or treaters or people giving out candy. Every year, I'm forced to buy a ton of candy just in case but I only ever get 1 group tops

And then you have to 'dispose' of it yourself. Damn shame.

Damn, delicious, shame.

 

[sangreal]

And then you have to 'dispose' of it yourself. Damn shame.

Damn, delicious, shame.

haha, exactly

 

[HappyBivouac]

I want to believe this is a joke/fake, but there are plenty of people (read: scumbags) who do legitimately think this way.

 

[Starwolf_UK]

I think people prey on the rich neighborhoods trying to get cash from guilty people who run out of free food. The examples in the OP are really taking the piss though.

UK here so tradition not observed much but when your only visitors are a load of teenagers not in costume who want cigarettes (and where actually trying to break in) it is time to throw the towel in. Oh yeah those teenagers also smashed the pumpkin, cunts.

 

[ersocaster]

Even though I lived in a poorer neighborhood, I never had to actually do this. When I was a kid, the people where I lived made a huge effort to make sure the kids got a good Halloween. Only local stores really gave out the huge candy bars, but you would get a good haul if you wanted.

I only went to a nicer neighborhood once. I had a friend who lived there and was invited to go with him. It was nice. I understand why people would want to go to places like that. The extra candy is nice, but not having to walk around in a bad neighborhood is also very nice.

 

[CarpeDeezNutz]

Some of the rich people would give out money instead of candy when I was a kid.

 

[CadetMahoney]

There are families that trick or treat in my neighborhood who pretty clearly don't live there.

Can they tell by how poor their costumes look?

The only people I don't give candy to are adults or teenagers that couldn't bother dressing up.

pretty much.

 

[Drazgul]

Clearly what they need is a gated community, it won't do to have all the riffraff walking around freely, even for one night of the year.

 

[Stormwatch]

I used to live in a part of a town that was sorta the diamond in the rough and people would drive to our neighborhood all the time to trick or treat. We would go all out with decorations and usually get about 600 visitors. The only thing that would ever piss me off is when teenagers wearing a hoodie and a mask would complain about getting "only one" piece of candy. Otherwise the trick or treaters were usually appreciative and I loved being able to provide them with a fun holiday.

 

[Saganator]

Some of those families are probably coming from apartment/condo complexes where almost no one gives out candy.

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

Some of those families are probably coming from apartment/condo complexes where almost no one gives out candy.

That's my experience. A lot of people from apartments do it. Mainly I think because apartment dwellers are single, hate kids and don't give out candy.
Sometimes you'll see a minivan pull up with what seems like 70-80 kids. That's when you panic, because there's no way you prepared for that many kids. My solution for a while was to reach into my empty bowl, pretend to put something in the bag, while grabbing a few candies from the kid's bag. You can get through the night doing that. It's not the greatest feeling, but it works.

 

[flaxknuckles]

That's my experience. A lot of people from apartments do it. Mainly I think because apartment dwellers are single, hate kids and don't give out candy.
Sometimes you'll see a minivan pull up with what seems like 70-80 kids. That's when you panic, because there's no way you prepared for that many kids. My solution for a while was to reach into my empty bowl, pretend to put something in the bag, while grabbing a few candies from the kid's bag. You can get through the night doing that. It's not the greatest feeling, but it works.

LOL, that's so messed up

 

[andycapps]

We live in a middle class neighborhood, but I think we're going to go to a upper class neighborhood this year. The problem with our neighborhood is that most people are like us and have young kids so they're all out trick or treating. Nobody home to pass candy out.

 

[JABEE]

I think it does kind of mess things up for the kids that actually live in the area that is essentially being abandoned by the kids who leave for upper-class neighborhoods. People don't even bother giving out candy when no one really shows up. In neighborhoods where things are dangerous, I can understand, but I have noticed that Halloween seems to be more and more about being dropped off at rich neighborhoods or going to the mall. That kind of ruins Halloween for the kids that don't have transportation and are stuck walking around empty streets and walking up to unlit houses.

People who view giving out some candy to poor kids as akin to taxes are stupid.

 

[AlexMogil]

It would be fitting if one of those kids dressed up as a beheaded Marie Antoinette.

This is better than anything I could come up with. Maybe ever.

 

[Blood Red Sky]

That's my experience. A lot of people from apartments do it. Mainly I think because apartment dwellers are single, hate kids and don't give out candy.
Sometimes you'll see a minivan pull up with what seems like 70-80 kids. That's when you panic, because there's no way you prepared for that many kids. My solution for a while was to reach into my empty bowl, pretend to put something in the bag, while grabbing a few candies from the kid's bag. You can get through the night doing that. It's not the greatest feeling, but it works.

You are an evil genius.

 

[anarckitty]

Can they tell by how poor their costumes look?



pretty much.

It has nothing to do with the costumes. The neighborhood that I live in has maybe two Hispanic families. Of course I guess the high number of Hispanics that come trick or treating may know the two families in our neighborhood, I have no idea. It doesn't bother me or anything, it's just something I've noticed over the years.

 

[ZealousD]

My solution for a while was to reach into my empty bowl, pretend to put something in the bag, while grabbing a few candies from the kid's bag. You can get through the night doing that. It's not the greatest feeling, but it works.

Dude.

Seriously?

 

[n64coder]

And if they're teenagers, they're getting something from the Shit Bin, which is usually last year's Christmas candy canes and cough drops. Haha.

Ha ha ha. Genius!

My solution for a while was to reach into my empty bowl, pretend to put something in the bag, while grabbing a few candies from the kid's bag. You can get through the night doing that. It's not the greatest feeling, but it works.

You too!

I'm laughing hysterically.

I always thought if you wanted maximum candy, you would go for those apartment/condo complexes rather than the rich neighborhoods where the houses are really spread apart with long driveways.

Growing up, I lived in a suburban neighborhood that had small homes very close to each other. I had no problem filling up my bag in a short period of time. I would go back to a couple of houses that gave out good stuff like FritoLay Corn Chips or a big candy bar.

 

[deadlast]

I used to see people roll up in my old neighborhood with a van full of kids, in some last-minute looking costumes. We didn't live in some ridiculous 1%er neighborhood, our neighborhood was just massive with some highrollers sprinkled in it. I didn't mind having non-nieghborhood kids trick-or-treat at all. I remember growing up in a rural part of the country and having maybe 4 houses to trick-or-treat at, within a 30 mile radius. So I know what it's like to have a shitty Halloween. No kid deserves a shitty Halloween.

 

[Donos]

That's my experience. A lot of people from apartments do it. Mainly I think because apartment dwellers are single, hate kids and don't give out candy.
Sometimes you'll see a minivan pull up with what seems like 70-80 kids. That's when you panic, because there's no way you prepared for that many kids. My solution for a while was to reach into my empty bowl, pretend to put something in the bag, while grabbing a few candies from the kid's bag. You can get through the night doing that. It's not the greatest feeling, but it works.

Haha. Survival of the fittest.

 

[RPGamer92]

As long as they're wearing costumes, I don't see the problem with giving them candy.

 

[Cheech]

People who view giving out some candy to poor kids as akin to taxes are stupid.

They're called "assholes". We get about 600 trick or treaters from the outlying boonies every year, and I'm more than happy to give them candy. We buy around 6 of the giant Costco bags of chocolate/misc candy every year, costs like $90. I don't care.

I grew up in the boonies with no subdivisions around, and my childhood was full of driving 30 miles every Halloween just to fill up my bucket about a quarter way. It sucked.

 

[block tower]

if your respectful and reasonable then i think theres no issue going to other neighborhoods; but if your trashing other peoples places and disrespecting the home owners then you can fuck off.