Say It ... Say It!

Seriously, Is It So Hard to Spit Out Three Freakin' Words in Exchange for Free Candy?

THERE ARE certain moments in your life when you realize that the irreverence and carefree nature of youth are gone forever. For me, Halloween is one of those moments. Now that I'm a homeowner in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, I target October 31 as annual proof of societal breakdown. Festooned in their costumes, they knock on the door, you open up, and they ... just stand there, bags opened and held out at the ready. It's a simple transaction -- or it should be. They say three words, one syllable each, and you give them free candy. Yet too damn many of them stand mutely and expectantly, waiting impatiently for you to drop their loot into the bag. You have to beg them to say the words. And afterward, you know they're walking away, muttering to each other, "Man, what's with the old dude?"

Maybe I'll dress up as youthful irreverence today. Surely no one would recognize me. Happy Halloween, all.

Comments

[michael smith]

actually, the few kids that come here *usually* say it. since i get about a half dozen kids on a good year, though, i'm not sure it's really a representative sample.

[Jeff Martin]

I even remember - *gasp* - conversing with the neighbors. God forbid.

[Tom Durso]

Well, gentlemen, we had quite a few kids here last night, and on more than one occasion I had to ask them to say the words. I feel soooooo freakin' old.

[Bill]

I know what you mean...I have to constantly remind my own kids to say "Trick or Treat," "Thank You" and "Happy Halloween." Not hard but they are in such a rush to go tot he next house they don't want to stop for long. People always seem pleasantly surprised though when my kids remember to say these three little things.