# Bad bad bad Boo! šŸŽƒ And a birthday too! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 20, 2023, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816 "2023-10-20T00:48:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/1 "2023-10-20T00:48:51Z")
Why does a grown woman (higher up in the office, no less) dress up like Dracula at a dialysis center? Whoo hoo! Good one. As I suffered through another bad dialysis treatment I was planning murder. Vampire is what I call the whole thing, anyway. I wanted to bite someone. She looked stupid on many levels, one was her theatre arts skills werenā€™t very good. The stage makeup was bad, bad, bad. And, I had to walk through the aforementioned candy table, encountering employees eating candy. Smelling candy. Seeing bubble gum smacking, just to get in the place. Get out of that haunted house to go to Walmart. Itā€™s a grandwrex birthday. He _needed_ Lego. He said. Mom said he needed tshirts. Had to fight through miles of candy and costume areas to get to these areas. Ugh. On to the grocery area. Everything imaginable is pumpkin flavored, spiced or orange and black. To produce. Ok. The pumpkins are fine. _Just As they Come_ donā€™t really need embellishments. Thereā€™s whole shelves of caramel, marshmallow, chocolate dipping stuff. Piles of apples. Do they need a produce bin full of bags of candy corn? Right near the sweet potatoes I was after. Come on! Who plans these things? Walk through 13 tables of baked goods, all Halloween themed to finally get to the check out. Lord. Iā€™m nearly out of there. Get home. Oh goody! Birthday cake. From a bakery. In a box. On my counter. Yay! (Probably some ice cream too) Another treat I _cannot_ have. Happy 9, you little ghoul! Nana loves you. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/2 "2023-10-20T02:56:21Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Another treat I _cannot_ have. {{{Becks}}} I so know this. My family totally ignored my dietary needs when I was put on a very limited diet to discover my allergies and intolerances. What, no gluten? You have to come over for the big family dinner though. SIL is making her famous lasagna. Could you make a cake or pie for dessert? I put up with this crap for about 3 years. But then my brotherā€™s daughter went vegan and I was asked to make a vegan dessert because she wouldnā€™t eat the cream, eggs, etc. I blew my top at them, in front of all off them about it much to their self-centered surprise and said why the hell should I accommodate my nieceā€™s dietary needs when they all refused to acknowledge mine? The only one who really understood where I was coming from was the niece. And it turns out that she has the same gluten issues that I do. So we share recipes and cut the rest of the family out. Becks, if I were you, Iā€™d give the dialysis place mgmt a piece of my mind about how freaking inconsiderate they are of their customers. Thereā€™s no reason that employee candy dish canā€™t be placed in their break room out of the sight of customers. And you should certainly point out how rude it is to do a vampire act in front of customers who have no choice but to put up with employee antics 3 times a week. Sure, make the workplace fun for employees, but also have a little thoughtfulness towards your customers. Glad you survived all the sugar at dialysis and at WallyWorld. Sorry it also invaded the home front Iā€™m sure you handled it with more grace than I would have. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/3 "2023-10-20T03:08:51Z")
The family does pretty good. Canā€™t deny the little ghoul of his birthday goodies. (It wouldnā€™t hurt him a bit, size wise to miss a pastry or two, just sayinā€™) Iā€™ll live. Next to get through Thanksgiving without too much drama. And of course , Christmas. This is gonna be a tough holiday season. I need to go to the desert and just eat weeds and seeds. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/4 "2023-10-20T12:02:00Z")
Dracula goes to a blood bank. ā€œI vould like to make a withdrawal!ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/5 "2023-10-20T20:30:26Z")
Feelinā€™ much more better today. Positively perky. Iā€™m not feeling so murderous. Has Halloween somehow became a bigger holiday than it was when I was a kid? I may have been sheltered from lots of it because I was never allowed to trick or treat. Seems huge to me. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/6 "2023-10-21T01:16:19Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Has Halloween somehow became a bigger holiday than it was when I was a kid? > I may have been sheltered from lots of it because I was never allowed to trick or treat. > > Seems huge to me. Itā€™s huge in the US. AFAIK, itā€™s been that way for generations. If you come to Canada, itā€™s just an occasion for kids to go around collecting free treats, not really a big deal, although you do find some enthusiastic store clerks ā€“ usually the female ones ā€“ getting into the spirit by dressing up as cats or witches. Thanksgiving (which we have in early October, because reasons) is not nearly as huge a deal as it is in the US, either. Only Christmas is afforded the same celebratory reverence as youse guys do. Speaking only for some of us, weā€™re generally so hammered on Caesars and martinis that we donā€™t really know what day it is anyway. And now that cannabis has been legalized, we often donā€™t even know what month it is. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/7 "2023-10-21T01:38:49Z")
Nice! Oh, btw. The Lilā€™wrekker is coming to New Brunswick in February. Her boyfriend has a conference there. St.Andrews, I think she said. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/8 "2023-10-21T01:52:07Z")
At one time in a previous life, I traveled extensively across Canada and the US. It was a wonderful way to appreciate this great country; and I believe I may have claimed to have visited all ten provinces and three territories. If so, I lied. I made hundreds of business-related trips, even to the far north, but somehow never had reason to visit the Yukon, Nunavut, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland. These places are as alien to me as the planet Neptune. From what I can see St. Andrews is a lovely little town in New Brunswick, but as for being able to offer any guidance I am ā€“ as I often am ā€“ useless. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/9 "2023-10-21T02:29:32Z")
Itā€™s ok. She wouldnā€™t take advice anyway. Iā€™ve looked it up and she keeps telling me to hush. Sheā€™s an explorer at heart and likes to find her own way in a new place. Iā€™m sure sheā€™ll have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/10 "2023-10-21T05:59:16Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I need to go to the desert and just eat weeds and seeds. Pick a better desert. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/11 "2023-10-22T00:13:54Z")
But stay away from the Desert of Dessert. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/12 "2023-10-22T01:06:48Z")
I live there. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/13 "2023-10-22T15:39:52Z")
@Beckdawrek Although it pains me to say this, avoid the Southwest, especially the Four Corners. The four-legged protein source in abundance is the detestable Deer Mouse. If you are eating weeds and seeds, they will be competing for them, too. These little shits carry the Hanta virus, one of those nasty bugs that by the time you figure out whatā€™s making you sick, youā€™re dead. When you walked in the dialysis center and saw the table of candy, you should have gone to Whoever Is In Charge and said, ā€œGet rid of it. Now.ā€ This is the occasion to use your Powers of Mom. You know what I mean: The Glare. The Crossed Arms. The Tone of Voice. The Speaking in Capitalized Letters. The Not Moving. Then you say, ā€œI have the TV station news desk on speed dial.ā€ I am majorly pissed off for you. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/14 "2023-10-22T23:05:44Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Has Halloween somehow became a bigger holiday than it was when I was a kid? Definitely. Especially since the plastic Christmas decor companies discovered that people will go all out for it. And I agree with @VOW, you really should make a scene. I think the folks who run the dialysis place are thoughtless and rude for the candy. Dracula is a tiny bit funny, but still rude. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/15 "2023-10-22T23:58:19Z")
I know everyone on dialysis isnā€™t a diabetic. As Iā€™ve said before. But they are sick with something. Candy and treats are maybe not good for them. I donā€™t know. I asked a person there why they did it. She said for visitors and others and for me not to be a Grinch, get in the spirit or some such crap. Hmmm? Itā€™s ok. Iā€™m not a troublemaker (usually). This will pass. On to the next one. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/16 "2023-10-23T01:16:55Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Itā€™s ok. Iā€™m not a troublemaker (usually). > This will pass. > > On to the next one. You truly are a sweetheart! šŸ’“ Speaking as someone who I think most people would judge to be an ā€œold fartā€, I feel that my mission on this earth, earned through yea these many years of trials and tribulations, is to invigorate the glorious autumn of my years by causing as much trouble as possible. You know that iconic image of an oldster at a stoplight battering on the hood of a car with his cane? I donā€™t have a cane, but that captures my spirit perfectly! šŸ˜ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/17 "2023-10-24T04:08:51Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Has Halloween somehow became a bigger holiday than it was when I was a kid? Youā€™re a Boomer, right? Well, when you were a kid, the generation before you was pretty much of the opinion that Halloween was a holiday for the Boomers. And they had pretty much all the money. These days, the Boomers have a much larger piece of the money pie. Add to that, the Boomers never abandoned the notion that Halloween was for the Boomers, and yes, itā€™s a _much_ bigger holiday than it was when we were kids. Subsequent generations have also played a role in this. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/18 "2023-10-24T04:22:20Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I asked a person there why they did it. She said for visitors and others and for me not to be a Grinch, get in the spirit or some such crap. Hmmm? She canā€™t even get the right antagonist for the holiday? For Halloween, she should be telling you not to be a Grindle.\* (Actually, what she SHOULD be doing is apologizing and clearing the sweets away. Who _visits_ dialysis centers?) \*antagonist in _Bea Wolf_ by Zach Wienersmith. Yes, it is about what it sounds like. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/19 "2023-10-24T04:23:46Z")
I supposed Iā€™m a late bloomer boomer. And I was seriously sheltered. Especially around Halloween. Daddy always steered me to something else when my sibs were trick or treating. Sometimes I got to go to track with him. I had a weird childhood. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816/20 "2023-10-24T13:33:39Z")
Bah, humbug to the dialysis staff. If they really want to leave out bowls of treats, steer them to the Oriental Trading Company, where they can buy mountains of silly little goodies, guaranteed to break within five minutes. The stuff is garishly colored, and they feature big bags of party favor junk at cheap prices. These toys would get people laughing, and I bet laughter is a rare commodity at a dialysis center. If they insist on putting candy out, itā€™s gotta be sugar free. ~VOW [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-boo-and-a-birthday-too/991816.md?page=2)