# What do you say when teens without costumes come for candy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 1, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763 "2003-11-01T00:24:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/21 "2003-11-01T13:17:52Z")
I give 'em some candy. I’m not going to get uptight about giving away 20 cents worth of goodies to a neighborhood kid just because they haven’t fully joined in with the spirit of things. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/22 "2003-11-01T15:57:48Z")
I’m a sucker. I pretend that they dressed as “Survivors” and give them the loot. Of course, I do this partly because every year I buy enough candy to feed the entire tri-state area and if I don’t get rid of it I will eat it all myself until I’m ready to vomit chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![SanguineSpider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SanguineSpider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanguineSpider)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/23 "2003-11-01T16:01:49Z")
I think they are opportunists and as such, I ask them why no costume. They just either stand there or make some lame ass excuse. I frown and hand them some cheap candy while the little ones in costume get the big ol’ candy bars and good stuff right in front of them. If they had called me a name like they did to **Abby** and if there were no little ones around, I’d have cussed them out like a friggin’ trucker on speed! NO need for that attitude with me, nosiree! I was in teen once and I had a lot more respect. I dressed up until the very last time I went trick or treating. ---
**Author:** ![fruitbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@fruitbat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fruitbat)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/24 "2003-11-01T17:00:46Z")
We had more than two hundred trick-or-treaters last night. There were several dozen of the older, no costume types. The all purpose urban costume choice was 50 cent. All it took was a Nets or Bullets jersey, which they all owned anyway. I must admit I give them candy. I select one of the lousiest type of candy I have and save the good stuff for those who make the effort. Forunately my neighbor gives em hell so I don’t feel too bad about given them candy. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/25 "2003-11-01T17:26:07Z")
I only had about 30 kids come by last night, and all were costumed. Most were elementary school age and below, but I think there were a couple of middle schoolers. Somebody without a costume would have gotten the rock-hard bubble gum. But as it was, I only gave out about half of the candy I bought. The guys at the office will be happy on Monday when I bring in the leftovers ---
**Author:** ![CakeOrDeath666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CakeOrDeath666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CakeOrDeath666)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/26 "2003-11-01T17:49:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Vlad Dracul \* > \*\*When I hear the knock on the door, I just reach over and flip off the light. They seem to get the message, and I guess they’re too lazy to vandalize anything. \*\* I used to hate when people did that. We’d superglue their letterbox shut 😃 ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/27 "2003-11-01T18:07:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CakeOrDeath666 \* > \*\*I used to hate when people did that. We’d superglue their letterbox shut 😃 \*\* Your location has you as being in “England”. Have you moved or has Halloween trick-or-treating hit England? ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/28 "2003-11-01T22:05:12Z")
- - - Rather beside the point now, but I say, ta ell with em. Come on now, they can at least get a little stuffed tiger and stick it to their shoulder and sprinkle some fake blood around. I mean really, where is the effort? ~ ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/29 "2003-11-01T23:40:32Z")
Well, for us it was raining rather heavily for most of the night, and we had about 1/3rd the crowd we were expecting. So everybody got a handful, costume or not. -lv ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/30 "2003-11-01T23:48:15Z")
Uncostumed teenagers-make up little “treat” bags. Full of tampons\*. 😃 \*[sub]Unused of course, you sickos![/sub] 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/31 "2003-11-02T02:29:50Z")
Last night I went dressed as a monkey -a mask and gloves, with long pants and a hoody, a costume I’ve had for about four years now. Half an hour into trick or treating I took off the mask, though. So I may have looked like an opportunist. If you saw me, I did carry the mask in my hand and kept the gloves on to show that I did have some kind of half-assed costume. But _I_ was collecting for UNICEF\< and turned down all candy anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/32 "2003-11-02T05:00:10Z")
Last night might well have been the warmest halloween we’ve ever had here, so a lot of mask-wearers were carrying instead of wearing. That’s not un-costumed, though. As long as they said “Well, I was this, but it got too hot” they get the same handful o’calories as everyone else. It’s the surly one’s that have made no attempt at a costume and don’t even have the grace to look apologetic/embarassed that bum me out. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/33 "2003-11-02T05:24:36Z")
Starting in the end of middle school, I stopped trick-or-treating and started handing out candy. I would give exactly one piece to anyone who wasn’t in costume and handfuls to little kids. I guess I was a hardass on my candy-grubbing classmartes ---
**Author:** ![stochastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@stochastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stochastic)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/34 "2003-11-02T06:32:43Z")
A couple of junior high schoolers came to my door sans costume: Me: What the heck are you guys supposed to be? Them: Ummmm…nothing? Me: Well, my God, but that’s the ugliest costume I’ve ever seen! Where can I get a mask like that? {hand them the cheapest candy from the bowl} Them: {sour look on faces} Ummm…gee, thanks… Me: {as they leave} Consider yourselves lucky if you don’t have me as a teacher in high school a couple years from now…or you’ll really know what horror is ! Bwahahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![MamaHen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@MamaHen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MamaHen)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/35 "2003-11-02T08:11:40Z")
I gave out candy to the costum-impaired youths. I remember being a teen and wondering if I was too old to trick or treat so I don’t mind them not dressing up. I even gave out candy to a cat last night. A girl was walking around with her cat on her shoulder and had a little bag for the cat so I gave him some. My neighbor refused to give candy to anyone over 10 and someone smashed a pumpkin in her mailbox. I had over 20 pumpkins out all night and none of them were touched, I think the candy paid off. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/36 "2003-11-02T14:00:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fnoonf \* > \*\*They say “Trick or treat!” > > I say “Trick,” and bring out the fog horn. \*\* Ohhhh…I like your style! ::digs out air horn for next year:: I don’t think I really got any uncostumed teens at my house- if I did I guess I’d give 'em candy- or maybe stock up on those cheap ass Halloween makeup kits that they put on clearance after Halloween and drop those in their bag. The best was a group of Jr. High aged boys dressed in their sisters dresses. Cute summer dresses with makeup, curled hair, jewelry and all. They rocked and got loads of candy. I had adult Trick or Treaters too and I gave them candy- in fact, I trick or treated at my friends houses after I was done handing stuff out. I don’t think you’re ever too old for trick or treating if you’re all dressed up. ---
**Author:** ![i\_like\_bacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@i\_like\_bacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/i_like_bacon)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/37 "2003-11-02T17:01:36Z")
i had about 4 13/14 year old boys in hooded sweatshirts at my door, immediately after school let out. it was way too early in my opinion. so i open the door, they say “trick or treat” i looked at them and said, “you don’t even have any costumes on” the one boy said “we are ummm monks” i looked at him and said “ummmm no” and shut the door. within five minutes they were back, each wearing a 5 quart plastic ice cream bucket on thier heads. this amused me no end so they got candy. (not the good stuff mind you, but they got some) ---
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/38 "2003-11-02T20:52:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dial \* > \*\* > > And they are at that awkward stage where they still like the kid stuff but are afraid of being thought childish. > In a couple of years they will be back in costume at frat keggers or company parties. > > \*\* I have to agree with Dial here. They’re at that awkward in-between stage where they’re technically too old (in popular opinion) to do kid stuff, but too young to do adult things. My son stopped trick or treating a few years ago, but I know he misses it sometimes. He went to a party this year and had fun, but made a comment about how much more fun halloween was when he was littler. He’d be so excited and filled with anticipation for days beforehand. Everyone likes treats and little surprises. Kids grow up fast enough anyway, why not let them hold on to this little bit of childhood as long as they can? ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/39 "2003-11-02T22:30:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by amarone \* > \*\*Your location has you as being in “England”. Have you moved or has Halloween trick-or-treating hit England? \*\* LMAO! You’re kidding right? I’m 18 and in England, and always trick or treated when i was a kid! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763/40 "2003-11-02T22:44:41Z")
It’s not about the older ones trick or treating (although really, I think 17 and up is WAY too old!), but not wearing costumes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-teens-without-costumes-come-for-candy/210763.md?page=3)