Christmas and Chanukah are often celebrated as part of the season of giving, but Halloween also brings joy by handing out candy to neighborhood kids. However, one man on Reddit might just earn the title of Halloween's Scrooge due to his frustration with children from less affluent areas trick-or-treating in his upscale suburb.
It's hard to imagine someone being upset about kids trick-or-treating on Halloween, but that's precisely what this man expressed on the AITA (Am I The A**hole) subreddit. He asked if he was wrong for being bothered by the influx of trick-or-treaters outside his neighborhood.
The man shared that, over the past few years, he and his neighbors have noticed an increasing number of children coming to their neighborhood for Halloween.
This trend has led some residents to stop participating by turning off their lights, yet the number of visitors keeps growing. His annoyance didn't sit well with his girlfriend, who argued that Halloween is about sharing and that it shouldn't matter whether the kids are locals.
She also pointed out that some children might come to their neighborhood because their areas are too dangerous for trick-or-treating.
The man described the scene with cars lining the streets, some with out-of-state plates, as his suburb is just over a state line. He questioned whether he was wrong to be annoyed by parents who bring carloads of kids to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood they don't live in.
The response from commenters was overwhelmingly critical. One particular comment was succinct and pointed: “Yep, and sorry about your privilege,” it read.
Another commenter elaborated, explaining that he isn't obligated to hand out candy or give more than he can afford. If he doesn't want to participate or runs out of candy, he can turn off his porch light and continue his night. However, deciding which kids deserve Halloween treats makes him “an a**hole.”
The commenter asked him to imagine how it would feel for a child to be turned away, mainly due to something superficial like their skin color or economic status.
Others noted the challenges of trick-or-treating in urban areas. Many families live in neighborhoods dominated by apartment buildings and businesses, with few single-family homes, making it hard to find places to give out candy.
One commenter pointed out that these children are just as deserving of Halloween fun as those from wealthier areas, suggesting that the man's attitude might stem from unexamined biases.
A few people did agree with the man, feeling that an excessive number of trick-or-treaters from outside the neighborhood could be overwhelming.
One person mentioned a nearby area that attracts thousands of extra kids, calling it excessive and suggesting that only some of these children come from underprivileged backgrounds.
It's disheartening to think that some people envy giving candy to kids from disadvantaged areas. Still, seeing many others stand up for the spirit of giving that Halloween embodies is heartening. When celebrated with the right attitude, holidays can be an excellent way to bring people together.
Despite its spooky theme, Halloween is fundamentally about the joy of seeing children fill their bags with candy and toys, sharing in a night of fun and mischief. This joy should be available to all children, regardless of their parent's income.