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Sometimes people understand the word ‘culture’ in a very narrow sense. They may think that culture only includes art and very old traditions, but actually it also has a wider definition. It also encompasses the behavioral norms, the way we dress, the way we speak in different contexts and other aspects of our lives. 

We can say that the way we celebrate occasions also is a part of our culture. Festivities always attract the attention of people and it unites them even if they are from different cultures. However, we do not always understand why people in other places have certain traditions. For example, non-Americans have a lot of questions about Halloween because it is not that popular in places other than the USA and other people may view their dedication to the occasion as weird.

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Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31 and it is believed that it has pagan roots. The customs may be influenced by folk folk customs and beliefs from the Celtic-speaking countries. The theory that is the most popular says that the celebration comes from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain.

Like many other celebrations, it is believed that the Samhain festival was Christianized by the early Church but others claim that it may have been Christian from the start. It is difficult to say as it evolved through many centuries and nobody held records of these kinds of things. 

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MizAdeleM
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be a yes. I have my Halloween tree set up in the front hallway, and my headstones out front. Halloween-...e600c3.jpg Halloween-2003-6165a05e600c3.jpg

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The Samhain festival marked the end of the harvest season and it meant the beginning of winter, when more than half of the day was dark so it was also a mysterious time. It was believed that on the day of the transition the boundaries between this and the other world would be less defined. 

People believed that at this time spirits could enter their world and among gods, fairies and demons, their lost relatives could come to their home too. That is where all the treats come from as people would make a big dinner out of the harvest to make the spirits feel welcomed. 

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MizAdeleM
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will be celebrating my first British Christmas this year, when I travel to visit family in the UK.

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Don't Look
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This year would have failed you. The decorations everywhere are all gone, have been for a couple weeks. In fact, I would wager that black friday is going to be a s**t show considering that it's already been made public that merchandise is going to be short this year.

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The Christian influence can be seen in the tradition that many Church festivities would start the day before, on the vigil as Halloween is the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day on 1 November. That is where the name of Halloween actually comes from. 

If the pagans believed that the October 31 night is when spirits come to Earth in Christian tradition it is explained that on that day people should spend time honoring the saints and praying for the recently departed souls who have yet to reach Heaven. 

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AndThenICommented
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s some irony that the OP used the term “y’all” while calling the culture strange haha 😂

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Julie Harden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's quicker to say "the 4th", "Halloween", and "Christmas". For me, it's all about efficiency.

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Skara Brae
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few people rent costumes. Many purchase them, but they are such poor quality they may not last long. Some wear them again in subsequent years. People often make costumes from old, used clothing, or sometimes by sewing.

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Halloween didn’t become widely celebrated in North America until the 19th century when Irish and Scottish mass immigrated to the continent. Over time it evolved to this huge holiday that we see now and its influence can be felt all over the world.

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Even though it was commercialized in modern times Halloween is not a superficial festivity without no meaning and created just for fun. It has some meaning to it and it has analogues in other countries too when the dead are honored and in some countries people will just light a candle, go to church or cemetery and in others they will celebrate this occasion with more bang and pizzazz.

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Lady of the Mountains
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

think...sweetened condensed milk? but in the texture of wax? meh, if you're european you probably wont like it

Don't Look
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is hilarious. On average, americans must love candy corn. It sells out every year. It's the cheapest candy, it's completely disgusting.

Don't Look
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On a side note, I can eat approximately 3 pieces every year before I remember that I genuinely cannot stand them. Also, I always go for the chocolate looking ones completely expecting them to actually taste like chocolate and when they don't I immediately wish I could spit them out. Every. damn. time.

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Music Mania
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

like you made a caramel (the soft chew kind of toffee) but forgot the milk and butter so it is just sugar that gets a little chewy

Tigersquid Kittydoggy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I like candy corn! I mean it’s disgusting but also the best candy in the world

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Sara Rosen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tastes like stale washcloth flavored cardboard. We hate it, but we LOVE to hate it.

Skara Brae
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's very, very sugary, but with grease so that it's not very hard. The flavor is a little buttery and something more I could never figure out. I guess it's a poor attempt at a corn flavor. It's a little softer than a fresh piece of gum. I liked it as a small kid, but once ate too much and felt sick. I have no desire to eat any more.

Evil Little Thing
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure it's butter flavored corn syrup held together with corn starch and xanthan gum.

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Joy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bit like sprouts. We Brits love to hate them yet every Christmas, out they come together with bags of raw nuts and walnuts that no-one eats.

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, sprouts I love! Roasted or panfried with bacon and garlic. I pop them like candy. 😋

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Jacin Larkwell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly I don't know how to describe it, but it's my favorite candy. I get so excited when it's in stock

Forrest McCanless
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Candy Corn (real Brachs) is worth waiting all year for. My lovely wife just brought a little bowl to my office to "start the season". Such a keeper!

Jocelyn Dae
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are a bit like circus peanut candies. Twice as hard and sweeter.

Terry Tobias
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's disgusting! I hated getting those things in my bag of goodies every year as a kid!

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has a faint soapy taste to me, but I've known people who go nuts over it. Go figure.

KimB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Candy corn alone is gross lol but pour it in a bowl and add shelled salted peanuts and it's delicious

Icedragocat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah it is all sugar with food color. Good for two pieces then it gets gross.

Vivian Orr
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HAHAHAHA It’s not really corn. I think there are as many people who love it as hate it. It really doesn’t have much of a flavor. It’s basically corn syrup. I think it’s popular because it’s been around since the 1880’s. You see costumes on kids and adults dressed as candy corn. Darn I tried to post a corn candy costume pic for you but obviously I don’t know how cuz it didn’t work. Lolol

Mazer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some love it, some hate it, like Peeps, it’s a questionable food product in my book

me me
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait. Most people hate it? Its one of my favorites lmao

bubbles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Think crayons with sugar--and its becoming a flex now to like candy corn

Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 different kinds of wax of unknown flavor. That's about it. But not long ago I learned that if you stack them up right, they look like a corn cob.

JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s the cheapest candy you can give out, so you get a lot of it trick or treating. It’s sort of like plastic sweet condensed milk (as many claim).. thus the hatred.

Hannah Kirtley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

vanilla? sweet chewy vanilla? idk its not really a flavor u can describe

that rando_;)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean a ton of Americans don't like it. So that should say something.

AzKhaleesi
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not this American it's one of my faves. It tastes like pure sugar and honey

lucy dale
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you know the hardened bits of toothpaste? the ones what are kinda squishy but no longer the paste? that but pure sugar

Jennifer Koors
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s more than one flavor of candy corn, and a few of them are delicious. The classic orange, yellow, and white variety commonly sold in the fall is not good though.

Robin Roper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's bad, sweet and tasteless at the same time. Eat a Snickers bar.

Scooter
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Candy corn is pure corn syrup coated in a wax like substance. It is disgusting.

Roadkill The Brave
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like a chew with little to no flavor besides 'sweet' 'WTF' and 'EW' in equal parts. Candy Corn ingredients, including sugar, corn syrup, confectioner's glaze, salt, dextrose, gelatin, sesame oil, artificial flavor, honey, yellow 6, yellow 5, and red 3. It also contains gelatin, a protein made from animal parts like hides and bones.

Nadine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first two pieces are good, then it's all downhill.

Jaime
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It tastes terrible. Just as everyone else here has described. But it looks pretty in a candy dish and that's why people continue to buy it every year. Most of it just gets thrown out at the end of the season. Why not just make pretty candy that tastes good too so it doesn't go to waste? I don't know. I guess it's just tradition at this point. Probably once upon a time people thought it was delicious because they'd never had anything better.

Evil Little Thing
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love fresh candy corn. It makes me sick to my stomach after a handful, but it's so easy to just keep stuffing it in my face anyway.

kaycee14
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a very sweet honey candy. And judging by yearly sales, most of us are lying when we say we hate it. I openly love it! (But in moderation- VERY sweet.)

Jim Day
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of us like it. Tastes like crystalized sugar mostly.

Tuna Fish
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hate it! Says who, I love me some candy corn. It tastes like America.

Jeff K
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like eating sweet butter-flavored wax. But it's a seasonal treat, so sort of festive, even if you never eat it.

V V
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It tastes like wax coated sugar and comes in a texture nature never intended.

Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God, how does one describe candy corn... it's more of a texture thing than a flavor thing, right? It's gritty, but like a pleasantly soft gritty, not like Central American candy gritty. And it's a very light honey flavor (or very light chocolate flavor for the brown ones), that's mostly just generically sweet without tasting as sugary as it actually is. Sound about right?

Jon Clingenpeel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It sucks! If its one candy I truly hate it is candy corn. I’ll take Peeps over candy corn any day

Emmie Jensen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tastes like food dye, but has enough sugar to prevent yourself from eating it.

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There is actually more to Halloween than just a couple of paragraphs can contain so if you want to know more about its roots, researching it can actually reveal very interesting knowledge that you wouldn’t think to find. 

But there are things that only Americans can answer about how they celebrate it, why they feel it became such a big holiday and do they really need all those decorations. If there are any Americans reading this list with all the questions, the rest of the world would really want to know the answers so please write them in the comments! Also, don’t forget to upvote the questions that you would like to be answered the most!

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sofacushionfort
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, one of the holiday rituals is “demonstrate a psychological theory.” Most people chose the Tragedy of the Commons. Me, I’d think the Milgram Experiment more in keeping with the spirit of the holiday, but my lawyer pointed to its complications.

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Nikki Sevven
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family carves pumpkins every Halloween...and decorates cookies for Christmas, and dyes eggs for Easter...

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Cyndi Wrenn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We dress up and have a contest for different categories of costumes

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Sara Rosen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Why is it ok to decorate for Christmas but not Halloween? You do your things but Imma get me some ghouls for MY garden.

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BoopBoop
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the only holiday we have that doesn't come with some kind of baggage. It's literally just for fun, and also to scare away the spirits walking abroad that might steal our souls.

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Stephanie Rohweder
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best seasonal store ever. It's like Halloween Santa. Only shows up once a year and you never see it until spooky season

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NoneYa41
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the big ones that are carved aren't eating pumpkins. Just like there is 'field' corn that's used for animal feed and corn products which is not the corn you buy at the market to eat.

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Susan Rapacz
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do you think we get our costumes and skeletons and witches and giant rubber rats and fake spider webs and coffins and monsters?

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NoneYa41
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the same reason people think Christmas is 2 months...media and marketing.

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Susan Rapacz
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because Halloween decorations are in the stores right after Labor Day.

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NoneYa41
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so...just like other holidays around the world that aren't religious you mean?

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Rebecca Olds
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the time, it's because stores and some people like to get christmas started earlier and earlier so those who enjoy halloween tend to take time from the only avaliable source the month before.

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Bobby
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that the french translation of "this is Halloween" from nightmare before xmas?

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DE Ray
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're not going to mention the French and cabbages? Or Greeks and olives? We ain't the only ones weirdly obsessed.

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