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Guy Mad Over Kids From Poorer Families Trick-Or-Treating In His Neighborhood Is Told To Check His Privilege
Guy Mad Over Kids From Poorer Families Trick-Or-Treating In His Neighborhood Is Told To Check His PrivilegeGuy Mad Over Kids From Poorer Families Trick-Or-Treating In His Neighborhood Is Told To Check His Privilege
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Guy Mad Over Kids From Poorer Families Trick-Or-Treating In His Neighborhood Is Told To Check His Privilege

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What do you think rich people give trick-or-treaters on Halloween? Their old iPhones? High quality Belgian pralines? Fancy bakery-grade pastries? Or, the dream of every single kid knocking on doors on Halloween, king size candy bars? Oh, it’s almost too much to even consider this!

Trick-or-treating in rich people neighborhoods is almost legendary. Shows even have Halloween episodes dedicated to this. So, no wonder many children are wanting to try their luck doing this themselves. But how do “rich” people feel about this?

You might think, hey, Halloween is all about sharing and scaring so if both of those things are being done, it’s all fine. However, that is not always the case.

The man in this story feels a little off about all sorts of kids invading his neighborhood. Is that a fair judgement? Or is it a bit of a jerk thing to say? See how people reacted to his rant on the Am I the [Jerk] subreddit.

RELATED:

    We all dream of getting a full-sized candy bar on Halloween. But how far would you go to get one?

    Image credits: Charles Parker (not the actual photo)

    The man in this story thinks that some parents are going a bit too far. That’s both in a literal and metaphorical sense

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    Image credits: voronaman111 (not the actual photo)

    Image credits: HalloweenA**hole

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    This might not be an uncommon complaint

    The author is not the first person to complain about trick-or-treaters “invading” rich neighborhoods. Back in 2014, a Dear Prudence letter with a similar sentiment caused so much outrage, it went viral. In it, a woman that lives on a “modest” street in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the US complained about kids from “less fortunate areas” coming in to trick-or-treat there. She felt it was “inappropriate.”

    Prudence’s answer was quite on point and applauded by many who wrote countless opinion pieces about the matter later on. “Your whine makes me kind of wish that people from the actual poor side of town come this year not with scary costumes but with real pitchforks,” the response read. “Stop being callous and miserly and go to Costco, you cheapskate, and get enough candy to fill the bags of the kids who come one day a year to marvel at how the 1 percent live.”

    Image credits: Haley Phelps (not the actual photo)

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    Majority of people, though, are more than excited about giving out candy to all

    While one shouldn’t expect that going to a rich neighborhood will result in a bucket of full-sized candy bars, know that not everyone is as grumpy and cheap as the author of this story. Many recall their experiences of living in well-off neighborhoods and getting excited about a chance to mingle in such big crowds.

    “I loved it!” shared Lisa Schmeister, a professional who used to live in a “nice” neighborhood, when talking to Romper, “There are few things as purely joyful than sitting on the front lawn with a cocktail, a spooky playlist on repeat in the background, dropping a handful of Snickers bars in a little kid’s bag and asking the parents if they want some candy, too.”

    Houston-based Monica Gri agrees: “It’s so much fun to see the kids’ eyes light up at the bowls of candy, and to see all walks of life come together for one night of safe, innocent fun. Due to my experience growing up, Halloween has always been one of my favorite days of the year.”

    So, if you’re feeling generous and you can afford to splurge, get a few extra bags of candy this Halloween. Better yet, get some full-sized bars. You will definitely make someone’s night a tad more magical.

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    Image credits: Charles Parker (not the actual photo)

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    A lot of people were upset by this post and gave the author a one-way ticket straight to Jerk-town

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    There were some, however, who also saw the author’s point of view

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    Reflecting on the customs of Halloween, one can’t help but notice the striking differences in how trick-or-treating is experienced across various communities. An interesting perspective arises when considering the fairness of distributing candy, especially in affluent neighborhoods where children may hope for a more generous haul.

    This issue is particularly poignant when comparing it to the frustration expressed by people witnessing extreme behaviors like the emptying of entire candy buckets, which raises questions about etiquette and generosity during this festive night.

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    Agne Steponaityte

    Agne Steponaityte

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Agne Steponaityte is a writer at Bored Panda. After getting a BA Film Production degree in England, Agne moved around Europe living and writing in Lithuania, Belgium, and Portugal. Now, together with her partner and daughter, she is residing in Munich, Germany. Her favourite book is East of Eden, favourite movie – There Will Be Blood, favourite show – Succession.

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    Agne Steponaityte

    Agne Steponaityte

    Writer, Community member

    Agne Steponaityte is a writer at Bored Panda. After getting a BA Film Production degree in England, Agne moved around Europe living and writing in Lithuania, Belgium, and Portugal. Now, together with her partner and daughter, she is residing in Munich, Germany. Her favourite book is East of Eden, favourite movie – There Will Be Blood, favourite show – Succession.

    What do you think ?
    DarkViolet
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. I thought OP was bad enough, but the NTAers are worse. "Lice-infested kids"?! "Driving around like beggars"?! "Sense of entitlement"?! How to tell the world that you're a bigoted snob without saying you're a bigoted snob.

    athornedrose
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    honestly though. if you don't want to participate in halloween, that's your prerogative, but to blame kids for all this? seriously? what year is it? you shouldn't be around any children, or have any, if you are going to drag kids from "outside our affluent neighborhood". holy c**p

    Load More Replies...
    BrownTabby
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Your whine makes me kind of wish that people from the actual poor side of town come this year not with scary costumes but with real pitchforks” Perfect answer

    Emma Goransdottir
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my country halloween is not a big event like in the US, it is becoming increasingly popular though. If kids started knocking on my door for trick or treats, I would be prepared with a big bowl of candy for anyone who knocked. I definitely wouldn't care where they come from! Children are children.

    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same here, I kinda wish there were more kids because I could put on a costume myself and scare them when they enter my yard

    Load More Replies...
    Alexandra
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, I don't get it. It smacks of apartheid: candy only for neighborhood children. Exaggerated perhaps. Still, my mother taught me that with privilege comes increased responsibility towards those who are less well-off. What's the big deal about sharing a tiny bit of your good fortune with others who have none? However that is, the underlying sentiment of OP's position is a very troubling one.

    s0nicfreak
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    @Rj ... I'm guessing you are not American, Scottish, nor Irish. Everyone who participates wants exactly that, it's the whole point. On one night a year, usually for a few specific hours, kids go around knocking on doors and getting candy. It can be fun to see all the costumes, and to see the joy on the kids' faces. If you don't want to participate, you simply turn your porch (or foyer or whatever you have at your front door) light off, and the kids know not to stop there. It's not at all the same as randomly begging, nor trying to trade flowers for candy.

    Load More Replies...
    Rostit. .
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope all the NTA people end up with explosive, random attacks of diarrhea for a week.

    MotherRobinson
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the the OP doesn't like giving out candy to out of neighborhood kids he could just cut his outside lights off, go in the house, and do whatever rich boring to thing he does on Halloween. It's just that simple. Seems like he waisting energy complaining about lots of kids crowding his precious affluent neighborhood for one night.

    Tiff Day
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like how everyone has decided these kids must come straigh outta comptom to want to trick or treat near him. They probably just dont get much candy where they live. And wanted more. And thats it...go where the candy is. I dont see broke as f**k people driving out of state instead of just spending a few buck on candy.

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? We live on a rural route like half the people in America. A lot of people don't live in a neighborhood

    Load More Replies...
    Michelle Carlson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We lived just outside the city where we lived, in the country (only about a mile), but it was enough that we only had about 6 neighbors. And it was dark as pitch. Mom used to take us to the mobile home community a few miles away. It was 'rich' for us. It was safe, mom knew where to find us, we got lots of candy. Perfect. It was mostly a retiree community and a lot of them were super generous.

    Skye Ragsdale
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. I grew up on a county road. No streetlights, long distances between houses. No way it would've been safe to trick-or-treat there.

    Load More Replies...
    xolitaire
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    Well ok, if your only reason to be against this is being "annoyed" by it, then yes, YTA. But I am in the same situation - not because I don't like the fact that more and more kids are shutteled to our neighbourhood by car, but because I simply can't afford it? I really don't have the money to hand out buckets full of candy for that many kids. I do add homemade cookies, cake etc, but most years its still not enough. So once I run out, what am I supposed to do, barricade the doors? How is this fair to the kids that get nothing? Call me TA, but just because you live in a neighbourhood that actually hands out candy doesn't make you rich.

    H05
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Turn off the light when you run out. Put up a sign on the door to that effect if you're worried some won't take a hint. I doubt barricades will be necessary.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    DarkViolet
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. I thought OP was bad enough, but the NTAers are worse. "Lice-infested kids"?! "Driving around like beggars"?! "Sense of entitlement"?! How to tell the world that you're a bigoted snob without saying you're a bigoted snob.

    athornedrose
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    honestly though. if you don't want to participate in halloween, that's your prerogative, but to blame kids for all this? seriously? what year is it? you shouldn't be around any children, or have any, if you are going to drag kids from "outside our affluent neighborhood". holy c**p

    Load More Replies...
    BrownTabby
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Your whine makes me kind of wish that people from the actual poor side of town come this year not with scary costumes but with real pitchforks” Perfect answer

    Emma Goransdottir
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my country halloween is not a big event like in the US, it is becoming increasingly popular though. If kids started knocking on my door for trick or treats, I would be prepared with a big bowl of candy for anyone who knocked. I definitely wouldn't care where they come from! Children are children.

    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same here, I kinda wish there were more kids because I could put on a costume myself and scare them when they enter my yard

    Load More Replies...
    Alexandra
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, I don't get it. It smacks of apartheid: candy only for neighborhood children. Exaggerated perhaps. Still, my mother taught me that with privilege comes increased responsibility towards those who are less well-off. What's the big deal about sharing a tiny bit of your good fortune with others who have none? However that is, the underlying sentiment of OP's position is a very troubling one.

    s0nicfreak
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    @Rj ... I'm guessing you are not American, Scottish, nor Irish. Everyone who participates wants exactly that, it's the whole point. On one night a year, usually for a few specific hours, kids go around knocking on doors and getting candy. It can be fun to see all the costumes, and to see the joy on the kids' faces. If you don't want to participate, you simply turn your porch (or foyer or whatever you have at your front door) light off, and the kids know not to stop there. It's not at all the same as randomly begging, nor trying to trade flowers for candy.

    Load More Replies...
    Rostit. .
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope all the NTA people end up with explosive, random attacks of diarrhea for a week.

    MotherRobinson
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the the OP doesn't like giving out candy to out of neighborhood kids he could just cut his outside lights off, go in the house, and do whatever rich boring to thing he does on Halloween. It's just that simple. Seems like he waisting energy complaining about lots of kids crowding his precious affluent neighborhood for one night.

    Tiff Day
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like how everyone has decided these kids must come straigh outta comptom to want to trick or treat near him. They probably just dont get much candy where they live. And wanted more. And thats it...go where the candy is. I dont see broke as f**k people driving out of state instead of just spending a few buck on candy.

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? We live on a rural route like half the people in America. A lot of people don't live in a neighborhood

    Load More Replies...
    Michelle Carlson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We lived just outside the city where we lived, in the country (only about a mile), but it was enough that we only had about 6 neighbors. And it was dark as pitch. Mom used to take us to the mobile home community a few miles away. It was 'rich' for us. It was safe, mom knew where to find us, we got lots of candy. Perfect. It was mostly a retiree community and a lot of them were super generous.

    Skye Ragsdale
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. I grew up on a county road. No streetlights, long distances between houses. No way it would've been safe to trick-or-treat there.

    Load More Replies...
    xolitaire
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    Well ok, if your only reason to be against this is being "annoyed" by it, then yes, YTA. But I am in the same situation - not because I don't like the fact that more and more kids are shutteled to our neighbourhood by car, but because I simply can't afford it? I really don't have the money to hand out buckets full of candy for that many kids. I do add homemade cookies, cake etc, but most years its still not enough. So once I run out, what am I supposed to do, barricade the doors? How is this fair to the kids that get nothing? Call me TA, but just because you live in a neighbourhood that actually hands out candy doesn't make you rich.

    H05
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Turn off the light when you run out. Put up a sign on the door to that effect if you're worried some won't take a hint. I doubt barricades will be necessary.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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