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View Full Version : Europeens, how is Holloween "treated" in your country?



xyz
October 29th, 2007, 03:31 PM
Hi all,

Here it's almost disappeared and I'm glad because it was purely commercial and it has nothing to do with our culture.

How about where you live? Also does anyone know if it's common practice in, say, Latin America, Australia and so on?

undine
October 29th, 2007, 03:38 PM
Nobody pays it much heed here.

damianvila
October 29th, 2007, 03:42 PM
In Spain is mostly an excluse to get drunk, so, you probably see a couple of kids in costume, but mostly grown-ups in their way to the bar...
But not very popular, no.

Cannaregio
October 29th, 2007, 03:49 PM
The hallowen crap - pressure seems to be decreasing in Europe as far as I can judge. I remember much bigger 'commercial pushes' during the last 3/5 years.
They prolly would like to have such a pre-xmas consumer trap in Europe as well, if possibly as rentable as in the states, but I doubt they'll really manage it: here most people dislike consuming for the sake of it, I think (and hope).

Maybe we should introduce a new big fest where you can do whatever you want BUT consume and buy crap :-)

Clickbg
October 29th, 2007, 03:51 PM
In Bulgaria we usually don`t celebrate, but drink or two for disguise are always welcome :).

xyz
October 29th, 2007, 03:52 PM
The hallowen crap - pressure seems to be decreasing in Europe as far as I can judge. I remember much bigger 'commercial pushes' during the last 3/5 years.
They prolly would like to have such a pre-xmas consumer trap in Europe as well, if possibly as rentable as in the states, but I doubt they'll really manage it: here most people dislike consuming for the sake of it, I think (and hope).

Maybe we should introduce a new big fest where you can do whatever you want BUT consume and buy crap :-)

Where exactly do you live if I may ask?

bonzodog
October 29th, 2007, 04:18 PM
Halloween is dying here as well. There is still loads of halloween stuff to buy at the moment, but almost no-one is bothered anymore, and I haven't seen trick or treat-ers for a number of years now.

gatewayasteroid
October 29th, 2007, 04:20 PM
Hi all,

Here it's almost disappeared and I'm glad because it was purely commercial and it has nothing to do with our culture.

How about where you live? Also does anyone know if it's common practice in, say, Latin America, Australia and so on?

Just commercial crap here.

Sensenseppl
October 29th, 2007, 04:36 PM
In (at least some parts of) Austria, people go to halloween-parties which are just like regular ones,
except for a few people wearing costumes and the rooms being decorated in a "spooky" way.
Nothing special.

aaaantoine
October 29th, 2007, 04:43 PM
I know you specified Europe, but I can't resist...

In Capitalist America, Halloween celebrates YOU!

I guess we just need something to do "this month". Plus, it distracts from the REAL gem: Christmas. If it weren't for Halloween and Thanksgiving to break up the time leading to December, we'd start promoting Christmas stuff in July.

Actually, some people do this anyway... :(

mech7
October 29th, 2007, 04:45 PM
We have sintemaarten :lolflag:

starfry
October 29th, 2007, 04:45 PM
In the UK, It seems to have taken over from Guy Fawkes Day. You rarely, if ever, see "penny for the guy" any more. It's all scream masks and crap like that.

xyz
October 29th, 2007, 04:46 PM
I know you specified Europe, but I can't resist...

In Capitalist America, Halloween celebrates YOU!

Yeah I know! I spent 12 years in your country. :wink:

Tomosaur
October 29th, 2007, 04:47 PM
Mizzy Night LARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

This is when eggs are constantly sold out from shops, and you should always keep a blunt object close to hand :/

Paul820
October 29th, 2007, 04:51 PM
I can't see the point of halloween, it's all commercialised anyway, just like christmas.

xyz
October 29th, 2007, 04:54 PM
We have sintemaarten :lolflag:

Never heard of it? What is it if you don't mind explaining briefly? Thnx.

Martje_001
October 29th, 2007, 04:55 PM
Thank God it's gone in The Netherlands, never been popular though.. haloween = commercial crap

Martje_001
October 29th, 2007, 04:56 PM
Never heard of it? What is it if you don't mind explaining briefly? Thnx.
Kids go knocking doors and sing a song for candy ^^

regomodo
October 29th, 2007, 05:13 PM
i barely realise it exists each year, which is good as i despise all commercial holidays.

I'm fairly sure haloween is dying. That i like.

Perfect Storm
October 29th, 2007, 05:15 PM
Most holiday have gone commercial IMO. Big presents, use your money on this and that. Also the red santa cloth is part of the commercial industry (Coca Cola tm).

tehet
October 29th, 2007, 05:20 PM
Kids go knocking doors and sing a song for candy ^^
Lampion required :lolflag:
http://blix.punt.nl/upload/sintmaarten_jeroen_2006.JPG

Phil Airtime
October 29th, 2007, 05:21 PM
In the UK, It seems to have taken over from Guy Fawkes Day. You rarely, if ever, see "penny for the guy" any more. It's all scream masks and crap like that.

Alton Towers near here had its fireworks banned because local residents complained. They've replaced them with something called "the Scarefest". Rather unfortunately, the Scarefest last night was truncated by a real scare involving the place catching fire.

One of the things that p!sses me off about Hallowe'en is the fact that you can't turn on the telly or radio without encountering really unpleasant trailers for imported American films like "Saw". It's rather disconcerting driving down the road and being blasted out of your seat by audio of someone screaming and begging for their life. It's all so commercial and leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.

Trick or treating was a big thing from the US a few years back, but it's died down now because parents aren't willing to let their kids go round the estate knocking on random people's doors. Here, the little ones from next door get into costume and knock on with their parents standing just out of sight, but no others. In some areas, it's used as an excuse by scallies to say "give us a tenner or we'll scratch your car".

mostwanted
October 29th, 2007, 05:43 PM
I've never celebrated it, but some people do. It's very commercial, but aren't all holidays these days? It's not big, but it's not going away either.

crypto178
October 29th, 2007, 06:01 PM
Here in Belgium it's the opposite trend, 10 (or so) years ago it was like it didn't exist, and now more people celebrate it every year.

Cochise
October 29th, 2007, 06:03 PM
holloween sucks bring on dec 25th

PartisanEntity
October 29th, 2007, 06:13 PM
Unfortunately it seems to be on the rise in Austria, due to efforts by the world of commerce and business in collaboration with media (TV, movies). It really has nothing to do with Austrian culture, and only started to become noticeable something like 7-8 years ago. I hope people will grow out of it, but I doubt it.

goumples
October 29th, 2007, 06:35 PM
Halloween is my favorite holiday. What other day can i dress up, get drunk and act a fool.. oh wait, everyday ;p never mind.

Arathorn
October 29th, 2007, 06:37 PM
Never heard of it? What is it if you don't mind explaining briefly? Thnx.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Martin%27s_Day
Although a catholic festival by origin, it's quite widespread in the Netherlands. Just like that other (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas) popular originally-catholic children's feast it's under pressure of commercialised Anglo-Saxon rip-offs, but I think (and hope) it'll hold.

goumples
October 29th, 2007, 06:45 PM
It started with the celts:

http://www.history.com/minisites/halloween/viewPage?pageId=713

Catholics just ninjaed it like they ninjaed almost every other major holiday. If you can't convert them, assimilated them. Heh.

damianvila
October 29th, 2007, 06:54 PM
Most holiday have gone commercial IMO. Big presents, use your money on this and that. Also the red santa cloth is part of the commercial industry (Coca Cola tm).

Hey!, I love your signature's font, do you know who did that? :rolleyes:

:lolflag:

Perfect Storm
October 29th, 2007, 06:59 PM
EVE-Online font

Siph0n
October 29th, 2007, 07:05 PM
Halloween is awesome! :) I am gonna be a penguin this year!!! Plus its the only holiday where girls can dress up with hardly any clothes on, and not be called a **** lol

damianvila
October 29th, 2007, 07:19 PM
EVE-Online font

Yes, I made that one, that's why. :lolflag:

Perfect Storm
October 29th, 2007, 07:20 PM
Ah Cool! Very nice work indeed :)

screaminj3sus
October 29th, 2007, 08:00 PM
I always celebrated it as a kid, mainly an excuse for a big *** bag of candy :)

arigram
October 29th, 2007, 08:11 PM
In Greece we have three weeks of carnival festivities, filled with costume parties a street parades. Plus, its not theme-specific, like the tame one night spooky themed Halloween. And I won't even mention Carnival in other parts of the world like Brazil and Italy.

perce
October 29th, 2007, 09:29 PM
In Italy Carnival is the a very big thing on a few towns - most notably Venice. In all other places it's a thing for kids to make noise, or for grown up to get drunk, and for everybody to eat unhealthy cookies.
I personally hate it almost as much as I hate Halloween.