What would your reaction be if a grown adult came to your door on Halloween without a child in sight?
It’s perfectly normal for an adult to be following as their kid runs from house to house. But an adult trick-or-treating on his or her own? That’s not normal. Now the question is, would you give a lone adult candy? Or in the first place, at what age is it inappropriate to trick or treat? I took it upon myself to find out how the BYU Idaho community feels about the subject.
Perhaps there is no law dictating an age limit of trick or treaters, but there seems to be an unspoken rule that once you are 18 you probably shouldn’t. At least that is what most students think on campus. After asking 25 students, 18 said adults shouldn’t trick or treat. If the other 7 students had it their way they would be out on the streets every Halloween filling up their buckets.
So if its true that society frowns upon trick-or-treating at an older age, what are all of us candy fiends supposed to do? How else are we going to get our free candy? Raid every dentist and doctors office of their free suckers at the reception desk? I don’t think so. There are ways to hack the American trick-or-treat system as adults. Here’s how:
- Wear a mask. Halloween is the only day of the year that you won’t get weird looks for wearing a costume. It’s the perfect opportunity to hide your face and start getting your share of the candy.
- Go with a family you know. If you have friends that have kids, just tag-along and people won’t think twice to put candy in all the buckets in front of them.
- Try your luck.A lot of people will simply put out a self-serve bucket of candy on their porch. Just hunt down those houses and you are sure to still get a good portion of sweets.
- Use a fake child. If you’re really desperate for candy, then you can go this route. You can make a paper machete child in costume, or buy a big stuffed action figure or superhero.
For all those candy freaks out there, have no fear, there are ways to continue your childhood dreams of trick or treating. Remember, if a homeowner is suspicious of your age, RUN!