Thread: Is it normal for kids nowadays to not say "Trick or Treat"?

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I hadn't done ToT in several years, so I decided to give out candy this year. Really disappointed in the lack of participation, lack of costumes, lack of kids (maybe 50-60 from 6-8:30pm), and it seems only 1 out of 10 ToTer actually said 'Trick or Treat' (regardless of age)...is this the norm for today's kids?

I remember when is was a ToTer (late 70's) I recall our subdivision street literally shut down due to the sheer number of ToTers running around the neighborhood. Everyone was wearing costumes, the majority of houses were giving out candy, and there were lines of kids at every house. Looks like times have changed.

I know that saying Trick or Treat is a big deal for many

but I would much rather hear thank you than" trick or treat"

And I don't want to spend my night trying to coax trick or treat from every child that comes to my door

It sounds like you're gradually turning 'UK'. I remember going ToT when I was a kid in the late 70's and most of the 80's and most of the houses would have some decoration outside and would hand out sweets. I'd take a magic trick from my kit and use it if the person said 'Trick', but I know that when I was older, a lot of kids started throwing eggs at people when they asked to see the 'Trick'. Then gradually people just stopped doing their houses up and would switch all the lights off and sit in the dark so that they wouldn't be bothered by kids.

I know Halloween is celebrated more over where you guys are, but there's still a few of us here in the UK that are hanging on to it with our teeth!

The biggest thing that annoys me though, is the lack of effort that most kids put into their costumes and the lack of respect they have. They seem to think its all about getting as much sweets as possible and some will try and take a handful without saying thank you.

I agree a BIG THANK YOU is greatly appreciated, but I do notice alot of the TOT dont say "trick or treat".

I don't care if they are in costume or not, but I do want to hear "Trick or treat". When I ask them, "What do you say?", often I get a "Thank you!" So then I say "What comes before that?" Somethimes they stand there, sometimes they brighten up and say it. I've never had a kid not say it, after coaxing. It's all in good fun.

Most kids who walked up to my house were respectful, but unfortunately, it's the disrespectful ones you remember. I had several kids just walk up to me, put their pillow cases far out in front of them, and expect me to drop candy in their bag. Once they received their candy, some of them would turn around and walk away. Never said a word. Next year I just might require them to say, "TRICK OR TREAT." And my parent's big thing with my sister and I was you always, always, say, "THANK YOU!"

I'm usually so busy dropping treats into bags or buckets that I really don't pay attention to whether or not they actually say 'trick or treat', but this year my husband was handing out the goodies most of the night and since he lives to mess with people, he coaxed the phrase out of almost every kid. It was fun for him and most of the kids seemed to get a kick out of it too.

I bet some were just shy. I got a few of those.

my mom gave me a HALLOWEEN sign about 100 yrs ago that has the "HALLOWEEN HOUSE RULES" on it. she got it at a store back in the 60's. RULE #3 - Saying Trick or Treat is Required. RULE #4 - Saying Thank You is Not Required - But Appreciated. there's other rules on the sign which has changed over the years (it's on it's 3rd incarnation) but those two have always been there. the sign gets posted every year with good results. it's worth a shot - HM

I would start posting a sign close to the door. "Disrespectful and thank-less Trick or Treaters will not be rewarded. A costume is a must and saying 'Tirck or Treat' is required." Just like HalloMarine said with the ancient reincarnated sign!