this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2023
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My sister is 23 and still dresses up and goes out knocking doors for candy... and I find it weird but I let her do her. It got me thinking, at what age do you think someone should stop Trick r Treating at? Just curious.

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[–] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 128 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.

  • C.S. Lewis

Good on your sister for not losing track of what makes her happy. Not doing things just because they are "childish" is the most childish trait an adult can display.

[–] IanAtCambio@lemm.ee 28 points 1 year ago (4 children)

THATS the rest of the quote!!?! Ha. Man I’ve always just heard it stop at “ childish things”. Makes more sense now

[–] savedbythezsh@sh.itjust.works 22 points 1 year ago

Actually no, Lewis is parodying the Bible: https://www.biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

The Bible quote does say that, but he's poking fun at it by saying "why so serious?"

[–] Reil@beehaw.org 14 points 1 year ago

You heard it that way because that's because that's the end of 1 Corinthians 13:11:

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

C.S. Lewis is playing off of a Bible quote and that became its own thing.

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[–] zerbey@lemmy.world 88 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The rule is, if you dress up you get candy. I don't care how old you are, but you have to be dressed up.

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[–] NutWrench@lemmy.ml 58 points 1 year ago

As long as you're wearing a costume, I don't care how old you are. You'll get a treat.

[–] sunbeam60@lemmy.one 58 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I’d be super happy with no upper limit on age.

What I definitely have is an attitude limit; I loathe it when sullen teenagers knock the door, mutter “trckotrt”, no dress up except someone has drawn a tear on their face and then grabs five portions of candy and just dashes out.

Like, you can be fucking 40 for all I care, but you squeal “triiick of treaaaat”, then I say “wow, aren’t your costumes great” and offer the bowl up. You then grab one large or a couple of small things, say thank you and walk off excitedly.

The requirement for me is that you look like you’re enjoying it. Otherwise, why am I opening the door to strangers and offering them sweets?

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This.

As you age, trick or treat should be more like wasseling, where we wander the local hood, check in the people we should see more often, share candy back and forth and agree that Mr Stewart in #10 is a bit of a dick.

It should keep a more social aspect with less candy as we mature as social adults. Parents should take older kids to mature them a bit.

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[–] mypasswordis1234@lemmy.world 51 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If it makes her happy, why do you care? I assume that most people do "childish" things despite their age because it makes them happy.

[–] JSens1998@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

She can do her, and I am happy for her. I'm just curious what other people's opinions are is all?

[–] mypasswordis1234@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Honestly? I wouldn't care about age. Just tell her not to destroy other people's property by doing the "trick".

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[–] neptune@dmv.social 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

All the thirty five year olds giving her candy probably think it's funny

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[–] Pulptastic@midwest.social 46 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I give candy to parents with costumes. Knock on my door, say trick or treat, and you get candy. Them's the rules.

I also give adults I know beer or seltzer.

[–] gabbagabbahey@lemm.ee 11 points 1 year ago

If you don't give a treat, you risk getting tricked.

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[–] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.cafe 37 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Age limitation on trick-or-treaters is an inherently fascist concept and will be trashed when the revolution happens.

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[–] EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world 37 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There's no age limit. Adulthood isn't about not being whimsical it's about being whimsical and not caring that losers are judging you for being happy

[–] nomecks@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's better that teenagers are out collecting candy and not committing mischief.

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[–] punkwalrus@lemmy.world 35 points 1 year ago (2 children)

No age limit in this household. I'd say "just show up with a bag," but I just gave treats so some 4yo with no bag. If an adult asked? They'd get them.

I just want to be kind. I wasn't allowed to trick or treat as a kid. I did as a teen, and you know what? Nobody cared how old our group was. We got candy like the rest of them. God bless those neighbors.

And God bless Halloween.

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[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 34 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Okay, rant time. If you don't like rants, skip this comment.

Listen motherfuckers, Halloween isn't about candy. The fact that the candy has become the point is a fucking problem.

We've lost the social cohesion, the sense of community, and even the superstitions that made Halloween such a popular holiday.

And that fucking sucks.

Nobody really believes we're scaring off bad spirits any more, but we could at least celebrate the weird, the scary, and just spend one night a year dressing up for fun.

Fuck the candy. The only reason we have to give out candy is because assholes fucked up being able to give out home made treats. Man, did any of y'all have the fucking awesomeness of getting candy coated apples, or home made fudge, or wax paper wrapped cookies? Or anything but the sugar bombs in a bag you buy? But no, some assholes had to fuck around and break the ability to trust the social contract of Halloween.

Shit, I'm the only asshole in my entire town baking and making things today. Why? Because I'm the only idiot willing to put up a sign on my door "home made treats available on request by adults". Which means I'm the only house on the fucking street that has cars pulling up with kids in them, accompanied by adults. Parents don't let kids walk the streets on Halloween any more because humans are fucking horrible and can't be trusted not to mess with kids. So that means nobody even fucking bothers to hand out anything, they all go to fucking trunk and treat shit, which ends up being about the fucking candy instead of having fun because a bunch of people in parking lots isn't a community.

Fuck. Fuck the assholes that ruined Halloween and turned it into a day for fucking candy.

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[–] amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz 31 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think your Senior year of high school oughta be the cutoff, but I don't have any issues with college students trick or treating, so I think 23 or so would be my candy refusal threshold. This actually reminds me of a story I read a long time ago:

It's Halloween and there's a knock on the door, nothing out of the ordinary, and the person got up and went to the door. When they opened it, they found another door and doorframe up against their door, which read "Please knock for candy", they knocked and were offered candy by some college students who were carrying an entire door and frame around for this bit. I believe it ended with the homeowner refusing candy and giving the college students candy.

So yeah, I need to add an exception to my Halloween code of ethics: An awesome costume / gag can make up for any age.

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[–] tacosanonymous@lemm.ee 31 points 1 year ago

If someone has the confidence to dress up and ring my doorbell, they’re getting candy and positive vibes from me.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 29 points 1 year ago

I stopped at 14. At 23 it’s definitely weird, but whatever. I think it’s unfortunate that our culture shames adults for partaking in controlled mischief aspects of holidays and other such fun holiday traditions.

[–] MilkToaster@reddthat.com 28 points 1 year ago (2 children)

How generous of you.

but I let her do it.

[–] funkajunk@lemm.ee 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Pretty sure they mean they leave their sister to do as she pleases, and not shaming her for it.

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[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago

No age limit but costume required. At least put on your sister's makeup or brothers overalls or saggy jeans, something. I have turned away kids without costumes but will candy anyone of any age who makes even the weakest attempt at a costume.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 27 points 1 year ago (4 children)

It's an arbitrary cultural custom, with even more arbitrary expectations for who's included. I find it weird when a grown-up comes to your door and it straight up makes certain people angry, but there's no logical reason why it's bad.

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[–] Immersive_Matthew@sh.itjust.works 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Any age that makes the effort to dress up and have fun. If you are not ok with that you need to ask yourself what killed your inner child?

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[–] owiseedoubleyou@lemmy.ml 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

There's no age limit.

[–] Jelly_mcPB@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Sarmyth@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

I just assumed that was them leaving off, "without giving her a bunch of shit."

Bullying your siblings isn't just a right but your social obligation sometimes!

[–] ManosTheHandsOfFate@lemmy.world 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If it's the end of the evening and you're 47 with no costume and driving a beatup Civic, I'll happily dump candy in your backpack so that I don't have it sitting at home tempting me to eat it.

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[–] Gallardo994@sh.itjust.works 21 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Probably around 90. Might have a hard time after that

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[–] tyrefyre@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 year ago

Like I don’t give a shit how old someone is. If you show up in a costume I’m giving you candy. No matter the age. I don’t know why you’d care what she’s doing, how is it hurting you or anyone else?

[–] QTpi@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I love the tradition of trick or treating in the neighborhood. I hate that it is dying in some communities (instead going to malls, trunk or treat etc). I happily give candy to anyone who knocks on the door and I don't care how old they are or if it's "late". It's a fun time for everyone.

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[–] KingGordon@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago (3 children)

If you show up to my house in a costume, you're getting candy at any age.

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[–] Tyrsis@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

I used to think there should be an age limit, I think i officially stopped trick or treating at like 13 or 14. I live Halloween though and always did so I dressed up and trotted around with my little siblings to help keep an eye and make sure they were safe and didn't get too scared because we did have a few houses that often provided "tricks" with their treats.

Most of the adults tied to give me candy too even though I wasn't carrying a bag, some flat out refused my attempt at just saying I was chaperoning and not trick or treating. Got told by a few that I dressed up and that's the rules, I got candy without trying just because I wanted to have fun and spend time with my siblings.

I remember a few people giving my dad candy when he took me as a kid because he always dressed up with us. He even stayed back on the walk way as we walked up to the house and the old guy giving out candy yelled out "Hey Wolfman!" my dad looked up as he was dressed as a werewolf and got a reeses thrown to him with additional compliments on his costume.

All this to say is I don't think I'd give any side eye to anyone coming to get some candy, sometimes adults need a little pick me up as well and it just used to be fun seeing all the different costumes and creative stuff people would come up with or randomly scaring a couple older kids just by opening the door with whatever creepy costume I had that year.

[–] grimaferve@kglitch.social 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Honestly, I don't really set an age limit. I won't judge people who are out for fun. I've been there, there's not much to do around where I live.

That being said though... Regardless of your age, if you costume up, you're likely to get more candy from me. (I'll also offer candy to parents and older siblings who aren't taking part because I'm cool like that. Just don't stick chocolate bars in your pockets LMAO)

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[–] PelicanPersuader@beehaw.org 15 points 1 year ago

The older you are, the more effort I expect. A kid can get away with a cape and a mask. If an older teen comes, I expect full costume, not everyday clothes. Adult? You better be rocking a great cosplay. Not that I'd refuse anyone, but I'll be happiest giving treats to young children or people showing off really amazing effort in the costume department.

[–] MorningstarCorndog@lemmy.today 14 points 1 year ago

No age. Anyone against fun social traditions is a jerk and a loser. I stand by my word.

[–] Lanthanae@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 1 year ago (5 children)

18/20 because after that you ought to be able to be a candy-giver. This whole thing only works if we have enough candy-givers, and too late of a cutoff age skews the balance.

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[–] astanix@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

There is no age limit. I will give candy to anyone in a costume that is trick or treating.

[–] HipsterTenZero@dormi.zone 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)
  1. I'll give a decrepit old dude candy, but i draw the line at actual vampires
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[–] apotheotic@beehaw.org 13 points 1 year ago

Honestly? Do whatever you want as long as you're not hurting anyone or being a dick. Wanna put on a spooky costume and go ask the neighbours for candy? Please be my guest and I hope you have such a fun time. I guess you might get some funny looks but like, that's on them, not you. This doesn't even just apply to trick or treating.

You're never too old to enjoy something. The world is miserable enough, have ice cream for dinner once, go trick or treating, learn to ride a bike, have a sleepover with your friends, or do none of those things if you wouldn't derive joy from them.

[–] IanAtCambio@lemm.ee 11 points 1 year ago

I’d just be happy she has a costume on. Around here we get grown adults with no costumes asking for candy with their kids. I guess I enable them because I don’t want to call them out in front of their own kids, but come on.

We have like 4 children in our neighbourhood. If an adult showed up at my door in costume, I'd be thrilled to get a visitor, give them candy and offer them booze (it's also common in my area for homes to offer drinks to parents who are chaperoning their kids).

On a similar note, when my son was about 7, my girlfriend at the time (who was 28) came with us in costume and and went up to houses with him with a candy bag and collected treats. The first couple houses, I actually felt like "this is a little embarrassing" but people just gave her candy and alcohol and I was like "You know what, this is fun!" I realized I was being a stiff adult and should just get over myself (a beer and a couple cup of hot cider with whiskey didn't hurt my attitude either).

[–] MNByChoice@midwest.social 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

In my area, it is less age and more size. Someone that is large scares more people than a small person. I was large so stopped early, but a small woman with a mask could go quite a long time.

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[–] Truck_kun@beehaw.org 11 points 1 year ago

If you are an adult, and clearly an adult, then it's probably too old.

I'll still give you candy if I answer the door, but that is probably where you might creep some people out, or they give creeper vibes and don't trust answering the door.

That said, in my own experience, you are too old to trick or treat once you pass about 5'6" (~165 cm).

I remember finding out I was too old. After an event, some friends wanted to go trick or treating. I was in high school still, but just shy of 6 feet. Female friend the same age was just over 5', and another female friend that was a few years older was about 4'9".

Anyways, they trick or treated fine, and I got stares, and clearly treated differently. Clearly trick or treating is not about age, but perceived age. (and effort. If you're short and all covered up in your costume, no one will know or care... long as your voice isn't boss baby)

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