What are your views on Halloween?

[Graham]

That is kind of ambiguous Graham. Are they similar or not? I think there are differences in that Scots are more Calvinistic but in my interactions they are most likely similar. I think Northern English also have a lot more affinity with the Irish.

"it's a straight yes or no question". I'm like a politician here...well let me get to the point at then end, which never happens.


errr... That would be an ecumenical matter.

Well we don't like airs and graces, titles and pomp that the English seem to accept. In that way we are similar. On average both people are down to earth.

Ireland seems to be moving away from the catholic hold as Scotland drifted away from it's calvinist past.

[Creoda]

That is kind of ambiguous Graham. Are they similar or not? I think there are differences in that Scots are more Calvinistic but in my interactions they are most likely similar. I think Northern English also have a lot more affinity with the Irish.

It's a canny answer, therein lies the difference Grace .

[Kyp]

Mostly positive despite me being raised Catholic.

I see Celtic culture as the most interesting pre-christian European culture.

[Grace O'Malley]

"it's a straight yes or no question". I'm like a politician here...well let me get to the point at then end, which never happens.


errr... That would be an ecumenical matter.

Well we don't like airs and graces, titles and pomp that the English seem to accept. In that way we are similar. On average both people are down to earth.

Ireland seems to be moving away from the catholic hold as Scotland drifted away from it's calvinist past.

I think that is a good thing. Religion has been used to divide for far too long. in my interactions with Scots they seem the same but also I've found this with English. I've never felt any animosity or lack of affinity with the English. In fact I've found far more in common with all British Isles populations here in the Antipodes. Being diaspora I've always felt there is more in common than differences. I don't think Australians have any conflict with whether they have Irish or English ancestry. I think it is most probably overblown and most people feel they have more in common than differences.

One of my best mates is a Yorkshire Englishman. I love his sense of humour and he always keeps me grounded.

[PaleoEuropean]

This is slightly OT but what is interesting is that the US is far more influenced by Irish tradition than Australia which also had a large Irish influx. I wonder why that was? I think Americans are much more aware of being of Irish ancestry than Australians also. America also has had more influence in Ireland and was greatly involved in the Good Friday Agreement. Australia is much more influenced by the UK and still have the monarchy. It is interesting the differences.

A lot of our mountain folklore is influenced by Ireland and Scotland too. There are a lot more Irish people here as our population is bigger and country is older.

[Grace O'Malley]

A lot of our mountain folklore is influenced by Ireland and Scotland too. There are a lot more Irish people here as our population is bigger and country is older.

Remember that the "Gaelic" influence of Scotland came from Ireland. I suppose Scotland have a unique Pictish identify but what does that mean? The bulk of their identity came from the Gaels who came from Ireland and it is what makes Scotland unique from the rest of Britain. I do think that Western Scotland has always had a somewhat Gaelic identify and this should be studied but I do think Scots should look at their influences and be honest about their origins / identity. Not saying that they aren't but sometimes they appear a bit ambiguous. Nothing wrong with that but they should give credit where it is due i.e. the Mc/Mac surnames are completely due to the influence of the Gaels aka Irish. I personally think the Irish and Scots have a lot in common.

[Westbrook]

We just make everything way more doper. Halloween, Christmas, pizza, Chinese food, war...

So basically Irish culture regurgitated from the US. Yes I agree.

[War Chef]

Halloween will always remind me of my favorite times during my childhood,
It seems like people are celebrating it less and less in my area and it saddens me a bit

Me too and likewise it's just not as exciting anymore, a few years I had no kids at all which is sad; I buy good candy. But for more adult fun bars are always having shindigs.

Noticed this too. Is there a reason for this? Or just liberal soccer moms afraid I'll slip their kids a benzo in their smarties?

[Armenian Bishop]

As a child and teenager, I loved Halloween, because of the trick 'r treat night walks, candy, apple cider, pumpkin pie, costumes, beautiful pumpkins and Jack O' Lanterns. But, midway into my 20s, my viewpoint about Halloween changed and I found myself disliking it more-and-more. Now, I find it to be a repulsive Holiday, that gives ugliness to the otherwise beautiful Autumn Landscape. I especially don't like the horror-manikins, pseudo-skulls and pseudo-skeletons that line retail stores, and I don't like the horror movies.

I'm not interested in getting thrilled about getting scared.

There're three ways that Halloween could be improved, salvaged, and changed for the better: (1) It could be used to celebrate our heritage, ancestors and history. Our costumes could be taken from historical personalities and Very Important People (VIP). (2) We could remake it into an "All Saints Day" holiday, to honor our saints, apostles, Christ, pious ancestors and holy people. In doing that, we could retain some things about Halloween, like pumpkins, potluck parties, and Trick 'r Treating. (3) We could remake it into a Latin American Style "Day of the Dead" (Día de Muertos) to honor our ancestors. As with All Saints Day, we could retain things like Jack O' Lantern Pumpkins, Trick 'r Treating, and Potluck Parties; but, it would be a time to visit the cemeteries, and take care of the gravesites of our deceased relatives (ancestors) and friends.

[Oneeye]

Americans are arbitrary in what holidays we celebrate. Our most recent acquisition is Cinco de fucking Mayo. And the sugar skulls are becoming popular the past few years. Not as popular as creepy clowns, but getting there.