Anyone remember 'Trick or Treat for UNICEF?" People would give you extra candy for collecting donations. Kind of a tip. Wonder if it's still a thing, but then Trick or Treating in America seems on the wane, anyway. Great post.
What a colorful tradition, Martine. The "chatting up" would have done me in though. "What, I gotta entertain you AND lug your mums to your mum's grave? How about you entertain me? In fact, you carry the flowers, and give me your money too - meet my friends, Smith & Wesson." Oh well. It was a fun gig while it lasted. :)
The "chatting up" wasn't very elaborate. I mean, what do you expect a twelve-year-old to have to say to adults. The weather, the flowers, the crowds... And after a while you're out of breath too, so ... It's funny, I thought about connecting this to my crime writing. Budding (ahah!) con artists and the like, tense stand-off over a pot of mums. But I decided to keep it mild!
The beginning of this post resembles what I’m composing for my next post. We didn’t have Halloween in Romania, either, but some of us kids would celebrate on our own by dressing up and taking pictures with the family. Your November 1 jobs sound at least as fun as trick-or-treating!
I don't know about Brussels, but here in Paris, the trade of "Chrysanthèmes" for November 1st is still going strong. And Halloween is now enjoyed by all kinds of party goers (most often not kids) in the city whereas it probably was not in your childhood.
Anyone remember 'Trick or Treat for UNICEF?" People would give you extra candy for collecting donations. Kind of a tip. Wonder if it's still a thing, but then Trick or Treating in America seems on the wane, anyway. Great post.
I did! I also TP'd people's hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and cars. Those were the days...
What a colorful tradition, Martine. The "chatting up" would have done me in though. "What, I gotta entertain you AND lug your mums to your mum's grave? How about you entertain me? In fact, you carry the flowers, and give me your money too - meet my friends, Smith & Wesson." Oh well. It was a fun gig while it lasted. :)
The "chatting up" wasn't very elaborate. I mean, what do you expect a twelve-year-old to have to say to adults. The weather, the flowers, the crowds... And after a while you're out of breath too, so ... It's funny, I thought about connecting this to my crime writing. Budding (ahah!) con artists and the like, tense stand-off over a pot of mums. But I decided to keep it mild!
Love it - great story!
And TBH, I like the graveyard tradition a lot more than the candy-grubbing north american one.
But, I'm a well-known hallowe'en grump.
The beginning of this post resembles what I’m composing for my next post. We didn’t have Halloween in Romania, either, but some of us kids would celebrate on our own by dressing up and taking pictures with the family. Your November 1 jobs sound at least as fun as trick-or-treating!
They were a little more physical, but didn't put our teeth at risk for cavities, lol! Thanks for reading Andrei!
I don't know about Brussels, but here in Paris, the trade of "Chrysanthèmes" for November 1st is still going strong. And Halloween is now enjoyed by all kinds of party goers (most often not kids) in the city whereas it probably was not in your childhood.
Yes, Halloween was not on the radar when I was growing up. My nephew and niece tell me it's different now.