Do you make kids say "Trick or Treat"

[TippyThomas]

I seem to recall a Halloween horror movie starting out this way.

A group of small kids come up to the door in cute costumes and say, "Trick or Treat!" They walk off together with the candy. As the owner is about to close the door, she notices a teen, hanging in the back behind the kids. He's all dressed in black, wearing a white ghoul face mask. "Oh! I almost didn't see you. I didn't think there were any teens living so far out this way anymore." She peers around, "You didn't come with any friends? Well, that's okay. That means more for you then! Here you go!" She hands him some candy. He never talks. He looks down strangely at the candy given to him, then wanders off as the owner closes the door. It is then we close in on the ghoul's face and learn the ghoul face mask is not a mask. That is actually his face.

Remember, All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween is when the separation between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest. This "thin veil" is thought to allow spirits and ancestors to more easily cross over to the human world.

Well, now I know I'm not opening the door! Well, at least they didn't show up last night, so I'm safe for another year.

 

[_19disnA]

All of the kids say 'thank you' which seems polite/appropriate. I don't really care if they say anything else. Usually there are a group of kids walking with their parents and for all of them to say 'trick or treat' seems unnecessary. Most of the rest of the year, I think small kids tend to be shy around strangers or don't often interact with people they don't know.

 

[Disneylover99]

Nope.
I’m giving out treats to have fun, not to teach protocol or manners.
I don’t even think about it when I answer the door.

We had about 200 kids last night. Not sure if all of them said trick or treat cause many come in groups. Everyone seemed polite overall.

 

[sam_gordon]

I did have some kids just come up and simply hold out their bags. I asked if I got to take candy out of their bags. Usually got a laugh.

 

[mjkacmom]

They should say Trick or Treat and, more importantly, Thank You! If they are under two years old or so, then they get a pass from me. It's called teaching them manners.

And if they are non verbal?

 

[mjkacmom]

We get a ton of kids, it was so cold, put out a bowl and just refilled it. I would never make any child say trick or treat.

 

[sam_gordon]

And if they are non verbal?

Would you send your non verbal kids up to strangers alone?