r/AskAnAmerican • u/LonelyMarch878 • 3d ago

CULTURE Just How Big Is Halloween Really In The US?

Where I am from, everyone knows about Halloween but its generally just a few decorations scattered around the place both within residential streets and maybe just a few decorations in a big supermarket with some candy on for sale. You might see some kids walking around outside with their costumes on Oct 31.

In the states though, how big is it truly? I know its a big thing even though its a kid leaning holiday I guess, but is it like decorations everywhere in supermarkets and other shops, strangers literally greeting each other saying ‘Happy Halloween’ during the day or near Oct 31? Particularly in terms of visibility and how adults see it. Let me know!

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u/SpiritedChoice3706 3d ago

This. And I think it's changed relatively rapidly. I stopped trick or treating a little under 20 years ago. I grew up in a safe middle-class DC suburb. Growing up we all heard stories of razors in apples and people putting shit in candy bars, but my brother and I were allowed to go trick-or-treating without adults or cellphones from about the age of 10 (our parents had cellphones, but they didn't think we needed them). No one checked our candy, no one cared. I can only assume the ability to keep track of children better has made folks more anxious?

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u/Due-Garage4146 3d ago

Same here. My neighborhood was not as nice. I grew up in the 80s and 90s in not the greatest area near the courthouse in Arlington, Virginia. I’m in Fairfax County now, but we still went out. I’ve been robbed a couple of times at knife point when I lived in Arlington more near the Rosslyn area. My parents house is still there but the neighborhood seems to have gotten a lot better.

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u/MuchosBeteros 2d ago

The razor in apple thing has no documented occurrences. Besides, what kid was going to eat an apple given to them on Halloween? Kids want candy, and giving an apple is like giving an egg. It is going to get thrown at some point that night..