I don't know the first thing about the custom outside of the US ... Here in my small town it is a load of fun and I look forward to it every year. I have never had 1 case where something was damaged or someone was a jerk. I only had polite kids (including the High School kids last night) all with some very clever costumes .. It was one of my favorite things to do when I was a kid ... and I am glad I live were I do because it hasn't changed at all from what I see even though the town is different and so is the state from where I grew up.   

Loads of fun except I eat way too much chocolate myself this time of the year