Speaking as a Yook, Halloween is another bloody Yooser (Yoosless?!) import. It's not a British tradition. Like Father's Day, it's now an excuse for the greetings card/nick-nack/cheap-tacky-garbage industry to make a quick buck (how appropriate!).

As, additionally, a steenkin' heathen, I don't regard it as a festival either. A night to be respected, perhaps, but it's not party time! The Wild Hunt is... particularly active... shall we say, & it ain't a night to be runnin' around outside! ;-)

MartinG - I'll half agree, half disagree. Yes, like anything else that someone sees an excuse to make money out of, it's now been commercialized & over-commercialized. No doubt about it!

On the other hand, I don't see why it is fun to be frightened. If you have ever been in a seriously frightening situation, you understand what I mean. Why do we "celebrate" this absolute morbid stuff?

But it IS fun to be frightened! Provided that the "fright" is in a controlled, non-threatening, we-know-it-isn't-real-really environment. No-one loves a ghost story like a kid (of any age)! Personally, I don't get off on it (my reaction to 'fright' tends to be to try & belt the fright. Only if I can't connect will I really start worrying! ;-) ), but I can understand the thrill & the sensation. And candy is a big incentive for a kid, be fair!

The point being that a seriously frightening situation is, as you say, seriously frightening. However, Halloween is supposed to not be a seriously frightening situation. It's a pleasantly frightening situation. That's the difference (if you see what I mean). Like Christmas, it's largely for the kids. I'd also rather it stayed over in America, but I don't get what I wish for often either! ;-)