An Outsider’s Perspective on Halloween

We are all accustomed to the traditions of carving pumpkins, getting dressed up, and shelling out for candy. Does that mean that these traditions aren’t the least bit out of the ordinary? Think of it this way: If two aliens came to earth on Halloween night, what would they be puzzled about?

1. Carving our Food At thanksgiving we make pumpkins into pie, and at Christmas we carve our turkey for eating purposes. But on halloween, we carve our pumpkins, put a candle in it, and place it on our porch. Not the most intuitive thing to do with a pumpkin. Did you know the original Jack-o’-lantern was apparently a turnip? ( Source ) I love turnip, preferably on my plate…

2. Only the kids get the candy At least on Christmas everyone is getting gifts. What’s with only kids getting to go trick or treating on halloween night? What kind of reaction do you think you would receive if you were in your 20′s and went trick or treating?

3. People are wearing teeny tiny costumes…and it’s cold outside At Easter you expect to see little girls wearing spring dresses, and at Christmas you expect to see snowsuits. But on Halloween you can expect to see anything at all, including bear arms in chilly night conditions! (I will admit I was one of those little girls who always wanted to dress up as a princess and not wear a sweater, pants or jacket.)

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Let me be clear here: I don’t have anything against Halloween, in reality I think aliens would be confused at just about every human tradition we have here on earth. For instance having another post with a picture of oat bran…
…strangely obsessive! Another breakfast of pudding oats , this time cooked with cinnamon plum green tea, and cheesecake instant pudding.

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What are some things you think are strange about halloween? What are you dressing up as for halloween?