Comments on: Taking Candy from a Baby

By: CE

CE — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:53:35 +0000

Hi Jeff,

I am really happy to see this article. In my country, or say Asia, Halloween has become a popular day for people to have fun.
We are not so crazy about costumes but we will definitely get together with friends with simple dress code such as something in orange or some Halloween-theme decorations. It is a lot of fun!
I also like Thanksgiving though. Although this holiday is like another holiday which people tend to spend with their families, I like it purely because of its name.

Thanksgiving is coming up and thanks to the wonderful program produced by you and Lucy.

CE from Japan

By: Tania

Tania — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:54:52 +0000

Hi!

“What is the late November doing?
And hollyhocks that aim too high
Red into gray and tumble down
Late roses filled with early snow?”

East Coker by T.S.Eliot

By: Tania

Tania — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:49:07 +0000

Hi! I was in my capital Bucharest for three days.
Is it late to say “trick or treat”?

By: Betty

Betty — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:59:10 +0000

I think I should write something here before 31 October finishes here in Hong Kong.

I have 12 minutes to do that.

************

Dear Jeff

I really like this article. I do not like adult dressing up for Halloween. I don’t know the history of Halloween but I thought it celebrates ghosty things which is not something we human being should do.

It is natural for children to get excited because this is the only time they are allowed to go to their neighbours’ house, knock at their doors and say ‘Trick or Treat’.

Why do adults want to celebrate Halloween? I cannot understand!

Thanks again, Jeff, another year has gone, Happy Halloween?

Best Regards

Betty

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:57:10 +0000

Dear Jeff ,
Thanks for the references to the past holloweem entries at eslpod archives. I read them to my heart’s content )
I carved out a big pumpkin and set it right outfront on the left side of the drive way.
I carved a very scary ,smily face on it ,and I plan to set up a candle right in the center of the pumpkin . No wait , candles may flutter if it is windy a bit. I didn’t think it through. Perhaps I should use a small battery-powered bulb.
Oh , I was thinking out loud, sorry
I meant , I have it ready and I have a big jar of candy for kids. They better show up anytime befor 7:30 since my own brand of hollowing starts at 730:))))
I leave home for church street at 7:30.
You know,there is a street called Church street located in the core of down town.every year ,in holloweem eve people form all over Toronto get together there dressed up in deligtful customes. They spend the night out doors socializing ,and mingling.
They compliment one another’s customs . They make jokes about one another,and make funny ,scarry voices. All in all , it is a fun night. And , more importantly ,a night with a high potential to meet girls )
Seriously , Halloween is a great event to meet girls.
Oh,
There is on more thing,just recently, I noticed sth new regarding halloween.
Over the past two weeks, There were flyers all over the place advertising face painting rather face disguising by professional make-up artists,a new way of making big money:)
There is sth rather strange about halloween ,though.
It is a popular event that almost every body ranging from kids to elderlies participate in it,yet the government does not recognize this as an official rather statuary holiday.
People have to go to work the whole day, but they are allowed to wear customs at work.
I always take a day off in halloween,no matter what

This year around ,due to financial snags ,I made a mask out of odds and ends at home: ,a funny face :)))

By for now

By: hubert

hubert — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:07:58 +0000

Jeff, you have described one example of wider phenomenon. In the past every teenager wanted to change sneakers to dress shoes. I remember, I envied that my father wears a tie. Now every manager want to show that he can wear sneakers also. It is bad trend I think.

By: Nele

Nele — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:01:49 +0000

Hi,

in Germany, since a few years, less young children going from door to door, ring the bells and shout: sweats or treats.
Most people didn’t know what this exclamation means. Here is no tradition for this doing. But you can see costumes and a lot of decoration stuff in the shops.

Today, here is Reformationstag, reformation day. Martin Luther postet the 95 thesis, as a consequence the separation of churches followed (Protestant church and Catholic church). In some areas today is a holiday, in other areas not.

Best regards Nele

By: A+M

A+M — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 22:01:27 +0000

Dear Jeff

In my view, in this era due to having more expectations of life, adults need more happiness. Perhaps it’s because of “keeping up with the joneses” in their life!

I have been following your pods specially ESLs for 2 years ago.
Eventually, what I’m going to tell about you and your group is that you have a real “beautiful mind’, without exaggeration.

Sincerely,
A+M from beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful IRAN:)

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:43:04 +0000

Dear Jeff,
Very interesting take on Halloween and all that it presents.
But, in my book, it is not here ,.nor there.
Some people use these kinds of official festive days as an excuse to let some steam off .
I mean , Halloween with all its unusual Customs ,shindigs ,and funny rituals could be a good break from the humdrum routine of everyday’s life in order to be a bit different for a change.
Contrary to the general idea of Halloween as a creepy night in which poltergeists and evil spirits arise to play havoc and horror, halloween is a festive occasion full of fun and laughter,a good opportunity for adult individuals to let go and let loose

I Personally believe that is one of the reasons why Halloween has gown in popularity among adults.

Yours
Peter

By: Sergio

Sergio — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:50:33 +0000

Hi Jeff!

I discovered this site a few time ago.
But, I like so much to access it.

I can learn about English language and about culture too!Thanks!

Sergio