Social Anxiety Support

BeNice · 10-30-2009, 01:49 PM

Posted in response to this article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...-festival.html

Quote:

I have never realised what the attraction is with this festival
I think as a country we have become desperate to celebrate something and in the absence of family who used to make their own fun at various gatherings, we now rely on trends and the commercial market to tell us what to celebrate. Also it makes a fortune for the retailers who are rubbing their hands with glee from now until Christmas.

I know that Halloween is all about fun and candy, but outside of that I think it's pretty stupid. There are all of these Halloween parties and they emphasize that you must dress up. What the Hell? I'm 27. Maybe I don't want to dress up anymore. Of course, I was brought up in a church that looked down on Halloween, leading me to never dress up much, so maybe if I was able to get in on the fun more as a kid I would be more into it now.

drealm · 10-30-2009, 02:15 PM

Yup I agree with the quote. The family unit is dead and along with it's death, all it's tribal practices of the family have been flushed down the toilette. A number of for-profit themes have filled the vacuum, some are harmless like walmart holidays, others more dangerous. Sooner than we think, we'll be going the way of the Romans.

That said, retail this year is gonna suck. I expect a few retailers to close their doors after Christmas.

Jnmcda0 · 10-30-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeNice

There are all of these Halloween parties and they emphasize that you must dress up. What the Hell? I'm 27. Maybe I don't want to dress up anymore.

Then don't go to the party. Do you feel the same about Christmas parties, where they encourage you to wear a Santa hat and sings songs about flying reindeer and magic snowmen? How about Mardi Gras celebrations where they encourage you to dress up or wear gaudy necklaces?

It is ironic that the term "Halloween" actually has a Catholic origin. Halloween is derived from the Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"...sow rhyming with cow). Samhain was a 3-day festival to honor the dead and make animal sacrifices to the deities for a good harvest. The ancient Celts believed that the "veil" between this world and the afterlife was thinnest at this time of year and that the spirits of the deceased could return to Earth. Around the first century A.D., the Romans conquered the Celtic lands. The Celts continued to follow their religious traditions. Around 800, in an effort to convert the Celts, Pope Boniface IV created the Catholic holidays All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day (on Nov. 1st and 2nd, respectively). All Saint's Day was originally called All Hallow's ("hallow" being the Old English word for "saint"). The night before All Hallow's was known as All Hallow's Eve, which eventually became "Halloween".

Neither the ancient Celts, nor modern-day Wiccans worship Satan. They don't even believe in the existence of Satan. Much like some Christians don't celebrate the commercialized version of Christmas, some modern witches and Wiccans don't celebrate the commercial side of Halloween. Samhain/Halloween is considered one of most, if not the most, spiritual holidays by witches and Wiccans.

SilentLoner · 10-30-2009, 05:28 PM

If you don't like it don't go, don't have to ruin it for people who like it.

Today I saw a bunch of people dressed up (including Waldo, Banana from Family Guy, Pirate) and it was fun to see. A lot of people on the metro were smiling in good humor.
For Halloween I like to go to Gerorgetown in Washington D.C, the streets are filled with people in costume and its insanely fun.

zookeeper · 10-30-2009, 05:32 PM

I would think the pope would have better things to do than worry about the dangers of halloween.

Unless... was he a dentist before he became pope? Maybe he's concerned about our eternal dental souls?

nubly · 10-30-2009, 06:00 PM

i like holidays. i like the atmosphere, especiall chritmas. bah humbugs can hate holidays but that doesnt mean there arent people that enjoy them.

Cerberus · 10-30-2009, 07:45 PM

The appeal of Halloween is that it gives girls an excuse to dress like wh0res.

BeNice · 10-30-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnmcda0

Then don't go to the party. Do you feel the same about Christmas parties, where they encourage you to wear a Santa hat and sings songs about flying reindeer and magic snowmen? How about Mardi Gras celebrations where they encourage you to dress up or wear gaudy necklaces?

I don't. I'm not aware of any Christmas parties that involve those things, by the way.

You know it's a pretty much s--- holiday when the majority of costumes for women are the "sexy pirate" or what have you. God forbid a woman not wear something sexually appealing. If I was to go to a Halloween party, most women won't be dressed as Gumby. It's usually something that shows the legs, maybe a sexy Gumby. I have nothing against dressing up, and if people want to encourage creativity and having fun, cool. The reality is that people past their early 20's don't give a flying s--- and that's why they have to emphasize that you dress up.

I just think it's another cheap holiday. Hear comes Thanksgiving. Why do we have this again?

nothing to fear · 10-30-2009, 08:33 PM

well, that must have sucked as a kid. it's probably the lack of excessive candy consumption during your childhood that has lead to such pointless miserable feelings towards such a harmless and actually pretty awesome holiday.

i have many fun family memories related to halloween from my childhood and they don't involved my parents just buying **** for me. sure it's a festivity that commerical retailers take huge advantage of, but a lot of the traditions i would do with my family or friends aren't that related at all to that aspect. pumpkin picking in the country, pumpkin carving, decorating the house, making our own costumes, trick-or-treating with my younger cousins or friends, etc.

frankly i think halloween is a lot more based on the experiences and happy memories than christmas is now days, even though christmas probably seems much more sacred and meaningful to many people.

yes being able to dress up in sexy costumes is something that some love to take advantage of and it can get annoying and ridiculous but who the hell cares, honestly. its one day a year, let people have their fun and act or dress as outrageous as possible. no one is forcing you to participate or watch. *shrugs*

BeNice · 10-30-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nothing to fear

well, that must have sucked as a kid. it's probably the lack of excessive candy consumption during your childhood that has lead to such pointless miserable feelings towards such a harmless and actually pretty awesome holiday.

I ate plenty of candy. I did get to celebrate it to an extent, too. I guess that was after I "got smart" around 11-12. After that, though, it's kind of no fun anymore. By the time you are 14-15 you've realized how retarded the entire thing is and it's hard to enjoy it. People like the Pope are just kind of clawing around in a bunch of rotten poop. Nobody really cares that much, but it looks pretty bad. My church had some crazy ideas similar to what the Pope is talking about. Halloween is just for treats and wearing costumes, and another excuse for adults to get drunk (but you must wear a costume). That's just about it. I guess it's everything else that comes with it, like the pornographic costumes and other excessive s--- from China, that is disturbing to me.

Iced Soul · 10-30-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentLoner

If you don't like it don't go, don't have to ruin it for people who like it.

Agreed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerberus

The appeal of Halloween is that it gives girls an excuse to dress like wh0res.

Well, people like to dress up, but I doubt that girls only like Halloween to dress sexy. I, for one, will be completely covered up, being Alex from Clockwork Orange.

I like Halloween. Always have, always will. No one will make me feel stupid for liking it or celebrating it. If you don't like it, don't celebrate it. Simple as that, really.

Jnmcda0 · 10-31-2009, 05:58 AM

I dressed up as Dilbert (the comic strip character) for work yesterday. The women I saw dressed up for work yesterday were wearing appropriate costumes.

It has been my experience that a lot of women who dress slutty for Halloween parties also tend to dress like that for non-holiday parties as well.

hi im joe · 10-31-2009, 06:24 AM

I dont understand the hate for halloween from some people. Its just for fun, dont be so serious.

Zephyr · 10-31-2009, 07:53 AM

I sort of agree, in that I'm not sure where or when or why Halloween became an adult excuse for partying. Adults can party anytime; why Halloween? I can see Thanksgiving and Christmas since those have the traditional aspects of getting together with friends and/or family. To me, Halloween still means kids dressing up and getting candy. Oh, and The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror annual episode. If only they weren't so blah now...

Atticus · 10-31-2009, 08:20 AM

Up through the 1960s halloween was about kids dressing up and terrorizing neighbors who coughed up candy as tribute. By the time I had a kid, in 1981, it had mostly ceased to be about kids trick or treating. I have years when 1 or 2 kids come to my door. I live on a cul de sac, but I grew up in this house. Literally hundreds of kids came by back in the day. The demographics of the neighborhood have changed, but not that much.

In the 70s everyone became afraid to let their kids go door to door talking to strangers. There were a few ugly incidents of candy spiking, although most are urban legends. However it happened, the kid aspect of halloween morphed into organized parties and such. Then baby boomer adults turned it into a drunken party.

Not that its related directly, but Cinco de Mayo used to just be May 5th around here. St Patick's day has always been a party day, but its exploded the past 30 years, too. Like someone said, bread and circuses maybe.

Iced Soul · 10-31-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi im joe

I dont understand the hate for halloween from some people. Its just for fun, dont be so serious.

I don't either. So, what if adults want to dress up and have fun? Everyone should be able to.

Brightpaperwarewolf · 10-31-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zephyr

I sort of agree, in that I'm not sure where or when or why Halloween became an adult excuse for partying. Adults can party anytime; why Halloween? I can see Thanksgiving and Christmas since those have the traditional aspects of getting together with friends and/or family. To me, Halloween still means kids dressing up and getting candy. Oh, and The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror annual episode. If only they weren't so blah now...

It's all about finding a theme to throw a party. Besides, what other time of the year gives the excuse for chicks to go clubbing in lingerie, wearing little bunny ears? I used to love Halloween for that reason.

UltraShy · 10-31-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnmcda0

Neither the ancient Celts, nor modern-day Wiccans worship Satan. They don't even believe in the existence of Satan. Much like some Christians don't celebrate the commercialized version of Christmas, some modern witches and Wiccans don't celebrate the commercial side of Halloween. Samhain/Halloween is considered one of most, if not the most, spiritual holidays by witches and Wiccans.

Don't Wiccans have both a god & goddess? I'm not sure where they stand on Satan, but given that Satan is a character from the Christian Bible, I'm going to make a wild guess that Wiccans aren't into him as he's a Christian creation from a book they're not into.

Even Satanists (at least the Anton LeVay variety) don't worship nor even believe in Satan nor any other supernatural beings. Satanists are just atheists with ritual & flair.

It always amazes me how some right-wing extremist Christians think atheists worship Satan. Here's a news flash for them: we don't worship nor believe in any of the supernatural characters from your Bible.

TiMeZuP · 10-31-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi im joe

I dont understand the hate for halloween from some people. Its just for fun, dont be so serious.

Being serious isn't something people can just "turn" off.

Micronian · 11-01-2009, 06:50 AM

The adult world is different from the kid world. The adult world has halloween disco-club nights and house parties merged more and more into the expectations of real life. so much so that women are expected to look sexy even on halloween. About men? I don't know.

Personally, I wish I could stay in the kid world forever, where you can go as whatever your heart desires, do interesting school activities, go around with your friends, and take all the candy you can. And no expectations are put on you other than just go and have fun.

10-30-2009, 05:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
SilentLoner Status: Otaku Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lost in thought, though occasionally I may be located at an anime convention. Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 2,452	If you don't like it don't go, don't have to ruin it for people who like it. Today I saw a bunch of people dressed up (including Waldo, Banana from Family Guy, Pirate) and it was fun to see. A lot of people on the metro were smiling in good humor. For Halloween I like to go to Gerorgetown in Washington D.C, the streets are filled with people in costume and its insanely fun. __________________ "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” -Plato "When a cold wind blows it chills you - chills you to the bone. But there's nothing in nature that freezes your heart like years of being alone." OTAKU UNITE! “We honor Dr. Tiller’s legacy of service to women.” Dr. George Tiller 1941 -2009 Memorial Web Page http://www.iamdrtiller.com/ http://www.remembertiller.com/

10-30-2009, 05:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
zookeeper Status: The floor is lava!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Soap Fortress Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,066	I would think the pope would have better things to do than worry about the dangers of halloween. Unless... was he a dentist before he became pope? Maybe he's concerned about our eternal dental souls? __________________ You leapt into the abyss, but find It only goes up to your knees, ~ Nick Cave

10-30-2009, 07:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cerberus Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 5,721	The appeal of Halloween is that it gives girls an excuse to dress like wh0res. __________________ "Through the valleys grey Through the shapeless land I walk alone I'm left alone Through the deepest void, a blackened paradise I walk alone, I'm left alone"

10-30-2009, 08:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
nothing to fear Status: silence is sexy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Gender: Female Age: 20 Posts: 4,840	well, that must have sucked as a kid. it's probably the lack of excessive candy consumption during your childhood that has lead to such pointless miserable feelings towards such a harmless and actually pretty awesome holiday. i have many fun family memories related to halloween from my childhood and they don't involved my parents just buying **** for me. sure it's a festivity that commerical retailers take huge advantage of, but a lot of the traditions i would do with my family or friends aren't that related at all to that aspect. pumpkin picking in the country, pumpkin carving, decorating the house, making our own costumes, trick-or-treating with my younger cousins or friends, etc. frankly i think halloween is a lot more based on the experiences and happy memories than christmas is now days, even though christmas probably seems much more sacred and meaningful to many people. yes being able to dress up in sexy costumes is something that some love to take advantage of and it can get annoying and ridiculous but who the hell cares, honestly. its one day a year, let people have their fun and act or dress as outrageous as possible. no one is forcing you to participate or watch. shrugs __________________ everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt. ~ i really like music. and photography, though i'm nothing special.

10-31-2009, 07:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
Zephyr Status: gone Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 9,579	I sort of agree, in that I'm not sure where or when or why Halloween became an adult excuse for partying. Adults can party anytime; why Halloween? I can see Thanksgiving and Christmas since those have the traditional aspects of getting together with friends and/or family. To me, Halloween still means kids dressing up and getting candy. Oh, and The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror annual episode. If only they weren't so blah now... __________________

10-30-2009, 02:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
drealm Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: California Gender: Male Age: 22 Posts: 292	Yup I agree with the quote. The family unit is dead and along with it's death, all it's tribal practices of the family have been flushed down the toilette. A number of for-profit themes have filled the vacuum, some are harmless like walmart holidays, others more dangerous. Sooner than we think, we'll be going the way of the Romans. That said, retail this year is gonna suck. I expect a few retailers to close their doors after Christmas.

10-30-2009, 06:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
nubly Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA the greatest and best country in the world!! :) Posts: 7,065	i like holidays. i like the atmosphere, especiall chritmas. bah humbugs can hate holidays but that doesnt mean there arent people that enjoy them.

10-31-2009, 05:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jnmcda0 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Florence, KY Posts: 2,103	I dressed up as Dilbert (the comic strip character) for work yesterday. The women I saw dressed up for work yesterday were wearing appropriate costumes. It has been my experience that a lot of women who dress slutty for Halloween parties also tend to dress like that for non-holiday parties as well.

10-31-2009, 06:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
hi im joe Status: and i have social anxiety Join Date: Sep 2009 Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 56	I dont understand the hate for halloween from some people. Its just for fun, dont be so serious.

10-31-2009, 08:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
Atticus Status: under a sheltering sky Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis Age: 52 Posts: 3,531	Up through the 1960s halloween was about kids dressing up and terrorizing neighbors who coughed up candy as tribute. By the time I had a kid, in 1981, it had mostly ceased to be about kids trick or treating. I have years when 1 or 2 kids come to my door. I live on a cul de sac, but I grew up in this house. Literally hundreds of kids came by back in the day. The demographics of the neighborhood have changed, but not that much. In the 70s everyone became afraid to let their kids go door to door talking to strangers. There were a few ugly incidents of candy spiking, although most are urban legends. However it happened, the kid aspect of halloween morphed into organized parties and such. Then baby boomer adults turned it into a drunken party. Not that its related directly, but Cinco de Mayo used to just be May 5th around here. St Patick's day has always been a party day, but its exploded the past 30 years, too. Like someone said, bread and circuses maybe. __________________ Basically I'm just gonna walk the earth. ....You know, like Caine in Kung Fu - walk from place to place, meet people, get in adventures." Jules after his epiphany

11-01-2009, 06:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Micronian Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Osaka, Japan Gender: Male Posts: 1,940	The adult world is different from the kid world. The adult world has halloween disco-club nights and house parties merged more and more into the expectations of real life. so much so that women are expected to look sexy even on halloween. About men? I don't know. Personally, I wish I could stay in the kid world forever, where you can go as whatever your heart desires, do interesting school activities, go around with your friends, and take all the candy you can. And no expectations are put on you other than just go and have fun. __________________ "I might be great tomorrow, but hopeless yesterday"