Saturday, November 1, 2008

Why I "Don't Like" My Country

This is just one of the several reasons why I don't like my own country...
And believe me, when I say "don't like" I'm just being polite cause I'm trying not to use the "hate" word as much as I do!
Here's the deal:
Here in Portugal we do not celebrate Halloween (it's not part of our cultural tradition) so we do not have the "trick or treat".
However, in the morning of the November 1st, kids go out to something similar to that, which is called "bread for God".It's the same thing that your kids do but without the customs.
Today my kids went door to door to ask "bread for God"...
Last year happened the exact same thing...
Now just let me remind you that we live in a 5 to 7 floor buildings neighborhood!...And that each floor has 3 apartments!...
My kids went through the entire block and this was what they got!...




Let me just point out that the drops were given by one person,the cookies by other,the short cake by another and the jellies  bags by other...
Two kids...A whole block...And this was what they got...
There's no sense of COMMUNITY!
Thanks God they were not in trouble asking for help, cause if they were people wouldn't even bother to open up the door!!!


10 comments:

Tina said...

oh no that is such a shame that people didnt answer and you dont celebrate traditional halloween.

at least the kids got a few goodies though for their troubles

Unknown said...

I can understand that you're disappointed, on the other hand... it's still quite a lot.

Maybe you can make a leaflet next year, writing down the custom of the area and asking them to be prepared.

We don't celebrate halloween here, but one of the women wanted to send her kids out to trick and treat. She made a list of moms who wanted to participate.
The kids got the list and were told those were the only places to ring a bell.
It was a huge success!

In fact they didn't get more than your children, but they felt like they received heaven.

nanaygin said...

I think laane suggestion is great. Here in my country, trick or treat is also not part of our local tradition. However, it is celebrated in selected areas and people usually make announcements and stuff so people who wants to join can sign up.

Mom Knows Everything said...

That's so sad for the kids. All of Aidan's halloween candy got eaten by my sisters kids over the weekend and I'm upset that they did it without asking.

Petula said...

I guess I understand the disappointment, but we don't celebrate Halloween because of the true meaning behind it. Someone happened to come to the door while I was standing there and I apologized and the mom said that hardly anyone in our neighborhood does it. I noticed a few houses lit up and decorated. I also know a few people who say they don't support the "begging holiday!" Our church would do something called Holy Night and the kids would go dressed as bibilical people and get treats, games and fun. I like that much better than the door to door stuff of Halloween. It'll be okay, hon, try not to be too upset.

Toni said...

Sweetie I am so sorry! I hate that for you and your boys! Come on lottery!!!!!

imelda said...

in the philippines it is not celebrated , too however, a few are doing it influenced by the english TV shows.

sis, i got a tag for u here, if u like it, u may post it. thank you.

www.mymoods.net

Unknown said...

We do not celebrate Halloween either it in the Philippines or in Holland where I lived for a couple of years with my husband.

We do however have another tradition in my home country - we go to the cemetery and have sort of a picnic.

It's a pity that traditions are slowly fading away everywhere.

Juliana said...

We also don't celebrate Halloween in here. But we have Sint Martin at 11 Nov, when the children walk on the street with their lampion and come to door to door for candies.

Angeline said...

hmmmm... I'm a little confused here... what's the purpose of this festival (or event) what is it trying to promote or in remembrance of who or what?