Door-to-Door Dread?

Now that Hallowe’en is behind us and Thanksgiving is on the horizon (unless you’re in Canada, of course), it’s time to reflect upon a relatively new phenomenon – the merchant-hosted trick-or-treat – and its consequences.

Take West Seattle’s Junction Association of Merchants, for example. “Live Local” is their slogan. A fab organization that really breathes life into West Seattle’s downtown core. With its focus on living local, this organization of businesses creates, promotes and participates in any and all things that support neighborhood community. Through this they hope to enhance and encourage a happy and healthy West Seattle society, complete with a robust economy and a clean, sustainable, oceanic environment. West Seattleites are generally very community-oriented, politically educated, environmentally savvy and fairly organized (and yes, I am one). Like many Seattle neighborhoods, they have their own farmers market and blog. Very cool.

This past Hallowe’en, from 3 to 6 p.m., West Seattleites – both old and young (but mostly really young) – dressed in their Hallowe’en best and strolled out (and yes, many were in strollers or strapped to Mom or Dad) for the Trick or Treat at the Junction.

The streets were packed. Merchants stood outside their shops with bowls, buckets and trays filled with treats to hand out to the block-long queues of parents ‘n’ tots. Rumor has it that approximately 2500 folks trotted out for their Hallowe’en treats. A good time was had by all.

But wait one minute, now.

Although I think the merchant-sponsored trick or treat is great for young families with really young children, a part of me can’t help but wonder if this becomes a substitute – an evolutionary replacement, even – for good ol’-fashioned trick or treating: going door-to-door in your neighborhood….Right in your own backyard, if you will…. You know - really get to know your neighbors. Sure this pre-dark, one-stop shop for Halowe’en candy is fast, convenient for the parents, and safe for the young kiddies. But a part of me can’t help but feel like it’s Saturday at Costco – fight the crowds, push the shopping carts, wheedle past fellow shoppers for that paper cup of the latest snack food or a toothpick of chicken cutlet.

It’s really the kids above the toddler age I’m referring to here – what’s the deal? Why aren’t they out ringing bells, knocking on doors, and shouting “Trick or treat!” for all to hear? Valuable social skills – like the courage to initiate a greeting, make eye contact, or hold a conversation that lasts a tad longer than “thank you” – are entwined in this North American autumn tradition. As is really getting to know your neighbors. And that includes their names, their careers, their hobbies, where they live, their gardens, and the names of their pets (if any).

I’m proud to say I’m a West Seattleite through and through – one who lives only a couple of blocks from the Ave, no less – but was lucky if I had a dozen youngsters at my door on Hallowe’en night. The social skills one learns and the sense of community one builds from traditional trick-or-treating just can’t be learned from a shuffle down the Ave in assembly-line fashion. In the age of texting, tweeting, and iPhoning, the last thing we need is to turn the time-honored tradition of “visiting thy neighbor” into a big-boxed superstore.

Maybe I’m just irked because I’m left with nearly an entire bowl full of candy.

Hmmmm. At least I can avoid Costco for awhile.