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Sometimes people understand the word ‘culture’ in a very narrow sense. They may think that culture only includes art and very old traditions, but actually it also has a wider definition. It also encompasses the behavioral norms, the way we dress, the way we speak in different contexts and other aspects of our lives. 

We can say that the way we celebrate occasions also is a part of our culture. Festivities always attract the attention of people and it unites them even if they are from different cultures. However, we do not always understand why people in other places have certain traditions. For example, non-Americans have a lot of questions about Halloween because it is not that popular in places other than the USA and other people may view their dedication to the occasion as weird.

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Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31 and it is believed that it has pagan roots. The customs may be influenced by folk folk customs and beliefs from the Celtic-speaking countries. The theory that is the most popular says that the celebration comes from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain.

Like many other celebrations, it is believed that the Samhain festival was Christianized by the early Church but others claim that it may have been Christian from the start. It is difficult to say as it evolved through many centuries and nobody held records of these kinds of things. 

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MizAdeleM
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be a yes. I have my Halloween tree set up in the front hallway, and my headstones out front. Halloween-...e600c3.jpg Halloween-2003-6165a05e600c3.jpg

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The Samhain festival marked the end of the harvest season and it meant the beginning of winter, when more than half of the day was dark so it was also a mysterious time. It was believed that on the day of the transition the boundaries between this and the other world would be less defined. 

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People believed that at this time spirits could enter their world and among gods, fairies and demons, their lost relatives could come to their home too. That is where all the treats come from as people would make a big dinner out of the harvest to make the spirits feel welcomed. 

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MizAdeleM
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will be celebrating my first British Christmas this year, when I travel to visit family in the UK.

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Don't Look
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This year would have failed you. The decorations everywhere are all gone, have been for a couple weeks. In fact, I would wager that black friday is going to be a s**t show considering that it's already been made public that merchandise is going to be short this year.

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The Christian influence can be seen in the tradition that many Church festivities would start the day before, on the vigil as Halloween is the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day on 1 November. That is where the name of Halloween actually comes from. 

If the pagans believed that the October 31 night is when spirits come to Earth in Christian tradition it is explained that on that day people should spend time honoring the saints and praying for the recently departed souls who have yet to reach Heaven. 

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AndThenICommented
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s some irony that the OP used the term “y’all” while calling the culture strange haha 😂

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Julie Harden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's quicker to say "the 4th", "Halloween", and "Christmas". For me, it's all about efficiency.

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Skara Brae
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few people rent costumes. Many purchase them, but they are such poor quality they may not last long. Some wear them again in subsequent years. People often make costumes from old, used clothing, or sometimes by sewing.

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Halloween didn’t become widely celebrated in North America until the 19th century when Irish and Scottish mass immigrated to the continent. Over time it evolved to this huge holiday that we see now and its influence can be felt all over the world.

Even though it was commercialized in modern times Halloween is not a superficial festivity without no meaning and created just for fun. It has some meaning to it and it has analogues in other countries too when the dead are honored and in some countries people will just light a candle, go to church or cemetery and in others they will celebrate this occasion with more bang and pizzazz.

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Lady of the Mountains
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

think...sweetened condensed milk? but in the texture of wax? meh, if you're european you probably wont like it

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There is actually more to Halloween than just a couple of paragraphs can contain so if you want to know more about its roots, researching it can actually reveal very interesting knowledge that you wouldn’t think to find. 

But there are things that only Americans can answer about how they celebrate it, why they feel it became such a big holiday and do they really need all those decorations. If there are any Americans reading this list with all the questions, the rest of the world would really want to know the answers so please write them in the comments! Also, don’t forget to upvote the questions that you would like to be answered the most!

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sofacushionfort
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, one of the holiday rituals is “demonstrate a psychological theory.” Most people chose the Tragedy of the Commons. Me, I’d think the Milgram Experiment more in keeping with the spirit of the holiday, but my lawyer pointed to its complications.

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Nikki Sevven
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family carves pumpkins every Halloween...and decorates cookies for Christmas, and dyes eggs for Easter...

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Cyndi Wrenn
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We dress up and have a contest for different categories of costumes

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Sara Rosen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nos such thing as taking Halloween too seriously. NO. SUCH. THING.

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Vivian Orr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We just have a lot of fun with it. Most do not take it seriously in the pagan/religious manner. Although some do but not most. It’s just a great time to get dressed up in some of the most amazing ways you can think of. It’s a good excuse to party and just let go of all the things in today’s world that can cause you stress. And then there’s the candy!! Yum!

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Skara Brae
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Halloween is mostly for kids who want to get free candy, and adults that want to have a party. Many people like wearing costumes. It's just for fun.

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Isidien Gudmundsdottir
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We take every Holiday very serious because we don't have that many days off as non-Americans so we grab any and all opportunity to celebrate as if it were our last celebration.

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Nikki Sevven
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Half my closet is filled with Halloween costumes, really detailed ones. Sometimes, I replicate a character I like (Tank Girl complete with comic book-style rocket launcher, Cenobyte from Hellraiser complete with handmade puzzle box). Other times, I "create" (Little Red Riding Hood: Werewolf Hunter, Alice Cooper in Wonderland). Oh, and I'm 56yo.

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boredkoala
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same, though probably not quite as elaborate as yours, they sound awesome!! Rock on!

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Debby B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s wrong with kids loving and celebrating a fun afternoon/evening in the Fall by dressing up and collecting candy?? I’d say soccer fans are over the top, but Halloween?

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Don't Look
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, name something that at least one large group of americas doesn't take way too seriously.

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Rebecca
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Life is way too serious. Halloween actually helps us take it down a notch by embracing fun and ridiculousness.

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Grant Barke
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Won’t be much fun when that huge medical bill arrives for that poisoned candy you trick or treated for from one of your evil neighbours.

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Scooter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not just you. Though Home Depot has a pretty awesome 12 foot skeleton I would love to have.

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Jim Day
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop obsessing over what the "Americans" are doing. Sounds like you just need to have some fun in you life.

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tuzdayschild
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's free candy man! How can one take free candy too seriously?

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Mike Loux
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our health care sucks, education is expensive, and wait staff get a shitty wage. We need SOMETHING to distract us from the misery...

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Grant Barke
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Halloween is Satan's way for you to celebrate and embrace all that misery.

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Mary Jeffries
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people in America enjoy being enthusiastic about things. I read this as a frequent descriptor of Americans. Personally, I love looking forward to each of the holidays and decorating accordingly. My life is a lot more fun when I don’t take myself that seriously.

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Grant Barke
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its a satanic ritual to lure children to the dark side with candy.

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JD Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did you seen the president voted out this last go-round? Giant orange pumpkin married to a cold witch. Clearly we take it all very seriously. 👻

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Jane W.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All depends on the individuals involved. Some offices like to have a party, and the schools love the holiday for all the art projects it creates for an entire month.

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Brenda Pereira
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT? Halloween IS serious. Serious fun! It's the best holiday of the year! Everyone thinks Christmas is the favorite, but that's only if you're a kid. Once you figure out there is no Santa, Halloween becomes your favorite. It's all about the excitement and anticipation of dressing up and laughing at each other or having the little kids be so excited when they come to the door all dressed up and timidly (usually) saying 'trick or treat'. You can act all surprised or afraid or whatever and the kids get such a kick out of it. I give away the good candy because the kids alway go away from the door yelling to each other about what they got, like it's a treasure hunt. I even dress up my dog who loves/hates all the kids coming to the door. I don't know who has more fun, me, the kids, or the dog!

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Mazer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a party, heck the Irish convinced us to take a day off to party with them, for no other reason than to party. People love to party and love to get creative

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GeeGee
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s not just you. Yes. Halloween is ridiculously taking on more and more Christmas traditions— there are Halloween trees, “advent” calendars, lights, nutcrackers, the list goes on. I think it gives people who don’t like Christmas an outlet.

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chrissy goodman
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

nope there is no such thing as too seriously. however there is such a thing as seriously fun

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because we're an uptight, self oppressed society that needs a specific day we're allowed to actually enjoy life like we should have been doing all year.

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Sky Render
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine that, the nation that has the biggest sugar addiction ever takes a night where sugary sweets are handed out en masse to children and runs with it! (Seriously, though, it's just fun to dress up silly and nobody acts like there's anything strange about you. That's why anime and comic conventions are so fun too!)

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Leslie Burleson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so much fun though. Everyone loves a little bit of spookiness and dressing up .

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Sara Rosen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Why is it ok to decorate for Christmas but not Halloween? You do your things but Imma get me some ghouls for MY garden.

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BoopBoop
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the only holiday we have that doesn't come with some kind of baggage. It's literally just for fun, and also to scare away the spirits walking abroad that might steal our souls.

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Stephanie Rohweder
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best seasonal store ever. It's like Halloween Santa. Only shows up once a year and you never see it until spooky season

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NoneYa41
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the big ones that are carved aren't eating pumpkins. Just like there is 'field' corn that's used for animal feed and corn products which is not the corn you buy at the market to eat.

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Susan Rapacz
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do you think we get our costumes and skeletons and witches and giant rubber rats and fake spider webs and coffins and monsters?

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NoneYa41
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the same reason people think Christmas is 2 months...media and marketing.

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