whatever happened to halloween courtesy?!

We had a fair number of customers for Halloween this evening; much better than last year, when I think we had two. It probably helped that it was around 70 degrees at 8:00 at night, which is uncanny enough for anyone's taste. I couldn't help but notice, however, that the practice of saying "trick-or-treat"--or indeed anything at all--after you ring someone's doorbell has largely died out. Instead, supplicants stand mutely with bags outstretched, waiting passively for their sugary alms. It takes something away from the whole exchange, I think. One little boy did say something as he thrust his pillowcase, already groaning with loot, towards me: "no nuts!" Ah well, I guess that's where society is going these days.

Happy Halloween, everyone.