Why are people suckers for tacky fads? Halloween is becoming so commercialised. We all complain about this. So is it who buys the tat? I saw a garden tonight with plastic lit up gravestones and skeleton hands reaching out the ground. This was in a wealthy suburb. Funnily enough they glowed RIP! Why let yourself be ripped off? Apparently manufacturers of this tat says its getting as good as Christmas;
Halloween used to be a bit of spooky fun. The kids would make a costume (yes, even in the 70's and 80's) and go round the neighbours, tell rubbish jokes and wail tuneless songs. You would get monkey nuts in your poly bag. These are now replaced by glow in the dark witches cauldrons or jack- o-lantern pumpkin pots. There are face paints, pull-over latex masks, ready made costumes galore. Every 'guiser' looks perfect now. No-one needs to ask; 'so what are you then?'
We've fully embraced the Americanism of 'trick or treat' something earlier generations would have been too embarrassed to shout on strangers doorsteps. Of course the evangelicals decry it as a pagan, satanist thing that will harm our children. Hand me the face paint, think I'll go and get myself treated.
Hi Gavin.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry I’m hogging blog space not to comment on your blog but to make this unusual request…
I’m a Ph.D. student at Glasgow University trying to find out how people across cultures (U.K. and India) approach life-work, love, leisure, what is important to them and the different things that means ‘happiness’ to them. So I’m here to interview British/Scottish men and women between the ages of 25 and 35 from different walks of life.
And thought this is a good enough way to locate participants..
The interview would be a couple of hours long- we can break this up into a couple of sessions. And there are also some written exercises.
But why would you want to do this? Well for one, you will be part of an important study that eventually aims to find application in making people happy :) Two, you get to talk about yourself for two whole hours while somebody is really paying attention! Three, when you come visiting India, you can stay in my home in Mumbai and you will be taken around. And four, I’ll buy you coffee and snacks (or beer) over the session (s).:) Five, and this is exclusive to you, but I'm doing a split Ph.D. and study at one of the premier social work institutions in India (www.tiss.edu). Have many friends like you!
I need about 10-12 people and each is therefore very crucial for the study. We could arrange a place that is convenient to YOU and I’ll produce my university id and passport if you want to see it (!!).
So, if you find this interesting, please mail me at mamthakarollil[at]gmail[.]com. Trust me, most people really enjoy this experience.
Please reply.
Eagerly,
Mamtha.