Father's Day

refreshingly self-knowing. I got my Dad nothing for this newly invented americanism. jude "Cacoethes scribendi" http://www.judesworld.net

I'm glad you used the lower case a for americanism Jude; that'll put them in their place! We'll be celebrating Independence Day next. And we've got bloody Halloween coming up soon. The whole concept of that is just nasty. Give us something or we'll wee all over your dog. But I've got the razor blades ready to insert into apples and oranges and Ribena cartons cunningly re-filled with paraffin.

I've been told it is prudent to tape up one's letterbox around halloween on this estate to stop the educationally subnormal delinquents putting fireworks through. I'm thinking of putting sprung mice traps just behind the box to snap their little fingers if they should so dare. Gosh this needs a whole new thread : 101 horrid things to deter trick-or-treating-pikeys. jude "Cacoethes scribendi" http://www.judesworld.net

My friend lives in a neighborhood where kids are notorious for egging and firing off paintball guns. Our plan is to take our own paintball guns, go on his roof, and repel the enemy forces, should there be any. Plus, the paintballs we bought glows in the dark. This promises to be an interesting Halloween.

hey whats wrong with halloween? didnt we get that from mexico? if so, it isnt quite american as it seems. Sophia Grace

hey whats wrong with halloween? didnt we get that from mexico? if so, it isnt quite american as it seems. Sophia Grace

The trouble with it is that it is an 'import' brought about by TV. Just like 'school proms' or 'father's day' (thankyou for the socks, basting brush and small plastic duck with lovehearts on it) it is not part of our culture but a cheap imitation, encouraged because it makes us buy stuff, of another culture. That's not necessarily a bad thing but we should be aware of its origins and be able to say 'no thankyou' as a result.

"hey whats wrong with halloween? didnt we get that from mexico?" Mexico? Surely not...! Wasn't it something to do with Catholics and the next day being saints' day or something? (note to self: google to get all the facts before posting on forum next time) EDIT: and I'm sure the Irish Catholics didn't go around demanding chocolate on the 31st. The trick or treat element is, I would think, almost certainly American.

I used to live next to an American air base and yes, they celebrated Halloween. But we Brits in the village didn't. On the subject of Father's Day when kids said to me that 'my dad could beat up your dad' my retort was 'yeh, but my mum's got bigger tits than your mum!'And she did. She couldn't wear a bra she had to use scaffolding.

Well, I don't go in for Halloween, for much the same reasons as everyone above, but I DO like Father's Day. I've been a Dad for less that two years and the novelty hasn't worn off yet. I got a bottle of single malt from the Isle of Islay, because that was where Springwatch was coming from - which shows much thought for a one-year-old.

Halloween actually originates from this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain ...a pagan celebration which I would have no qualms in celebrating. ...and by the very way, I did know this fact before consulting Wikipedia - I just opted to use this as a clarification tool! ;) pe ps oid ... What is "The Art of Tea"? ... (www.pepsoid.wordpress.com)

And by the most way, I also do not "do" Mother's Day, Father's Day or the most dastardly of dastardly-ness... Grandparent's Day... Fpahh!! pe ps oid ... What is "The Art of Tea"? ... (www.pepsoid.wordpress.com)