TRICK-OR-TREAT JOKE-TELLING

Have you heard of this? In St. Louis, Missouri – and probably elsewhere – there is a tradition of asking kids to tell a joke during trick-or-treating. No joke, no candy. On its surface, the practice seems fun. But, as usual, adults are over-analyzing it and arguing the pros and cons. On the pro-joke side:
– It gives children an opportunity to converse with adults, promoting a useful life skill. And for some children with anxiety, it can be empowering to have safe opportunities to practice skills such as talking to strangers or reciting a joke.
On the anti-joke side:
– It causes anxiety for some kids and it’s supposed to be a fun holiday.
– Some adults go too far with it especially after drinking.
* PHONE TOPIC: Where do you stand? Have you ever heard of this tradition?
* Sure, I’d love to hold the front storm door open for ten minutes every time the doorbell rings on Halloween so I can stand and listen to seven kids yelling jokes at the same time while more kids pile up behind them ’cause the whole thing is taking too long.
* Then there’s the kid who, when he sees the candy you’re giving out, goes, “Is this some kind of joke?”
* Here are some not-awful Halloween jokes, if you need them:
– What do you get when you cross a firecracker and a ghost? Bamboo.
– What do witches use most on their phone? Spell check.
– What do you call a vampire that lives in a kitchen? Count Spatula.
– What do you call a witch who drives really badly? A road hag.
– What did the mother ghost say to the baby ghost as they drove down the street? Buckle your sheet belt.
– Why are werewolves always late? Because it takes them Lycan hour to get ready.
– How do you tell the difference between a boy ghost and a girl ghost? Their boooooobs.
– Knock knock. Who’s there? Grandpa. QUICK, STOP THE FUNERAL!!!