When there's a knock at the door tonight, as there will be, I won't be getting up to answer it. As usual, I'll hear the footsteps on the stairs and turn the telly down so that it's not quite as obvious that, rather than there being no one home, the someone home is not opening the door. Is it OK to ignore trick or treaters? I can't be the only person hiding in the lounge, hoping they'll get the message fast and move on (some don't, and knock twice: awkward).
Many Halloween deniers claim that they are not organised enough to buy treats in time, and until last year, this was my position too. But, embarrassed into participation by pure guilt, last year I bought sweets and put them all in a basket on the front step, with a sign on the door that said: "Baby asleep, please don't knock, but help yourselves!" This didn't work, as the basket got emptied by the first trick-or-treaters and ended up in next-door's garden, although the baby slept on. So this year it's back to the usual.
I can't be the only person who feels excruciatingly rude for ignoring the knock at the door, but I am overcome by dread at what might lie on the other side (this is Hackney, after all). Would it be more polite to open the curtains and make an apologetic gesture, or to yell through the letterbox: "Sorry, not playing! Try next door!"?
In short, is it OK to ignore the trick or treaters? All advice gratefully received.
