A "trick" in the old days of Halloween (or during the rest of the year) consisted of throwing an egg, spraying shaving cream, using a whoopy cushion, obnoxious phone calls (using a rotary phone) or maybe -- in extreme circumstances -- a finger trap or foul-tasting gum. By the time I got to high school, my friend Michael and his (immature) buddies would stage more elaborate "pranks" (like faux car-jackings amongst themselves). A bit more dangerous, but not really mean-spirited.
We often read now about schools having "lock-down drills" because of idle bomb threats. Slightly more heinous than smashing pumpkins, wouldn't you say? Candid Camera has morphed into shows like Punk'd. How did we evolve into such a society of serious prank-players?
An intelligent, well planned practical joke or scary mask can be very cool. I like a haunted house with people in costumes jumping out at me as much as the next chick. But what's with the nasty, destructive, and hostile acts -- at Halloween and year-round? Make treats, not tricks!
A Plethora o' pranks (most of them harmless or simply stupid)
The Merry Pranksters (who only liked to drop acid -- they weren't evil-doers)
Comments