killbenedictcumberbatch:

contrary to popular belief, youre not actually a better fan of something if you blatantly refuse to give any form of critical thought towards it

realsocialskills:

On Halloween, some people end up being really mean to other people, sometimes unintentionally and sometimes on purpose.

Some considerations for avoiding being a jerk:

Not everyone likes to be startled or scared:

• Scaring people is a major part of Halloween tradition, and it’s ok to like it
• But it’s also ok not to like it
• And it’s wrong to scare or startle people who don’t like to be scared
• Being scared when you don’t want to be is really, really unpleasant
• It can also be physically or psychologically dangerous for a lot of people.
• If you know someone doesn’t like to be scared, don’t scare them
• If you don’t know whether someone likes to be scared, don’t scare them
• If you think someone likes to be scared and it turns out they don’t, apologize and don’t do it again
• If scaring people is really really important to you, consider working or volunteering at a haunted house, or making your own haunted house.
• Scaring is ok, but it needs to be consensual

Don’t wreck people’s stuff:

• Some people like to smash jack-o-lanterns or other decorations, sometimes at the end of the night
• This is a mean thing to do, especially because some people, particularly children, get really emotionally attached to their decorations
• (Especially if they have put a lot of work into creating them)
• Some people might try to convince you that it’s just the done thing and that it doesn’t really upset anyone, but they’re wrong
• Breaking people’s stuff is mean
• If you want to smash pumpkins, get your own pumpkins to smash

Don’t be a jerk to people who don’t participate in trick or treating:

• Most adults who live in areas in which kids trick or treat are happy to participate
• It’s a good thing to do, but it’s not something anyone is obligated to do
• Some adults don’t participate, and that’s ok
• They might not be able to afford to buy candy
• They might not be able to get up so much or tolerate constant interaction/doorbell ringing.
• Halloween might be against their religion
• They might not want to participate for any number of other reasons
• That’s a legitimate choice, no matter why they don’t do it
• Some people punish people who don’t participate by egging or tping their house, or banging out the door over and over.
• Those are really mean things to do. Don’t do it.
• Trick or treating requires consent, and it’s not ok to be mean to people who don’t participate

Just, generally speaking – if something would normally be mean, it’s mean on Halloween. If something would normally require consent, it requires consent on Halloween. Don’t be a jerk.

swingsetindecember:

i wish more people said that being single is normal

and you’re not going to meet and marry someone

and that’s fine

and if marriage happens, it happens. and it’s not the next big ticket to check off in life’s checklist

because not everyone meets someone they want to marry. and that’s normal

you’re not broken or unfulfilled if you are single