On a side note, we enjoyed Purim – a Jewish holiday where you get to dress up – just as much and for the same reasons.

Maybe we need less Halloweens and more dress up parties

The main theme of my thoughts are that US culture has a disproportionate representation within Australian society and that we don’t embrace our truly multiculturalism by placing attention as heavily on non-US international affairs. We rarely feature more than passing mentions on elections elsewhere yet the American elections feature daily (generally directly from the source giving an impression of first hand American point of view).

That’s what my concerns are, not in the ‘value’ of embracing American culture of which I’m sure there is much value in (as I say confirmed pop culture addict – much of it stemming from the US) but in the overwhelming nature of our media’s attention of which the US version of Halloween is an example. It doesn’t happen vice versa to be sure.

So in my case I probably would prefer not to be labelled a racist or anti American because I find the idea that there is such a heavy interest in American affairs over the rest of the world.

I not expecting ‘Brown’ t-shirts come the next British elections, or the same lead up and anticipation regarding the New Zealand elections. It’s odd how all hyper connected roads lead purely to the US then. Since we live in the Asian Pacific region I would have thought the politics of our neighbours would be of at least some interest?

You ask what’s so offensive then I guess what I’m saying is that the offensive part is the fact that we don’t act ‘multicultural’ and we put an awful lot of attention and emulation into the ‘US’ way of life. Yet many of us have little understanding of our neighbours and the countries of origin that make up huge cross sections of our multicultural society.

This is coming from someone who loves American comic books, science fiction and of course movies, I certainly don’t see myself rejecting the shining light of America nor putting my head in the sand, I have been following the election like everyone else however I’m also not wearing Obama t-shirts and discussing who I’m going to vote for like some Australians have. Perspective.

Going back to the topic at hand though is Halloween in Australia and for the majority of people celebrating it they are doing so purely off the superficial replication of the American model of Halloween. Someone however like goatlady will be looking at the day for as she put it the ‘world history’ behind it. This I’m all for and I wish Australia would also consider more thought into other culture’s significant days not just the glossy commercial ones (there’s still plenty of room for them too though).

I was wondering what is the best time of year to plan a trip to OZ?

The conclusion that I reached, and most I spoke to agreed, is that I like the aspects of imagination and community contained in the celebration. The kids enjoyed planning their costumes, and getting dressed up to go outside on public display, and then we all trouped around knocking on doors and chatting and laughing and connecting with our neighbours. Some of the locals really get into the spirit of the occasion, and we got a tour of a fairy garden by the Wicked Witch of the West at one home…!? She was scary and hilarious at the same time, and my little man loved it.

So we started talking about ways to make it better for the kids next year, get those that want to more involved, and those that don’t can clearly opt out. Maybe a kid’s party or concert at the end of the trick or treating, too…an opportunity to dance off some of that sugar, and once again connect as a community.

But I also draw the line at Thanksgiving…

I also find it disappointing that for people who exist so predominantly on the internet – the world wide web – so many of us have such a limited geographically entrenched idea of the world. What is so offensive about taking an interest in the world outside your immediate borders? What is so offensive about taking an interest in the US presidential elections for example? The outcome will have implications for all of us. Of course as Australians we cannot vote, but when did that stop us from acknowledging things in candidates that resonate with us personally?

This is a hyperconnected world now. We share ideas and data from all around the world in an instant. There is really no way to justify burying your head in the cultural sands and hoping anyone who doesn’t do or believe what you do in your street doesn’t exist. Nor should you want to! Stop thinking of it as ‘us’ and ‘them’ and realise there’s only us. We are joined together by our humanity. Think about it.

It certainly interesting and all but if I see another Obama shirt in Brisbane I’ll… I’ll probably just raise an eyebrow and mutter something under my breath.

I just find the whole thing a little disappointing I guess is the word I’ll use. I watch a lot of American TV but I’m always aware that I’m looking in from the outside. Halloween certainly isn’t being celebrated because of its origins.

On the flip side though we embrace Valentine’s Day and maybe the two aren’t so different?

I will not be celebrating Thanksgiving – the line has to be drawn somewhere!!