Halloween, Belgian-Style

When we left Germany back in 1992, not a soul in Europe seemed to have a clue just what Halloween was all about. Boy, has that changed! Now, you see typical American-style Halloween decorations in many stores all over Europe, complete with fake cobwebs, witches, and creatures that appear to be a genetic cross between a ghoul and a Smurf. There are pumpkins for sale everywhere, but very few understand the concept of carving a scary face into them (come to think of it, I don't get the historical root of that one myself...). As for the most important part - trick or treating - most of the European kids I've met haven't yet gotten the word about this American once-a-year goldmine for sweets. But at least a few in Flanders seem to be aware: a recent newspaper article even told them what to say when they knock at the door, and it's great: the translation would be "Your treats, or your life!" And this is friendly Belgium, not some former East Bloc nation. American kids just threaten to trick you; here, it's the death penalty if you try to pawn off some crappy 2-pound-bag-o-candy-for-a-buck sweets. I guess I'm secretly hoping the doorbell doesn't ring tonight...