Miss Manners: My neighbor refuses to give Halloween candy to ‘outsiders’, who she says are ‘mooching’

I think this is ludicrous and against the whole spirit of the carefree holiday.

featured-image

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My neighbor and I had a heated disagreement about trick-or-treating. We are fortunate to live in a picturesque neighborhood of single-family houses, and our street is popular every Oct. 31.

We often get trick-or-treaters from other areas. Although I like having lots of kids to give treats to, my neighbor says this year, she is refusing to give candy to any “outsiders.” She says these children and their parents are “mooching.



” She actually hopes to get the neighborhood association to ban outsiders that night. At the very least, she will ask each child’s parents to prove they live in the neighborhood. I think this is ludicrous and against the whole spirit of the carefree holiday.

She says she is just correcting poor upbringing. Is she? GENTLE READER: More like demonstrating it. Miss Manners is guessing that these children are in your neighborhood because it is safer than theirs -- in terms of foot traffic, at least.

But apparently not in terms of kindness. *** (Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.

com ; to her email, [email protected] ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

) Latest Advice Columns Dear Annie: My daughter doesn’t speak to me, but she maintains contact with her dad, who gives her money Why Tho? Should I back out of a vacation I’m excited about because of my uncle’s political rants? Dear Abby: How do I tell my friend that I think she’d be happier if she got divorced? Miss Manners: It’s so annoying when waiters interrupt me when I’m having a conversation in a restaurant Dear Abby: What can I buy my terminally ill brother for Christmas? Nothing seems right..