Best "Inappropriate" Halloween Costume -- And The Argument For An "Inappropriate" Halloween
And the winner for the costume is...Edgar Allan Ho. Missing only the fishnets.
Some argue against trampy Halloween costumes (at least when women wear them) or twisted ones for men or women, but let's try to remember that is the national holiday of bad taste and ease the hell up.
Sure, ladies, you might want to rethink twice about whether it will help your career for the sales staff to see that mole on your left breast when you dress up as a serving wench. But that's something to look at on an individual basis. It might humanize some bosses. Especially if it's a man dressing up as a serving wench.
Some people get upset seeing costumes that use humor to deal with things we're afraid of -- like death. Laughing at the stuff we're afraid of, mocking our fears, makes them smaller. Wearing a zombie costume doesn't mean you think your neighbor should have his brain eaten by zombies. And going as an Ebola patient doesn't mean you think it's funny that countless people are dying in Africa.
We are going too far in squashing free expression these days -- to the point where college professors are supposed to print trigger warnings in the syllabus for The Iliad. We've gone from "the land of the free" to the land of the free to demand a life without upset or offense. This creates an environment where there's a chill on speech, which negatively impacts all of us, and supports the continuing erosion of civil liberties in this country. And it makes us a nation of prissies.
There's mistaken thinking that having good manners means never saying or doing anything that offends anyone who is sensitive. We need to care about that. At the root of manners is empathy -- if you are going to a hospital ward, don't dress up as a disease. And wherever you're going, maybe rethink that zombie Robin Williams, outfit complete with the noose, because there are people you may run into on your Halloween travels who've lost people to suicides.
But free expression is also really important. The economy's still in the pooper and a lot of people are having a hard time making ends meet, and we're going to have Downton Abby Rules in effect? How about we don't?
And I'd like to advise something I've suggested before -- that people wear Halloween costumes on, oh, May 6 or February 17th. A furry pair of dog ears with an attached nose worn without remark at the drugstore will make people smile and laugh. This is a good thing.
Speaking of "sexy" costumes, saw a link to GUYS wearing WOMEN's "sexy" costumes.
Going to show my good manners by not linking it. I didn't even go to the link: I'm figuring 1-2 views would likely exhaust the entire planetary supply of Eye Bleach. . .
I'm sticking to my standard Halloween costume. A Cheap Suit with an IRS nametag, a briefcase, and Vampire Fangs. . . .
Keith Glass at October 30, 2014 7:13 AM
Remember the first rule of inviting British men to a costume party: If you're a betting person, bet on many or most coming in drag.
Amy Alkon at October 30, 2014 7:19 AM
Two Spartans at Thermopylae:
I hear the Persians can put so many arrows in the air that they blot out the sun!
Good.
Good? how is that good?
We'll be able fight in the shade!
Also, speaking of rules, here's the Secret Police, err, Service.
I R A Darth Aggie at October 30, 2014 7:24 AM
I've been trying for years to convince my husband that we need to be Sonny and Cher for Halloween (he'd be Cher), but he's never agreed.
"And I'd like to advice something I've suggested before -- that people wear Halloween costumes on, oh, May 6 or February 17th." The Hubs has lederhosen that he wears to barbecues year-round.
ahw at October 30, 2014 7:47 AM
It's Halloween, not a psychological examination.
Dress up as whatever you want (put some thought into it). Go to a party. Drink too much. Wake up on the neighbor's lawn, in a strange bed, in an alley, or in jail. Go home. Eat all the leftover candy. Go back to work on Monday and act like you had a nice but uneventful weekend.
That's all. Leave your mother, your childhood, and your irrational fear of clowns out of it.
Conan the Grammarian at October 30, 2014 9:05 AM
I just taped a KPCC radio appearance on this -- airing this morning, I think!
Amy Alkon at October 30, 2014 9:43 AM
Do you like this Ray Rice costume?
Patrick at October 30, 2014 12:32 PM
Gotta do something will all the leftover jerseys.
Conan the Grammarian at October 30, 2014 2:47 PM
The complaint that gets me is the one that goes that Halloween is a holiday for children, and the existence of adult Halloween parties somehow ruins the holiday for children. Why are not both chidrens' and adults' Halloween parties possible? We can do it. We have the technology.
Cousin Dave at October 30, 2014 3:54 PM
1) That's not a mole
2) British men do that because (exception: Emma Watson) they look like British women.
At Portsmouth, we noted that Brit ladies walked like Charlie Chaplin. No idea why.
Radwaste at October 30, 2014 6:18 PM
Rawwk! Nevermore!
My city used to make Halloween an exception for its 10 pm curfew for juveniles. They don't anymore. It probably wouldn't make a difference now, since all the kids are driven around by their parents these days.
In 10 years, tops, I predict there will no longer be a Halloween for kids at all. The schools will substitute a daytime party, with no candy and lots of nagging advice never to eat any.
All this brainwashing is truly scary.
Maybe the zombies should rise up and...
jdgalt at October 30, 2014 8:22 PM
As far as I'm concerned any costume that isnt ghoulish is inappropriate... crayons, cops, princesses... unless you're a vampire crayon, cop, or princess.
NicoleK at October 31, 2014 12:17 AM
If Halloween is cancelled, what will Jack Chick do?
DaveG at October 31, 2014 5:07 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/10/30/best_inappropri.html#comment-5379261">comment from NicoleKNicoleK, I like your thinking!
Amy Alkon at October 31, 2014 5:23 AM
"I got a rock."
Suddenly, looking back at those Charlie Brown specials, they don't seem so funny any more. Adults giving rocks for trick-or-treat to an innocent child?
Patrick at October 31, 2014 5:06 PM
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