It never ceases to amaze me how many adults still look forward to getting all dressed up in a Halloween costume to wear to work. Call me a stick in the mud, but other than a costume party Halloween is a holiday for the children. In fact I stopped trick-or-treating long before many of my peers did; I was 12 the last time I participated in knocking on people’s doors to ask for candy. No one forced me to stop. I guess I just lost interest. But another Halloween is upon us and while my wife takes the kids around the neighborhood I’ll stay home and hand out the candy. I think maybe this year when a child at my door asks ‘trick-or-treat’ I’ll go with the trick. See if these kids have anything planned. After all, why should candy be an automatic? You gave me the option. If you’re unprepared don’t dare say, "treat please."
This blog, however, is not about how the Grinch Stole Halloween. No, I’m more interested in Halloween in the workplace. I so look forward to coming in and seeing who had the guts to get all dressed up that morning. I would imagine there must be thoughts like I hope I’m not the only one going through one’s mind as they commit to spending the day in full regalia. My favorite is the office tease. The one that uses the holiday to come to work dressed like a slut. Ya know; dressed as a French maid, a nurse, or a mistress of the dark. I imagine them planning it for months, starving themselves weeks prior, and waking up at 4 am to get everything just right. They often proceed to go to all the men in the office offering up a little spin and asking how they look. Maybe you’ve not had the pleasure of working with one of these gals, but it is always a treat, let me tell you.
The other type I wait for is the person that takes it to the Nth degree. The guy that shows up looking like he could be the lead in the next John Carpenter movie. I work with a guy that showed up as a zombie Krispy Kreme deliveryman last year. He had the uniform, a slit neck, and his whole face painted green. This seemed (and I could be wrong) especially awkward after nobody, and I mean nobody else in the company (of over 100) , showed up donning a costume. I swear all the makeup in the world couldn’t hide the hint of shame each time he walked into an office, hallway, or kitchen of people dressed like it was any other day. They too seemed to feel embarrassed for him. There was always the, oh… hey…. cool… um… costume… comment to end the uncomfortable-ness. Of course the day came and went, and in the grand scheme of things, it really made no difference in his life and had no lasting ill effects. With Halloween only hours away, I am curious to see if he decides to stick to his guns and go all out again. Maybe he’ll wise up and just leave dressing up to the children.
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