A bank robber Halloween costume may lead to trouble.
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I like Halloween as much as the next ghoul, but this holiday can be fraught with danger if you’re dressing the part of a fool.
Common sense should really be exercised on this spooky evening, especially if you’re not waiting until nighttime to don a costume like most everyone else.
For starters, wearing a bank robber costume and entering a financial institution during daytime hours, even if you have an account, is just asking for trouble, especially if you’re packing your pistol – open carry, for Pete’s sake.
My friend did just that and ended up underneath 20 screaming cops – and a police dog drooling on his head while waiting for a treat.
It’s probably not a good idea to dress up as a medical professional unless you’re under 10 years of age. If someone chokes on candy or has a medical issue, they may expect you to render aide. If you can’t, then you better switch your costume to more of a court defendant’s look.
For cryin’ out loud, don’t wear a full-size head of any creature while driving. My dopey cousin donned a huge dog head as part of his attire last year and ended up crashing his vehicle, according to court records.
Apparently, a little old lady distracted him by flailing her arms about next to him in traffic. She was a dog lover and got excited when she saw Fido driving at 55 mph. He ran over a street sign, two mailboxes and a bale of hay before crashing to a stop on top of someone’s pumpkin display.
If you’re going to smoke or drink from a whisky bottle while Halloweening, don’t do it while wearing a superhero costume. It sets a bad example for those still toddlering around.
It’s probably not a good idea to show up at office parties wearing angry costumes or carrying around weapons, even if they are fake, especially if you’ve been in the human resources office for issues with co-workers.
I understand the need we feel to use self defense in order to protect ourselves, but I don’t believe it includes the times we visit haunted houses. The fact that a monster may jump “out of a bag” on you while wielding a bloody knife (providing it’s a rubber one) in no way gives you the right to stab, shoot or otherwise assault or batter a haunted house employee. I can’t imagine the nightmare scene that would create for law enforcement.
I don’t like to spend money on things if I don’t really need to, so what I do for the candy I toss to the kids and their “snacky” parents is to search for it throughout the year. There are plenty of businesses that give candy out just for visiting them.
I go through a few different drive-throughs a week asking for one or two pieces to start the stockpiling process, then crash a couple of parties here and there.
By the time Halloween rolls around, I’m loaded up on the candy to give out. I don’t really think candy goes bad, at least not like spinach or cheese.
Finally, learn from my failure – don’t enter a courthouse dressed as a cop and then argue with a deputy because you think you should be able to just walk through the metal detector, regardless of all the bells and sirens that you set off.
There’s no reason for Halloween to have anyone stressing out or having family members raise money to pay for your bail.
Happy Halloween!
Anngee Quinones-Belian lives in Murphy. Email her at anngeeq@gmail.com.