Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

Apparently not. I don't know how big Halloween is outside the U.S. They try to make it a thing in Sweden, but no one's listening.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

In Germany wearing a mask or otherwise covering one's face to hide one's
identity may be illegal during certain demonstrations and public events, but
otherwise there are no rules concerning masks. Halloween has caught on in
Germany, but almost exclusively as an event for small children. Last year
was the very first time that we had a "trick or treat" visit by a couple of
children shepherded by an adult.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

No. Banks and the like take exception to people coming in wearing masks, full-face motorcycle helmets and similar, because robbers have used them to conceal their faces, but there's no law against wearing masks, and an attempt to pass one would likely be treated as a sign that the would-be legislator needed to calm down a bit.

There are people who try to get US-style Halloween going in the UK, but they're mostly businesses who sell costumes or sweets. It isn't part of the culture, and most people don't seem interested.

The idea that the Northampton clown is scaring people looks like exaggeration on a slow news day.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

I don't know. I'm scared of clowns.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

Are you sure it isn't just a feeling that clowns are supposed to be scary?

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

I never found them scary. Just annoying like in your face mimes. Though I really hate the smell of grease paint.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

There's a law in New York against groups of people wearing masks, which was in the news a bit ago when it was used against masked protesters.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

This clown reminds me of the "King of Augsburg", a guy who stood in front of
Augsburg's town hall in a white robe, barefeet and with a crown on his head.
He usually just stood there, often smiling, and watched his subjects passing
by. He normally was as harmless as a person can be, he could only get angry
when he was teased or harassed in some way, which unfortunately happened
much too often - there are too many people who react with fear and aggres-
sion whenever they encounter something which they do not comprehend. I
really liked our king, he was a bit like a fellow roleplayer, one who had mana-
ged to move over into his creation of his very own world.

Edit.:
Here he is, in front of the town hall gate, this time in his sunday robe and
without his crown:
http://www.fantasy.de/programm-und-a...g-von-augsburg

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

The thing is, European nations don't have the history with the Klan that the United States does.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

Are you familiar with the Waltham Black Act? Britain outlawed the wearing of masks and disguising face-paint in 1723. I think there was a death penalty under some circumstances, though those were customarily commute to deportation to America in indentures.