Who are you/do you want to become?

With the coming up Halloween, I started seeing costume stores and Halloween party organizations everywhere. People are trying to decide what they will wear, where they will go and whom they are going to be with.  As a non-American student living in the United States, Halloween is probably my favorite tradition of Americans. I never see anyone sad on that day no matter what. Everybody shares the partying idea and gather in different places. Even though it’s not a religious day, people encourage each other to be happy and live the spirit with their costumes.  But how do people decide what they are going to be out of millions of characters? Do they have specific reasons while they choose their outfits?

Even though every one becomes someone different than whom he or she really is, he or she still shows part of him/herself in his or her costume. For instance, a funny guy prefers to become a baby instead of a superman or while a sexy girl chooses to be a French maid, another girl who does not like to show sexuality can be a country girl. A guy with an emperor costume and a Cleopatra girl both show that they like authority and see/want themselves as leaders. Therefore I think costume choices depend on your character. Personally, I was an M&M last year, which took so much attention since it was so cute; however most of my friends would not choose that costume since they would prefer more feminine costumes.  I really liked taking attention and people’s requests of taking pictures together. A  distant person would not like to have pictures with foreigners; therefore would not wear that costume probably.

In this sense, one’s Halloween costume act as a medium, which helps people to get an idea about that person. It gives the message of whom you like or whom you think is worth to be.

Another Halloween tradition, “Trick or Treat” is also a medium between people. Small children visit their neighbors and relatives on Halloween and get the chance to talk to them. Many grownups see those young people with this chance through this tradition.

Since I’m too old to take a Trick or Treat trip, I’ll only satisfy myself with another funny costume which I’m planning to wear this year. I’ll again draw attention and people will come and meet me. What are you going to wear? Who knows maybe your costume will bring new people to you.