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All about Halloween

Photo by Di Chapdelaine.

Emily Cooper, 17, of Prior Lake plays a Corpse Bride at Valleyfair's Halloween Haunt, aka Valleyscare. In the Blood Creek Cemetery scare zone, she pushes a baby carriage that holds a surprise for park visitors. Makeup by Di Chapdelaine.

Trick-or-treat, please: British etiquette guide issues Halloween advice

Last update: October 28, 2009

LONDON - Trick-or-treaters beware: Manners count — even on Halloween.

Britain's authority on etiquette, Debrett's, issued its first guidance Wednesday on how to behave during the uber-American holiday.

Although the holiday originated with Europe's Celtic pagans to mark the end of summer — typically celebrated by bonfires to ward off evil spirits and children disguised as spirits of the underworld — it has only been recently that British stores have swelled with Halloween stock and trick-or-treaters have canvassed streets for candy.

"Good manners are very important," said Jo Bryant, etiquette adviser for Debrett's. "There has been a growing presence of Halloween over the past five years and we're receiving many more queries on how to behave."

Common questions are: Is it acceptable not to open one's doors to trick-or-treaters? How many times should children be allowed to ring a door bell before moving on? And can one forego a Halloween costume at a party?

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