Do you remember my song House of Ghosts? Well, today is Halloween - and honestly, it’s one of those days I’ve never liked. Nothing about it is my cup of tea. I don’t get the concept, and I certainly don’t see the point, except that it’s yet another money-making event machine imported from the United States.
Maybe in America, the whole walking around the neighborhood and asking for sweets thing makes sense. But here in Switzerland? Not really. Here, neighbors spend all year avoiding eye contact, pretending not to see each other in the hallway, and treating a simple “hello” as an intrusion.
We’ve lived in this house for eighteen years now. The neighbors’ kids don’t even have the decency to say hello - let alone their unfriendly parents. And yet, every year, they have the audacity to ring our doorbell until 9 p.m., expecting treats. Seriously? The irony is almost poetic.
Copying another country’s traditions while living in social isolation makes no sense. But I’ve long since given up trying to understand my neighbors.
The last truly unpleasant Halloween experience actually inspired my song House of Ghosts, from my album Cocktails of Society. We probably have the worst neighbors in the history of awful neighbors - coldhearted, ignorant, selfish, unkind, and yes, shady.
Unfortunately, we share a laundry room with six other families. Over the years, I’ve witnessed and endured everything from petty theft to outright sabotage. It’s a dark comedy of human behavior - or maybe just a tragedy.
Wherever you are, I hope you’re blessed with kind, helpful, and honest neighbors. If you are, treasure them - because having good neighbors is like winning the lottery. They’re worth every treat in the world.
I’m already bracing myself for another long, annoying night - the neighbors’ kids ringing the doorbell like there’s no tomorrow. Oh dear…
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