Candy welfare for tomorrow's CEOs

Should you give candy to trick-or-treaters who aren't wearing costumes?

On the surface I say no, but I get mushy on that when I consider the incetives. I typically believe in following traditions wholly or not at all, so if you are going to trick-or-treat, put on a costume and be part of the game or don't go at all. Showing up at my door dressing in the same thing you wore to school this morning is, at best, candy welfare, and at worse it's a Jesse Jackson-style shakedown.

I think kids that go without costumes know what they are doing, in so far as bucking tradition but demanding candy anyway. It's rebellious. Therefore, rather than see it is as a risk and thus being understanding when I, the gracious giver of candy, decide not to give them a treat, these rebellious ones have an incentive to maintain their rebelliousness, which likely spells the end of my pumpkin or, worse, my comfy porch chairs.

So the downside - loss of the serenity of my porch or yard - is significantly worse than looking the other way and begrudgingly handing over a piece of candy. A theory worth testing, to be sure (and likely to be tested while renting), but if we're after maximizing our own economic benefit, being extorted by these costumeless children seems to be the best way to go.

But is it right for the long-term? Really, there's not much difference between the unfrocked children and bad-actor companies like Enron or Global Crossing. Both are acting within a framework - the Halloween spirit and the corporate structure - were there are standards and practices to be followed. Yes, some of the rules and constructs of those frameworks are dumb and we have to work to get them changed while still following them. But some rules are there because, without them, you fail to add real value to society.

Enron, for example, seemed to be creating jobs and wealth for thousands and thousands of people, when it reality it was doing the accounting equivalent to trick-or-treating without a costume, going through the motions and seeking the profit but not staying within the spirit of the rules.

Even if I lose a pumpkin or a lawn chair, by not giving these kids candy, maybe I can change their long-term incentive and get them playing within the spirit of the holiday. So no candy for them next year - but maybe I'll slip them some Enron stock.