Monday, November 19, 2007

SANTA UNDER FIRE


Poor old Santa has been getting a lot of bad press this week. He can’t seem to do right for doing wrong. First of all apparently it’s no longer politically correct for Santa to say, “Ho ho ho!” Apparently a U.S. based recruitment agency in Sydney, Australia is telling potential Santas to say “Ha ha ha!” instead, for fear that the traditional “Ho ho ho!” may frighten children. Apparently the word “Ho” has a totally different meaning in the U.S. and is a slang term used to describe ladies of the night. Surely no child would know this anyway. I certainly didn’t and I’m an adult! “Ha ha ha!” just doesn’t have the same ring to it! In my opinion, this is taking political correctness a bit too far!

On another note some Santas in this country are being encouraged to slim down, to set a good example to children. Whoever heard of a slim Santa! Going to Santa’s grotto to have your photo taken, sitting on the knee of a chubby Santa was half the fun of Christmas for children of my generation. The Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent is running a boot camp for overweight Santas to get themselves slim on the run-up to Christmas! Apparently shoppers at the centre will be able to watch as the Santas are put through their paces in a bid to get them in shape! A manager from the centre said the idea was to make sure that Santa was fit so he could deliver all the presents! Oh dear poor old Santa! Looks like he'll have to give the traditional glass of sherry and mince pie a miss then as he does his rounds of all the houses!

14 comments:

Sheila said...

I saw that story too. How silly can we get?

Naomi said...

Yes I agree this is the height of foolishness Sheila!

Marion said...

I would be more frightened of Ha Ha Ha. Ho ho ho just sounds more jolly, as it was meant to.

The other sounds kind of scary, as if he might be laughing at me!

Naomi said...

I never thought of it that way Marion. Now you come to mention it, "Ha ha ha" does sound a bit scary - like something out of a horror film! Not what we come to expect from Father Christmas!

Unknown said...

Oh my! If they succeed, think of all the wonderful Christmas memories that the children nowadays will miss out on...

Alastair said...

I kinda think that all political correctness at the moment goes a bit too far! I am all for inclusive language and being careful with anything that might be racist, sexist or harmful, but when you get to this stage you just have to laugh at the ludicrousness of it all!

Naomi said...

Yes it would be such a shame Janey.

I quite agree Alastair, this is taking political correctness too far.

Rajiv Thind said...

They are censoring Santa now. Kinda sad. Wonder if they will demand all previous movies, books, comics, posters etc should be reprinted and redubbed to remove the Ho Ho Hoes? This is insane.


Santa belongs to people who have the right to attribute their own sentiments, moods etc. to him. I for one noticed this new website wanted me to put down ''EVENTS'' in my calendar. So I wrote: ''December 24- 26: If sighted, remember to shoot Santa and steal all his money and possessions.''

Naomi said...

I wouldn't be surprised if they do Ember with all this pettiness going on. Poor old Santa!

Naomi said...

P.S. Thanks for stopping by Ember. Hope you enjoyed your visit here.

Kyle and Svet Keeton said...

The crazy crazy world! I just don't have words! To kill tradition, to kill old sweet image - that's bad!

Best wishes!
Svetlana and Kyle

Naomi said...

I agree it's certainly is bad Svetlana and Kyle. Nice to see you both again.

Miss Trashahassee said...

If Santa said "Ha ha ha" to me, I'd bust him upside his red-capped head and punch the cherries out of his rosy little cheeks.

Just sayin'.

BFF,
Miss T

P.S. Ho ho ho!!!!

Naomi said...

Oh dear! I hope Santa keeps quiet if he sees you Miss T! Otherwise I feel sorry for him - he'll be in the wars! Poor old Santa! Ha ha!