SYDNEY (AFP) - Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday. Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph reported. One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could frighten children and was too close to "ho", a US slang term for prostitute. "Gimme a break," said Julie Gale, who runs the campaign against sexualising children called Kids Free 2B Kids. "We are talking about little kids who do not understand that "ho, ho, ho" has any other connotation and nor should they," she told the Telegraph. "Leave Santa alone." A local spokesman for the US-based Westaff recruitment firm said it was "misleading" to say the company had banned Santa's traditional greeting and it was being left up to the discretion of the individual Santa himself.
Wouldn't you think that women would find it offensive to imply that they may take "ho-ho-ho" offensive? So, now it comes down to making Santa sound dumb. This isn't political correctness; this sounds like someone trying to find something to complain about. Next year, I guess Santa's belly can't shake like a bowlful of jelly because wearing padding will be offensive to those overweight. Do we have a roll-eyes smilie? We need one.
I'm puzzled by this. "Ho" is a US slang term, it doesn't have the same meaning in Australia as it does in the US. Perhaps THIS might be the real reason it was "banned". "SANTAS working in shopping centres across Australia have been banned from bellowing "ho ho ho" because it might frighten children." I actually found the Westaff website (The one's who supposedly banned the Santas from using "Ho, Ho, Ho". According to their PRESS RELEASE, it was misunderstood.
so dumb! there was a story on the other night ( i think cnn ) about some people think santa should go on a diet. they said that he didnt promote healthy eating habits for children?!?!?! who cares??? its santa!! hes suppose to be fat
You do understand that it was misreported and Santas weren't actually banned from saying "Ho, ho, ho", right?
It's the odd, horrific, and rare that does make it in to the media. After all, you'll never turn on the TV only to see a special bulletin that John Doe woke up this morning. When was the last time you heard, "Extra, extra, read all about it. Local bank didn't get robbed!"?
We were talking about Australian Santas supposedly (and incorrectly reported) banned from sayinh "Ho, ho, ho". The Lowe's "Family" Trees was discussed in another thread.
I wouldn't want Santa saying "ha,ha,ha" - I might thing he's LOL at me :? Country's going to hell in a handbasket :roll:
Welcome to the United States of The Offended. What about Ed McMahon? Doesn't he ho, ho, ho? Or does he huh, huh, huh.... No, wait that's Santa Buthead huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu.
