Post by Mr.Christmas on Oct 4, 2004 19:38:59 GMT -5
Q: My brother once told me that Santa would come and take me away to live with a family of monkeys in the jungle.
A: (laughs) Well, your brother just might be one of the reasons there is so much poor information about me out there. No, I'd never do that - although the thought of some kids living in trees with monkeys is a very funny idea. It might not be fair to the monkeys though.
Q: Santa, you're an unusual man. Many kids don't believe in you because you are almost too good to be true. Most kids today are taught not to take candy from strangers and to stay away from people they don't know. You come inside people's homes and leave presents in the middle of the night. These kids don't really know who you are. How do you expect kids to believe you are real?
A: Well, I come and leave plenty of evidence. But I think your point is a good one. It is important for you to remember, Archie, that I am actually different things to different people. What you describe is really the American Santa and there's nothing wrong with that. But in places like Italy, Germany and Africa I'm thought of a little differently.
Q: Are you saying there are more Santa believers in those countries than in the United States?
A: No. I'm saying that how I am perceived depends upon the culture. In fact, I will admit to you that I do different things in different countries. I bring kids different stuff, my habits are just a little unique from place to place. I do these things because that is what people expect of me. As long as it is a good service, if it teaches love, if it helps people come together and treat each other well I will do whatever the world requires.
Q: So you don't expect kids in the United States to believe in you?
A: Well, of course, I do. I believe in them so they should believe in me. But unlike other strangers or adults they don't know they do know me. I don't have the ability to stop and visit all the time with all kids. Most kids understand that. But they can get to know me by talking to their parents and other people they know who believe in me. They all have stories of meeting Santa or having an experience with me. This is how kids get to know me.
Q: When a kid sees you in a mall, sometimes they get scared. Does that make you feel bad?
A: A little. But that kind of reaction is normal. Kids usually see a picture of me in a book somewhere and when they see me in person it gets a little weird. I accept that. I'm a big guy and sometimes a big man with lots of hair on his face can be scary to a kid. The little ones don't mean to cry, they just don't know what else to do. I try to talk to them calmly and check with Moms and Dads about how to help.
Q: What about the reindeer? How come kids can't see reindeer when they come to visit you in the mall?
A: Well, reindeer are very special animals. I love them. But, like kids, they have some things about them that require control. Most reindeer do not like crowds. In a crowd they can actually get very nervous. That's the main reason I don't bring them there.
Q: The world doesn't know of any reindeer that can fly except for your reindeer. How come reindeer only fly for Santa?
A: Back in the old days, when I first started doing all this, reindeer were the only way to get around. Now there are planes and helicopters and other means of transportation. But I've stuck with reindeer because I like them and they like doing this. I don't know why they fly for me, to be honest. I didn't know they could fly either. I set out one Christmas Eve thinking I'd be gone for a couple of years, delivering presents to good kids all over the world. When I told them what I was doing and why, they kind of winked to each other and took flight. I don't know how they do it. But they do it every Christmas. It is their gift to me and to kids everywhere.
Q: But can't you see that using flying reindeer is a reason that some kids don't believe in you?
A: Kids just want to know the truth. If they see something that doesn't make sense to them, they don't believe it. Ask a kid in a faraway place without modern technology about telephones and he will tell you there is no such thing. But put a telephone in his country and he becomes an instant believer. It is the same with me. Every once in a while you'll meet a kid who has met me or seen me in the sky on Christmas eve, flying with my reindeer. Then they believe.
Q: Why don't more kids get to see you on Christmas?
A: Because I come when folks are sleeping.
Q: Why don't you come during the daytime? Wouldn't it be safer?
A: Oh, heavens no. Crowds are so big during the holidays. And if I came during the day there would be no surprises. And there's no way I could get around to everyone even with flying reindeer. It is much better for kids to go to sleep and let me do my job.
CONTINUED IN PART III
A: (laughs) Well, your brother just might be one of the reasons there is so much poor information about me out there. No, I'd never do that - although the thought of some kids living in trees with monkeys is a very funny idea. It might not be fair to the monkeys though.
Q: Santa, you're an unusual man. Many kids don't believe in you because you are almost too good to be true. Most kids today are taught not to take candy from strangers and to stay away from people they don't know. You come inside people's homes and leave presents in the middle of the night. These kids don't really know who you are. How do you expect kids to believe you are real?
A: Well, I come and leave plenty of evidence. But I think your point is a good one. It is important for you to remember, Archie, that I am actually different things to different people. What you describe is really the American Santa and there's nothing wrong with that. But in places like Italy, Germany and Africa I'm thought of a little differently.
Q: Are you saying there are more Santa believers in those countries than in the United States?
A: No. I'm saying that how I am perceived depends upon the culture. In fact, I will admit to you that I do different things in different countries. I bring kids different stuff, my habits are just a little unique from place to place. I do these things because that is what people expect of me. As long as it is a good service, if it teaches love, if it helps people come together and treat each other well I will do whatever the world requires.
Q: So you don't expect kids in the United States to believe in you?
A: Well, of course, I do. I believe in them so they should believe in me. But unlike other strangers or adults they don't know they do know me. I don't have the ability to stop and visit all the time with all kids. Most kids understand that. But they can get to know me by talking to their parents and other people they know who believe in me. They all have stories of meeting Santa or having an experience with me. This is how kids get to know me.
Q: When a kid sees you in a mall, sometimes they get scared. Does that make you feel bad?
A: A little. But that kind of reaction is normal. Kids usually see a picture of me in a book somewhere and when they see me in person it gets a little weird. I accept that. I'm a big guy and sometimes a big man with lots of hair on his face can be scary to a kid. The little ones don't mean to cry, they just don't know what else to do. I try to talk to them calmly and check with Moms and Dads about how to help.
Q: What about the reindeer? How come kids can't see reindeer when they come to visit you in the mall?
A: Well, reindeer are very special animals. I love them. But, like kids, they have some things about them that require control. Most reindeer do not like crowds. In a crowd they can actually get very nervous. That's the main reason I don't bring them there.
Q: The world doesn't know of any reindeer that can fly except for your reindeer. How come reindeer only fly for Santa?
A: Back in the old days, when I first started doing all this, reindeer were the only way to get around. Now there are planes and helicopters and other means of transportation. But I've stuck with reindeer because I like them and they like doing this. I don't know why they fly for me, to be honest. I didn't know they could fly either. I set out one Christmas Eve thinking I'd be gone for a couple of years, delivering presents to good kids all over the world. When I told them what I was doing and why, they kind of winked to each other and took flight. I don't know how they do it. But they do it every Christmas. It is their gift to me and to kids everywhere.
Q: But can't you see that using flying reindeer is a reason that some kids don't believe in you?
A: Kids just want to know the truth. If they see something that doesn't make sense to them, they don't believe it. Ask a kid in a faraway place without modern technology about telephones and he will tell you there is no such thing. But put a telephone in his country and he becomes an instant believer. It is the same with me. Every once in a while you'll meet a kid who has met me or seen me in the sky on Christmas eve, flying with my reindeer. Then they believe.
Q: Why don't more kids get to see you on Christmas?
A: Because I come when folks are sleeping.
Q: Why don't you come during the daytime? Wouldn't it be safer?
A: Oh, heavens no. Crowds are so big during the holidays. And if I came during the day there would be no surprises. And there's no way I could get around to everyone even with flying reindeer. It is much better for kids to go to sleep and let me do my job.
CONTINUED IN PART III
