Santa is the hardest role to play (From Gazette)
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Santa is the hardest role to play
1:40pm Wednesday 19th December 2012 in News
BEING Santa is more than putting on a suit and a beard - with some performers saying it’s the biggest part they have ever done.
Pushy parents, angry youths and allegations of sexual misconduct are all in a day’s work for those playing the ultimate role.
The findings are in research by Professor Philip Hancock from Essex University’s Business School, who interviewed the elite of the Santa world who represent the man himself at department stores, shopping centres and corporate parties.
- His British Academy-supported research paper Being Santa Claus: The Pursuit of Recognition in Interactive Service Work will be published shortly by the Work Employment and Society journal.
sandgronun64 says...
3:08pm Wed 19 Dec 12
I have 'stood in' for Santa a few times at various events and I promise you, it is a real eye-opener; especially when it comes to the behaviour of some parents.
Lets not forget it is tremendous fun as well though.
Well done and a very merry Christmas to all of Father Christmas' stunt doubles.