Santa's 'ho, ho, ho' runs into opposition as being offensive

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: November 19, 2007 - 11:41 AM

When it comes to letting out a spirited "ho, ho, ho," it seems that Santas in Australia are being told, "no, no, no."

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When it comes to letting out a spirited "ho, ho, ho," it seems that Santas in Australia are being told, "no, no, no."

The Daily Telegraph in Sydney reported that those portraying Santa Claus in the nation's largest city must not use the Jolly Old Elf's traditional laugh because it could be offensive to women.

Instead, the Santas are being told, they should say "ha, ha, ha," the newspaper reported.

One Santa told the newspaper that a recruiting firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could scare kids and was too similar to "ho," a shortened version of a slang term for a prostitute.

An Aussie spokesman for the Westaff recruitment firm told the Telegraph that it was misleading to say the company had banned the greeting and it was being left to each individual Santa to decide.

STAFF REPORT