Plan B Forum

Macy's has fired Santa Claus for a naughty joke that an adult couple didn’t think was very festive.

John Toomey, 68, a popular Kris Kringle in San Francisco for more than 20 years, got the sack at the start of the holiday season after the grown-up customers saw red.

Like a scene from the Xmas classic ‘Miracle of 34th Street', store bosses told white-bearded Mr Toomey that his services were no longer required because of the complaint.



Sacked Santa: John Toomey lost his job at Macy's in San Francisco after telling an off-colour joke

But there was no happy ending for the kids’ favourite, despite protests from customers who said the store Santa was just like the real thing.

Mr Toomey insists he has been telling the slightly off-colour joke for years without a problem.

‘When I ask the older people who sit on my lap if they have been good and they say, ‘Yes,’ I say, ‘Gee, that’s too bad,” he explained.

‘Then, if they ask why Santa is so jolly, I joke that it’s because I know where all the naughty boys and girls live,’ he added.

But the retired caretaker told the San Francisco Chronicle he has never made the crack when children sit on his lap.

‘Everything was going okay until this couple came in. I don’t know why they reported me. I don’t think I said anything untoward,’ he said.


‘With the children, it's important to listen carefully to them and make sure they're doing things properly, like brushing their teeth, helping mum around the house, things like that.

‘Then when they tell you what they want, repeat it loudly enough so the parents can hear, and tell the child you'll talk it over with Mrs. Santa and the elves. That way you leave it up to the parents.

‘It's an important job,’ he added, ‘and the joking around like I did is only for the adults.’

Macys at Union Square wouldn’t comment on the flap.

But staff said the veteran Santa was being sorely missed.

‘People make a pilgrimage to see him every year, some for as long as 15 years,’ one worker told the Chronicle. ‘Everybody loves him. Everybody’s just heartsick about this.’

‘He’s totally the best Santa ever, very jolly and authentic. I’ve been coming to see him for years. There’s just nobody better,’ said Sharon Owens, 56, of Oakland, who was disappointed to see another Santa in his place yesterday.

Mr Toomey is hoping to pull his suit back on and be hired for some private parties while he waits to see if Macys will have him back.

‘I’ve got my Social Security and some savings, so I’ll be okay, but I sure do miss being Santa,’ he said


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z17TCYPElX

‘Then, if they ask why Santa is so jolly, I joke that it’s because I know where all the naughty boys and girls live,’ he added.

Sean wrote:Funny how people can see different things Scoot...

‘Then, if they ask why Santa is so jolly, I joke that it’s because I know where all the naughty boys and girls live,’ he added.

Pedophilia didn't cross my mind when I read that.

I can see however, how people could read that into it.

Well is anyone else getting sick and tired of the "moral" minority getting so much leverage to put their boring humdrum "thou shalt not" perspectives into society today?

Adverts for "Sloggi" knickers were removed from billboards in the UK, as TWO people objected to them.

When are the immoral majority going to stand up and tell them to "fuck off", and will we be listened to?

Scooter wrote:Because I don't find joking about pedophilia funny, particularly when uttered by such an iconic character for children?

Gob wrote:Gentlemen, please...

Andrew D wrote:Because you read pedophilia into a joke that says nothing about it.

But there was no happy ending for the kids’ favourite, despite protests from customers who said the store Santa was just like the real thing.

Well, no, not really of significance. Just more of what those who have read your postings have come to expect.