Selfridge's Santa "sacked" for asking elderly woman to sit on his lap

[mc_squared]

Selfridge's Santa sacked for asking elderly woman to sit on his lap

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:02 AM on 27th November 2008

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Every Santa Claus working at Selfridges is given orders that no one is to sit on their lap

A department store Santa has been sacked after he asked an elderly woman to sit on his lap.
Andrew Mondia was just three days into his role as Father Christmas in the Grotto at Selfridges when he was fired after the grandmother complained that he had offended her.
Canadian-born actor Mr Mondia, 32, said that hadn’t been his intention and he treated all visitors the same.
He said: 'I can understand how that may have been seen as disrespectful but Christmas is for everyone.
'I’ve had all ages sit on my lap, from elderly ladies, younger women in their twenties and thirties and even some men, so I ask everyone. If they say no, then I don’t pursue it.'
He added: 'I was just being my innocent usual self. I was shocked when they told me. I couldn't believe I've been sacked for being too friendly.'
The woman complained to Mr Mondia’s supervisors on Monday after she visited the Oxford Street store with her family.
A spokeswoman for Selfridges said all Santas in the team were told during their induction that no one should sit on their lap and Mr Mondia 'didn’t behave in line with his training'.

The company said it is made clear to potential Santas during their training that no one should sit on Santa's lap and Santas must certainly not 'promote or proactively seek' anyone to do so.
Mondia had also been warned by his helper elf several times that he should not ask clients to sit on his knee, they said. The 32-year-old - who said his elf had given him no cause to worry about his behaviour - was finally approached by a supervisor at the end of the day and told that his services would no longer be needed.
A spokesman for Selfridges said: 'It's vital that everyone bringing children to see Santa can be absolutely confident that the visit will be a happy one. Unfortunately, this particular Santa didn't behave in line with his training or the standards we've set so we acted swiftly and asked him to leave.'
Mondia insisted that during his one-day training, which was 'a bit rushed', potential Santas were warned that if children wanted to sit on their knees they must be placed there by their parents, but at no point were told that the action was forbidden. 'I was just being my innocent usual self. I was shocked when they told me – I couldn't believe I've been sacked for being too friendly,' he said.
Mondia - who at other points in his career has posed as a box of Nesquik and a Blackberry pearl mobile phone - was set to work six days a week, at £9.75 an hour over the festive period, which would have earned him around £2,500, he said.
He said: 'I'm not sure what I'll do now. I'm looking for other jobs but it's going to ruin my Christmas because I'm not going to have any money and I wanted to carry on having fun as Santa Claus. It's disappointing, but I've learnt that, even as Santa Claus, you can't please everyone all the time.'

[Cobalt]

Ridikurus.

[mc_squared]

I wouldn't be surprised if this had something to do with "elf" and safety regulations........................

[tifosi]

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Originally Posted by mc_squared;2655434
I wouldn't be surprised if this had something to do with "elf" and safety regulations........................

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I'm sure Ian found that funny!

And, bahHumbug! Coming up to my favourite excuse for being grumpy!

S

[mc_squared]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tifosi;2655817
I'm sure Ian found that funny!

And, bahHumbug! Coming up to my favourite excuse for being grumpy!

S

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Grumpy's a dwarf, not an elf!!

[Glossal Fragster]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mc_squared;2655820
Grumpy's a dwarf, not an elf!!

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Comedy gold is back!

[mc_squared]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coldplay92;2655835
Comedy gold is back!

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It was never gone - just under attack from the doom crew.......................
It happens from time to time, unfortunately.
I expect another assault any time now, but I'm more than ready for it.

[Glossal Fragster]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mc_squared;2655843
It was never gone - just under attack from the doom crew.......................
It happens from time to time, unfortunately.

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mark don't start that again!

don't say anything about the "doom crew" as you call them

just move on

forget all about that jibba jabba

[mc_squared]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coldplay92;2655853
mark don't start that again!

don't say anything about the "doom crew" as you call them

just move on

forget all about that jibba jabba

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I shall keep mentioning them as long as they still exist.
It isn't breaking any rules.
No names, no pack-drill...............................

Ho ho ho!! Have I got a surprise for you..........................

[Glossal Fragster]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mc_squared;2655858
I shall keep mentioning them as long as they still exist.
It isn't breaking any rules.
No names, no pack-drill...............................

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awwk come on
even i think you're wrong here...the people you are obviously referring to are great people
(god this better not start again )

lets just move on and continue our comedy gold!

..and whats the surprise?

[mc_squared]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coldplay92;2655860
awwk come on
even i think you're wrong here...the people you are obviously referring to are great people

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You haven't been around long enough to know the half of it. Anyway, it isn't your problem.

[Glossal Fragster]

oi! the way you've quoted that makes it look like im being sarcastic about them being great people because you've put "" there...you swinee!!!!!!!

[mc_squared]

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Originally Posted by Coldplay92;2655864
oi! the way you've quoted that makes it look like im being sarcastic about them being great people because you've put "" there...you swinee!!!!!!!

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I didn't do anything. You must have edited your post afterwards.
Anyway, I think i got away with it, because I didn't mention the freaks!!

(now I sound like Basil Fawlty)!!

[Glossal Fragster]

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Originally Posted by mc_squared;2655869
I didn't do anything. You must have edited your post afterwards.

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and why would i do that?

you must have just deleted ceratin part of my post leavign the rolleyes that i had at the end

you see im not just a pretty face

[mc_squared]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coldplay92;2655872
and why would i do that?

you must have just deleted ceratin part of my post leavign the rolleyes that i had at the end

you see im not just a pretty face

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Well if I did anything, it was purely unintentional, and I reckon you're safe anyway!!