Talking as Santa

Taking calls as Santa? For him, a good Claus

I don't remember whether I myself believed in Santa Claus or not as a child, but it (he?) is conprehensively believed among Japanese children too. And he is very popular.
This article, posted by LA Times, reports one gentleman in his 40s is volunteered to talk to children as St. Nicholas over the phone. Now he thinks pretending as Santa is more important than his work. 100 other volunteers are helping him as his stand-in.

Obviously this article is supposed to be a heart-warming story. I presume thie type of episode will be loved in Japan too. Parents are so keen to make their children keep the faith in Santa Claus and happy to do anything for that. But it seems to me just weird.

Is it only one of examples of American fun-loving nature? But it's not funny. I don't wanna be a cynic, but it's not. Santa Claus is fake. Children will know that one day. Where is the point to be desperate to extend the fantasy period as long as possible? We have much more to do for the next generation than just playing with fantasy.

Maybe it's not children. It is adults that need fantasy. They think they are helping children, but actually they are helping themselves.
Similar atmosphere prevails in Japan too. One day, a radish was found sticking out of the tarmeric road. People were touched by the radish's life power and adored it. The media reported about it everyday. The whole nation was appaled when it was broken by some evil person. It took an expert team at university to clone it. Dozens of cameras followed when the radish was taken to the laboratory by a city hall official. All was carried in a bizarre enthusiasm.

This case and the Santa topic look similar to me. Both are pathetic, immature and wimpish.

The good thing to know is, however, that we are not only one wimp in the world... We have a mate beyond the Pacific Ocean. :-(