French Event Agencies Face Santa Role Shortage
Actors Say "Children Scream and Parents Are Rude"
With less than a month left until Christmas, it has been revealed that various places in France are struggling to recruit Santa Claus. On the 27th (local time), local media BFM TV reported, "Lorine Bartol, the head of an event planning company in the Rh?ne-Alpes region, recruited 23 Santas for shopping centers, local communities, and private companies this winter, but had to reject about 10 contracts due to a shortage of actors willing to take on the role." Bartol shared, "I was surprised when one person who had played Santa for years under contract with our agency said they wanted to quit."
This Santa, who is 60 years old this year, reportedly experienced several unpleasant incidents last year. While taking photos, a child urinated on him, and fights broke out among parents waiting to take pictures with him. Such incidents while working as Santa were said to be frequent. Bartol, the event planning company head, said, "I was surprised when one of the best Santas who had worked with us for years said they no longer wanted to be Santa," adding, "The children scream all day, the parents are rude, and it seems exhausting."
Fr?d?ric Manzoro, who has worked as Santa for the past six years, also spoke about the reality of the Santa job that shatters the Christmas fantasy. Manzoro said, "Many colleagues are refusing this job," and added, "It is an unrewarding job. You have to wear hot and itchy costumes and immerse yourself in the role." He continued, "You need to pay attention to your voice and specific gestures, and also be careful with your manner of speaking," noting that there are more things to be mindful of than in other roles.
He said that he had received 30 requests since the beginning of this month but had declined some of them, stating, "It may be a difficult situation for those who want to create magical moments for children, but I think three times a day is enough. Beyond that, I only have one body, so it can't be helped."
Another event planning company in the Alsace region is also reportedly struggling with recruitment difficulties. An employee there said, "We started looking for Santa applicants early, but there were none, so we are using every possible communication channel," and lamented, "We need a very specific profile, that is, someone who likes human contact, is serious, and has no criminal record, so it is not easy."
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