Stupid Publicity Stunt Of The Day
A shopping mall in Britain has managed to set up a publicity stunt by claiming to be cracking down on fat, jolly old elves for Christmas.
Santa is being told to shift the pounds before Christmas - because the obese saint is failing to set a "good example" for children.
The traditional children's hero, best known for feasting on mince pies left out on Christmas eve, has always sported a bulging midriff.
But shopping centre bosses are giving the well-wisher his marching orders - to the nearest gym - to tackle the increasing problem of obesity.
The revelation comes after a medical report earlier this month stated that by 2050 more than 50 per cent of Brits will be obese.
Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe, Kent, has even gone one step further and set-up a Santa boot camp.
Fiona Campbell-Reilly, spokeswoman at the shopping centre, said: "Santa has been around for years, but society has changed and our Santa needs to reflect this.
"Bluewater's Santa Boot Camp is getting Santa in shape and setting a good example to children who idolise him.
"He will still be the same lovable jolly man, but will be fitter and healthier."
Sounds nannyish enough to be plausible in the vast politically correct wasteland of Britain. But it's a stunt. They made a video which shows it is being done as a way of getting attention - and free advertising.
By Lars Walker, Monday, 5 November , 2007 @ 5:28 pm
I think it should be noted that St. Nicholas in England was traditionally seen as a rather austere, thin man. So this change is in fact profoundly conservative, even reactionary. I like that.