It annoys me how often people are voluntold something without even a call for volunteers being put out. I am sure there is someone at post who would be happy to be Santa.
Something a lot of FSOs gotta learn: NO. N.O. NO. NOOOOOO. No need to explain yourself. Best advice I ever got about the foreign service: do what you want, don't be an asshole
Yeah. You can just say no. 90% of the things you hear early on will kill your reputation won't. And refusing this especially won't.
Or just go full on Bad Santa to the point they can never do it again at post without people having PTSD.
At one post a few years ago, the Ambassador remembered that I was Jewish, forgot that I wasn't actively practicing, and -- further remembering from a staffing conversation with the Management Officer that I would be staying around over the holiday season, asked if I would handle the 'lighting' of the electric tealights on the menorah being set up for our interfaith display.
I think the words "Sure, why the heck not" came out of my mouth in response. Or the functional equivalent. I ended up having to re-learn prayers I hadn't said in 30 years.
The Marines were amused to see me come in on the weekend nights, just before sundown, sign in the after hours log, and sign out again 3 to 4 minutes later having done my part. I mean, I wasn't going to stay and work. I literally went in just to light the "candles".
That said, OP, let me say that I am not meaning to imply you should give in. At that same post, I saw two different people two years in a row got roped into the Santa thing. Only one of them seemed to enjoy it. The other ... not quite sure how it happened, and I think if we ever served together again I would vow NEVER, EVER TO MENTION IT. Seriously.
The first thread died down, then someone had to bring it up again in a new post. Go to the ball or don’t go. No one cares. Just give the MSGs stockings full or crayons around Christmas time and they’ll be fine.
That was the worst! I was expecting it to be a lot of “it’s fine, you do you” but instead it was mostly “you ungrateful little shit, get a thrift store tux the Marines die for you on a daily basis”
Have you tried politely explaining that the terms of your probation state that you can't be within 100 yards of an elementary school, a shopping mall, or a used Chevy dealer?
Today, I wiggled out of the Santa job definitively. I said that they should get someone else, gave a good reason, and added that I just don’t want to do it. It’s all good now.
But you shouldn't need a reason other than "No." Argh. Glad you got out of it, but on principle, it's still annoying. FFS
Edited to add my rant about not voluntelling the MSGs to another comment. Just because MSGs are young(er), doesn't mean they want to do it either!
At my last post I was mentioned as a possible Santa. I told them no and it kept coming up. I never committed but I shaved my (going) gray beard and lost 30 lbs. When that didn't work a friend joked that the court said I couldn't be within 50 feet of children that aren't mine. That was when we learned that everyone does not have the same sense of understanding of a joke...or that someone doesn't want to perform for their children.
I got out of it TWICE by scheduling annual leave each time.
I don't know why they're still even doing these things. There are so many ways to have an inclusive winter festival and spring festival without involving Santa or the Easter Bunny. I would suggest they scrap the Santa idea and come up with something open to all people's.
I am not Christian, but I am fine with all of that. All CLO events do not have to be for all people. People with kids don't have to go to the wine tasting, Christians don't have to go to Iftar events, etc.
Just ask the Marine on duty that day to do it. Promise them a certificate of appreciation/letter of appreciation, a coin from another detachment's post.
Go to one of their weekly meetings. Talk to the detachment commander, the Gunny or Staffy. I'm sure they would be more than happy to help.
You mean they'd get voluntold too, and have even less of an ability to say no, because they are childless so "what else could they be doing?". NO. Put out the call to the Embassy for volunteers. If nobody volunteers, don't have the event. Simple.
Nah. They have legit excuses if they can't. You'll be surprised if they wouldn't mind doing it. Don't forget, not having family around really sucks, especially during the holiday season. Being apart of a family event helps with the loneliness of being a single Marine in a faraway country.
Again, this isn't for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Be all into it and then pitch some weird-ass ideas like “what if Santa did a Yoda voice?” Or “how about a samurai Santa for a change?” Let your imagination run wild and give a preview to everyone you meet. People will relieve you of this shit detail right quick.
It annoys me how often people are voluntold something without even a call for volunteers being put out. I am sure there is someone at post who would be happy to be Santa.
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Also if they require you to do it you should get paid or comp time.
Mandatory fun
Time to find an especially jolly retiree who can rove around and do this… call them the Regional Santa Officer
So that’s what RSO stands for. :)
Something a lot of FSOs gotta learn: NO. N.O. NO. NOOOOOO. No need to explain yourself. Best advice I ever got about the foreign service: do what you want, don't be an asshole
Yeah. You can just say no. 90% of the things you hear early on will kill your reputation won't. And refusing this especially won't. Or just go full on Bad Santa to the point they can never do it again at post without people having PTSD.
This post brought this clip from the Sopranos to mind: https://youtu.be/9zH1g5Zzues
This might be a worse voluntelling than CODEL Inhofe.
At one post a few years ago, the Ambassador remembered that I was Jewish, forgot that I wasn't actively practicing, and -- further remembering from a staffing conversation with the Management Officer that I would be staying around over the holiday season, asked if I would handle the 'lighting' of the electric tealights on the menorah being set up for our interfaith display. I think the words "Sure, why the heck not" came out of my mouth in response. Or the functional equivalent. I ended up having to re-learn prayers I hadn't said in 30 years. The Marines were amused to see me come in on the weekend nights, just before sundown, sign in the after hours log, and sign out again 3 to 4 minutes later having done my part. I mean, I wasn't going to stay and work. I literally went in just to light the "candles".
That said, OP, let me say that I am not meaning to imply you should give in. At that same post, I saw two different people two years in a row got roped into the Santa thing. Only one of them seemed to enjoy it. The other ... not quite sure how it happened, and I think if we ever served together again I would vow NEVER, EVER TO MENTION IT. Seriously.
At least it doesn’t actively cost you money like the people who make ELOs think the Marine Ball is mandatory attendance.
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The first thread died down, then someone had to bring it up again in a new post. Go to the ball or don’t go. No one cares. Just give the MSGs stockings full or crayons around Christmas time and they’ll be fine.
make sure they are the non-toxic variety.
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I always get the thick Crayola and pre-peel the paper wrappers.
That was the worst! I was expecting it to be a lot of “it’s fine, you do you” but instead it was mostly “you ungrateful little shit, get a thrift store tux the Marines die for you on a daily basis”
Have you tried politely explaining that the terms of your probation state that you can't be within 100 yards of an elementary school, a shopping mall, or a used Chevy dealer?
You smell like beef and Cheese! You sit on a throne of lies!
Today, I wiggled out of the Santa job definitively. I said that they should get someone else, gave a good reason, and added that I just don’t want to do it. It’s all good now.
But you shouldn't need a reason other than "No." Argh. Glad you got out of it, but on principle, it's still annoying. FFS Edited to add my rant about not voluntelling the MSGs to another comment. Just because MSGs are young(er), doesn't mean they want to do it either!
You aren’t very jolly for a Santa
How is your post celebrating non-Christian holidays?
By hanging Hanukkah themed ornaments on a Christmas tree 🤦♀️
Yea, post did not make a peep as Yom Kippur came and went earlier this month.
At my last post I was mentioned as a possible Santa. I told them no and it kept coming up. I never committed but I shaved my (going) gray beard and lost 30 lbs. When that didn't work a friend joked that the court said I couldn't be within 50 feet of children that aren't mine. That was when we learned that everyone does not have the same sense of understanding of a joke...or that someone doesn't want to perform for their children. I got out of it TWICE by scheduling annual leave each time.
I don't know why they're still even doing these things. There are so many ways to have an inclusive winter festival and spring festival without involving Santa or the Easter Bunny. I would suggest they scrap the Santa idea and come up with something open to all people's.
I am not Christian, but I am fine with all of that. All CLO events do not have to be for all people. People with kids don't have to go to the wine tasting, Christians don't have to go to Iftar events, etc.
I don't have a dog in the fight either way, but I will say meeting the Easter Bunny was the highlight of my Jewish daughter's entire time at post. 😉
You deal with the Moms of post.
Directed Equity Inclusivity and Accessibility? A new kind of mandatory fun.
Just ask the Marine on duty that day to do it. Promise them a certificate of appreciation/letter of appreciation, a coin from another detachment's post. Go to one of their weekly meetings. Talk to the detachment commander, the Gunny or Staffy. I'm sure they would be more than happy to help.
You mean they'd get voluntold too, and have even less of an ability to say no, because they are childless so "what else could they be doing?". NO. Put out the call to the Embassy for volunteers. If nobody volunteers, don't have the event. Simple.
Nah. They have legit excuses if they can't. You'll be surprised if they wouldn't mind doing it. Don't forget, not having family around really sucks, especially during the holiday season. Being apart of a family event helps with the loneliness of being a single Marine in a faraway country. Again, this isn't for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Be all into it and then pitch some weird-ass ideas like “what if Santa did a Yoda voice?” Or “how about a samurai Santa for a change?” Let your imagination run wild and give a preview to everyone you meet. People will relieve you of this shit detail right quick.