Page 6 | Is using "Father Christmas" vs "Santa" a class signifier?

Blackkitty · 25/12/2021 11:22

Working class here and grew up in south west. Always Father Christmas.

LittleRoundRobin · 25/12/2021 11:23

@MarshmallowFondant

Think there is a definite air of London-centric posters sneering at the "provinces" and assuming everyone north of about Warwick is lower class.

This. This site is littered with goady threads like this, full of pathetic snobbery, from poorly educated, narrow-minded people 'down south' who assume everyone 'oop north' is a thick lower class chav.

If they took their head out of their arse for a second or two, they would see there are many interesting cities, towns, villages, and attractions outside bloody LONDON! Frankly, I wouldn't live there if you paid me. For sooooooooooo many reasons.

PleasantBirthday · 25/12/2021 11:23

Irish people say Santa or Santy. We also say haitch and have shoes on homes. You don't want to let your children near the likes of us.

HereticFanjo · 25/12/2021 11:29

[quote LittleRoundRobin]@MarshmallowFondant

Think there is a definite air of London-centric posters sneering at the "provinces" and assuming everyone north of about Warwick is lower class.

This. This site is littered with goady threads like this, full of pathetic snobbery, from poorly educated, narrow-minded people 'down south' who assume everyone 'oop north' is a thick lower class chav.

If they took their head out of their arse for a second or two, they would see there are many interesting cities, towns, villages, and attractions outside bloody LONDON! Frankly, I wouldn't live there if you paid me. For sooooooooooo many reasons.[/quote]
This.

Straussful · 25/12/2021 11:30

I'm in Ireland (small island to the west), everyone here says Santa (or Santy!) Does that fit your narrative?

Insertdeadcatsnamehere · 25/12/2021 11:32

@MarshmallowFondant

No. It's a regional thing. Nobody in Scotland, Ireland or NE England would say Father Christmas.

We have this thread every year and it just shows up the ignorance of some posters about the country they live in.

WC NE Father Christmas!

mumofEandE · 25/12/2021 11:41

Father Christmas growing up but since having DS in Ireland it's 'Santy'

PleasantBirthday · 25/12/2021 11:44

@Straussful

I'm in Ireland (small island to the west), everyone here says Santa (or Santy!) Does that fit your narrative?

Probably proves it.

steff13 · 25/12/2021 11:45

@Flapjacker48

Upper/upper middle - use "Father Christmas"

Working/lower middle - "Santa"

The "Santa" we use in the UK today is almost an original European export to American and has come back as a tackier and vulgar Santa.

Our Santa isn't tacky or vulgar!

ancientgran · 25/12/2021 11:47

@Straussful

I'm in Ireland (small island to the west), everyone here says Santa (or Santy!) Does that fit your narrative?

My mother was Irish, she always said Daddy Christmas. Adds a bit of variety, I wonder what is says about her class?

Bluesarestillblue · 25/12/2021 11:49

Scottish People say Santa generally (Ive lived in Scotland 40 years and have a mix of friends)

Only people I know who call him Father Christmas are from England.

LuckyAmy1986 · 25/12/2021 12:00

@Flapjacker48 why on earth do you care?

dittheringdoldrums · 25/12/2021 12:10

I grew up in a very WC family in the north west, and it was definitely Father Christmas when I was growing up. I think I thought Santa was quite posh! Now I interchange between the two (now I'm a middle class Londoner )

ginghamstarfish · 25/12/2021 12:15

Grew up in NW England, working class family and was always FC. Still prefer it.

angieloumc · 25/12/2021 12:16

I'm in Yorkshire and say FC. My DC used Santa Claus growing up and DGC say just Santa. Sign of the times maybe.

Minorissue · 25/12/2021 12:23

@steff13 should we tell her that a flapjack is actually a fluffy vulgar American pancake?

CliffsofMohair · 25/12/2021 13:06

@PleasantBirthday

Irish people say Santa or Santy. We also say haitch and have shoes on homes. You don't want to let your children near the likes of us.

You forgot cash in cards for weddings. Loads of it 😂

Ibane · 25/12/2021 13:15

It’s a literal translation from the Irish Daidí na Nollaig, @ancientgran.

AlfonsoTheGoat · 25/12/2021 13:15

No.

jetadore · 25/12/2021 13:18

Is using "Father Christmas" vs "Santa" a class signifier?

Only on mumsnet.

Aquafizzle · 25/12/2021 13:20

[quote Flapjacker48]@Chemenger So things that YOU have experienced is the same for everyone? Right.[/quote]
You're in a miserable mood on Christmas day aren't you. No joy in your house today?

CAN1M · 25/12/2021 13:27

Always thought Santa was posh - W.C. and grew up saying Father Christmas but thinking about it I think Santa isn't posh but an Americanism. Thinking of Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas books, from the 80s. And that quite old (and dreadful) American song "Santa Baby" as examples! I expect upper class / the Queen etc still say Father Christmas and it's U and saying Santa is non-U. Lol. I LOVE working out the intricacies of the British Class system.

RosesAndHellebores · 25/12/2021 13:28

Fa Chimmas here. DH said it when he was about 18 months; it is now the legal name. 🎄

DirectionToPerfection · 25/12/2021 13:33

Santa is not an Americanism. It originated in Europe.

Father Christmas, however, is only used in England (and maybe Wales?).

The obsession with class on here is so bizarre.

orderagain · 25/12/2021 13:38

This is a cultural/regional thing rather than a class thing. This debate takes place in MN every year!