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for the first time, but I don't feel good about it at all. This is kind of an oops/SC confession-type thing.
I was at service counter helping an older couple looking at the toy catalog and joking with them about kids. There was an unhappy-looking woman at the other end being helped by T, who was on the phone to corp. or someone. I told my customers about how my brother used to write down the toy, page #, price, etc. for my dad because he knew it by that time there was no Santa and we laughed about how he's smart and bratty.
I got done with them and then was on my way through the door to go to the photo dept to help someone else I'd been helping before when a woman appeared in the doorway. That freaked me out; I thought she was trying to come in or something. Turns out she was the end-of-counter lady and trying to be quiet and leaned in to tell me "My daughter was standing there [I never saw the kid] and heard you say there's no Santa. You just ruined the whole year." I apologized immediately because I felt bad about it and then couldn't do anything else because of the line that had formed. So I had to deal with all those people feeling like that.
And then I got a chance to think about it and here's just some stuff I need to say:
--I ruined her whole year? I don't think I'm that powerful.
--A quote from my mom that sums up part of it: If parents are going to perpetuate a lie then they need to learn how to deal with the truth when it arises. That sounds harsh and I do sympathize with the child--it is painful to learn Santa isn't real--but one can't expect the whole world to corroborate your myth. As my supervisor said, "If she's in school, she's going to hear it there." People hold all kinds of beliefs that can be refuted by others. You have to expect that with so many people on earth.
--She could very well have chosen to address that with the kid privately, saying any number of things to smooth it over, such as "Maybe someone told the lady that Santa's not coming and she believed it. Let's hope Santa brings her a present and she believes again, ok?"
Did she have to make me feel bad for something totally unintentional? Do I have to go around all month looking for kids before I say anything?
So I'm left feeling guilty and angry that I feel guilty.
I was at service counter helping an older couple looking at the toy catalog and joking with them about kids. There was an unhappy-looking woman at the other end being helped by T, who was on the phone to corp. or someone. I told my customers about how my brother used to write down the toy, page #, price, etc. for my dad because he knew it by that time there was no Santa and we laughed about how he's smart and bratty.
I got done with them and then was on my way through the door to go to the photo dept to help someone else I'd been helping before when a woman appeared in the doorway. That freaked me out; I thought she was trying to come in or something. Turns out she was the end-of-counter lady and trying to be quiet and leaned in to tell me "My daughter was standing there [I never saw the kid] and heard you say there's no Santa. You just ruined the whole year." I apologized immediately because I felt bad about it and then couldn't do anything else because of the line that had formed. So I had to deal with all those people feeling like that.
And then I got a chance to think about it and here's just some stuff I need to say:
--I ruined her whole year? I don't think I'm that powerful.
--A quote from my mom that sums up part of it: If parents are going to perpetuate a lie then they need to learn how to deal with the truth when it arises. That sounds harsh and I do sympathize with the child--it is painful to learn Santa isn't real--but one can't expect the whole world to corroborate your myth. As my supervisor said, "If she's in school, she's going to hear it there." People hold all kinds of beliefs that can be refuted by others. You have to expect that with so many people on earth.
--She could very well have chosen to address that with the kid privately, saying any number of things to smooth it over, such as "Maybe someone told the lady that Santa's not coming and she believed it. Let's hope Santa brings her a present and she believes again, ok?"
Did she have to make me feel bad for something totally unintentional? Do I have to go around all month looking for kids before I say anything?
So I'm left feeling guilty and angry that I feel guilty.
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