Hello TFR! Here is a quick little story from the workplace of our favorite holiday legend.

So I work in a mall taking photos of children and the man in red. At this location, there is a policy that prohibits the use of cameras, cell phones, etc, to take photos and videos of Big Red. There are signs around the set, and a big honkin' sign right at the front of the line that all customers have to stare at while they wait to see the big man. This policy is in place beacuse, you know, it's a business. If you take your own photos, you won't buy the ones we took and we won't make money.

It's my job to help out on set. I take the photos and help Big Red as needed. And sometimes I have to enforce our "no photography" policy.

So it's a Sunday, which means that we are SUPER busy. Some customers have been waiting in line almost two hours just to get their pictures taken and visit Big Red. Finally, the line starts to let up a bit, and the big man and I can relax a little.

Now when you come visit Big Red, you can come in and get your picture taken and then visit with the big guy, or you can just come in and visit.

This particular customer came in with her little girl and just wanted to visit.

OK. So I lead them over to the big man and get the young girl settled on his lap to visit. Typically, I step back and head over to greet the next guest in line while the big man is visiting. As I did this, I glance over and notice that the girl's mom has her phone out and is trying to take a picture.

Now, I don't typically enjoy telling people they can't take photos (It's awkward) but I have to or my boss will get mad, so I step in front of her and let her know about the policy. From this point, she'll be known as Bitchy Lady or BL, and I'll be ME.

Me: I'm sorry Ma'am, but you aren't allowed to take photos while on set. BL: Yeah, well I don't care. ME: I'm sorry, but it's mall policy and-- BL: I don't care! Me: Ma'am-- BL: I don't care! I came here to get a picture and I'm going to take picture if I want! ME: Ma'am, the policy is posted all around. It's mall policy and I can't let you take pictures.

She angrily puts the phone lower and tries to take another picture.

BL: You are ruining her (indicating the little girl) experience! Look! She's waiting to get a picture!

At this point, the lady is practically yelling at me and won't let me finish any of my sentences without talking over me. I remain calm and try to explain again that there's nothing I can do.

Then, to my chagrin I notice a man on the outside corner of the set TAKING PICTURES while the whole ordeal is going on. When I see him, he makes eye contact with me, finishes his last picture and gives me a smug smile before my attention is again taken by BL, who is continuing her tirade.

Big Red has ceased speaking to the little girl, and is watching the situation. (He's great. He's in his 60s, but quite tall and spry for his age. I'm sure if this woman had gotten physical with me, he'd have been right there to step in.) I am very close to calling security at this point, since she's been basically screaming at me for a good couple minutes, but she finally decides that enough is enough. I guess she figured her smug ass of a husband had gotten a good enough picture. (Most likely not. Big Red knows the rules too)

BL storms off with the girl towards the cashier's area, mumbling about how I'm a horible person for ruining her kid's visit. But before she leaves, she stops next to a bewildered mom and screams across the set "I hope you like your job!" (Ruining kids visits apparently) She then talks trash about me to the poor mother, who can't escape. The mother just looks baffled, having watched the whole thing. Finally BL leaves, ranting the whole way.

All I can do is take a deep breath, walk back over to the camera, and get ready for the next customer.

It's a business. Please don't break the rules and then scream at me for politely trying to make sure you don't get kicked out of the mall. I really don't want that to happen.

TL;DR Bitchy lady ruins her kid's visit with The Big Man because she wants to break the rules. Blames me then tries to get innocent customers to agree with her. I nearly call security because she becomes so irate.