Some of my classes met for the last time this year, so I decided to do a Santa Quiz with some of them... it was a sad, sad experience. Japanese people have no idea about Santa. They all love Christmas, but don't quite grasp the whole culture behind it. Here are some sample questions and answers:
1. Who makes all the toys?
- his wife
- Toys R Us
- the Chinese
2. How many reindeer pull the sleigh?
- 1
- 4
- 6
3. What is special about Rudolph?
- he flies
4. What are three things that families put on a table for Santa?
- socks
- orange juice
- chicken
5. Where does Santa park his sleigh?
- on the street
- in a parking lot
6. What does Santa say when he laughs?
- buwahahaha
7. What does Santa give to bad boys and girls?
- nothing
- a text book
- a bible
8. Where does he live?
- Finland
- Turkey
- Sweden

Ok, now I was shocked at the answers to number 8, because well, he lives at the North Pole and Canada lays claim to it (it is equidistant from Canada and Denmark (Iceland) though). Well turns out Santa's gone all scientific. Since there is no land at the North Pole, he can't live there. So apparently his permanent home is in Korvatunturi Finland. There's lots of reindeer food there. Turkey also was cause for a snicker; however, turns out Santa originated there. Sweden is probably confusion over Nordic countries. I still say he lives at the North Pole, Canada though!
Even Hiroshi didn't know the answers to most of the questions. I think I need to immerse him a bit more in western culture!