World
American newspaper celebrates Festivus by publishing reader's complaints
Truly a Festivus for the rest of us
December 16, 2021 13:31
Truly a Festivus for the rest of us
December 16, 2021 13:31An American newspaper is taking the sacred traditions of Seinfeld holiday Festivus extremely seriously this year by publishing all the complaints of its most loyal readers.
The Tampa Bay Times has put out a call for all readers of the paper, near and far, to contribute their festive gripes to be published in the December 23rd edition of the paper.
In the piece asking for submissions, the paper asks: "What did strangers, family members, businesses, sports teams, your boss, your pets, your dentist, your local supermarket — anyone or anything — do to aggravate you in 2021? Tell us your top complaints via this form from anywhere in the world, and we’ll publish them (for everyone to deal with!) in our sixth annual Festivus airing of grievances."
Previous top complaints from years past have been published in the paper every year. Last year's featured complaints about lazy husbands, the scratchiness of paper towels, and even co-workers not clearing their leftover seconds on the microwave.
Festivus originated from a 1997 episode of the hit sitcom Seinfeld where Frank Constanza, the father of main character George, created a new anti-materialistic holiday named 'Festivus' with a series of rituals and a ceremonial pole.
The 'Airing of Grievances' is a key part of the holiday tradition, according to Festivusweb.com, the official online home of Festivus.
The website states: "The usual holiday tradition of a tree is manifested in an unadorned aluminum pole, which is in direct contrast to normal holiday materialism. Those attending Festivus may also participate in the "Airing of Grievances" which is an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you in the past year, followed by a Festivus dinner, and then completed by the "Feats of Strength" where the head of the household must be pinned."
Readers have until Dec 23rd to submit their complaints and greivances to the Tampa Bay Times.