Lauren Malhoit
May Your DDI be Merry & Bright
Great Customer Service and Experience from Men&Mice – Guaranteed
Dec 16th, 2021
During the holidays and the Western New Year, many of us take this time to reflect on the past year and maybe even make grand plans for the upcoming year. Personally, I’ve decided to make learning a priority for 2022. I think learning leads to knowledge, empathy, and patience. Three things of which I can always use more!
In that spirit, I decided to get started now and learn a bit more about how my Icelandic coworkers celebrate the holidays and why they’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever come to know. As part of the American Men&Mice contingent, I’m very familiar with that version of Santa Claus, led by Rudolph, that comes December 24th down a chimney to drop off presents. But did you know that in Iceland there are THIRTEEN Icelandic Santas!?
These Yule Lads live in the mountains with their terrifying mother, Gryla, and her good-for-nothing third husband, Leppaludi. And, of course, they have a beastly Yule Cat. Now, I’ve been to Iceland and I’ve seen there’s food in those mountains. However, Gryla prefers to eat people, starting with her first husband in the 13th century. Without the proper therapy, you can imagine how this has affected the kids.
Each night, starting December 12th, this troll-ish family comes down from the mountains to visit the naughty and nice. Kids will leave out a shoe and depending on whether they’re nice or naughty, they will respectively receive a treat or a potato. I’m not sure why a potato is so bad. Personally, I love potatoes, much better than the coal we get over here, but I digress.
Now, somehow the family has time for a few extra-curriculars when they go out. Gryla, well you can imagine what she likes to do with the naughty kids and her husband is happy to eat what she puts in front of him. The Yule Lads each bring their own flare to the holiday time aligning with their very descriptive and practical names.
December 12th – Stekkjarstaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) harasses your sheep.
December 13th – Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) sneaks into your cowshed to steal milk.
December 14th –Stúfur (Stubby) who’s very short, will steal your pie pans to eat leftover crust.
December 15th – Þvörusleikir (Spoon-licker) who’s very thin will steak your wooden spoons just to put a little meat on his bones.
December 16th – Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) steals leftovers from pots.
December 17th – Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) steals your bowls for a chance at some leftovers
December 18th – Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) likes to wake people up in the middle of the night by slamming doors.
December 19th - Skyrgámur (Yogurt-Gobbler) really like yogurt. Maybe just leave some out for him.
December 20th – Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) steals your smoked sausages.
December 21st – Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) just looks through your kitchen windows for something to steal. Cancel culture has been rough on old Gluggagægir, though.
December 22nd – Gáttaþefur (Door-Sniffer) has a keen olfactory sense which he uses to locate leaf bread and steal it.
December 23rd – Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) uses his trusty hook to steal meat.
December 24th – Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer) hasn’t gotten the notice that candles are no longer edible.
What does this blog have to do with DDI? Not much honestly. However, if you’re looking for a fantastic customer experience from a DDI company, you’re guaranteed to get that at Men&Mice. Afterall, they we know Gryla is warming up her large pot just a few miles away.
