Seasons Greetings question

[ufcrusher]

It seems to me that people are making a big deal out of what others are saying to wish people well over the holiday season. By this I mean, you have the ever present "merry Christmas", "Happy Hannukah", "Good Kwanza", and the over arching Seasons greetings and Happy Holidays.

For the first time in my memory, people are fighting about people saying "merry christmas" or even saying that the National Tree is a Christmas Tree. The NBC nightly news and some other nightly news program is even doing segments on this fact.

From my perspective, I have always hated how people always said, Merry Christmas. I would either respond, and a Happy Hannukah to you too or Happy Holidays. Over the years, I figured that those who mattered knew what to say to me and to hell with the rest of them, it wasnt worth the "discussion" that woud often ensue my response. So at this point, it depends on my mood. What I find particularly funny is my wife, who is not jewish, gets incensed by everyone wishing me a Merry Christmas and says Happy hannukah in response now.

I find the issue with the tree even more irrational, as there is no tree in Judiasm...we have our menorah. So how could a christmas tree be anything other than a christmas tree?

What do you say to people? What do you think should be the standard salutation? What do you think of how they are taking PC'ness to the next extreme?

******Remember, this is in Off Topic, there is no Political Forum for now, and this is not to incite a fight, flaming, or any other ill will. GAM will obviously remove this thread if it takes a turn for the worse, but I think it can be calmly discussed.*******

[Bires]

There shouldn't be a standard greeting. Say what you want, and if you don't hear what you want, get over it.

Or, move to Isreal, Saudi Arabia, Rome, or Utah.

[ialsohaveadream]

I was speaking to a group of about 100 people today, and since my next meeting with them isn't until next year, I closed by saying "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year to you all." I knew there were at least some Jewish people in the audience, so I thought that should merit a Happy Hanukkah.

I've gone to a bagel store and they told me "Happy Hanukkah". I wasn't the least bit offended, especially considering where the bagel place was (their clientele is mostly Jewish...mmmm, authentic bagels). To me, it'd be like if I went to Mexico and someone said "Happy Cinco de Mayo!" I'm not Mexican, but I'm not offended that they're wishing me well on a holiday, whether I celebrate it or not.

[eSDee]

I say Merry Christmas to my friends/family who I know celebrate Christmas. For others I say Happy Holidays, unless I know they celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanza. Then I adapt the message to them.

[bachviet]

Merry Christmas

[zippyjuan]

It is meant as a friendly greeting and well wishes. Like "Have a nice day!". Even if it may not speak to your own personal beliefs, feel happy that they care to offer you a plesant greeting and give them one in return! It is only a big deal if you let it be. Just enjoy life! The Christmas tree can represent whatever you want. It doesn't have to have the same meaning it does for everyone else. If you are sad that the tree was cut down, then you can let it bother you. Otherwise, it is nothing more than something meant to brighten an otherwise depressing (weather wise due to shorter days) time of the year. What pretty lights! So Merry Christmas!

[welfareloser]

i send "happy holidays" cards to my jewish friends (okay... my lone jewish friend and my husband's boss :P ) because i figure a straight-up non-jew sending a "happy channukkah" card would be about as lame as me wearing g-unit clothes and trying to rap for kwanzaa ;) not because i'm afraid to offend, just because i don't know if they celebrate christmas as a secular holiday, or if they eschew it entirely.

i don't know why some little segment of society is making such a huge deal out of what people do personally. i think the "debate" exists only in the media. it's good to raise awareness that there are other holidays than christmas, but this isn't 1952 anymore and i think we've long since done that... if somebody wants to say merry christmas, so what? it's like luke saying "may the force be with you" to his non-jedi buddy han (heh... i can turn anything dorky :P )

newsweek does a weekly report of various polls, and one poll said that 38% of americans are offended by the forced blandness of "happy holidays."

anyway... before somebody does, i say: don't nobody go talkin bout how you "can't" say this or that about christmas/jesus/bible/etc. there are billboards and tv commercials all over the place making biblical references... sunbeam bread. nick jr. nobody cares. it's all good. :)

[Sirrich3]

Happy Holidays!!!!

[nickel]

"Have a good one" is a greeting that fits all sizes.

But I usually say Merry Christmas even in response to someone who wishes me Happy Holidays.

[welfareloser]

"Have a good one" is a greeting that fits all sizes.

But I usually say Merry Christmas even in response to someone who wishes me Happy Holidays.

:hmm: i have a loo cover (that i got at a boot sale, in fact :P ) that says exactly that .

[Merlin]

I say "Bah Humbug!"

[nickel]

I say "Bah Humbug!"
my gift to you, a Scrooge avatar. ;)

http://dreamquest.to/Avatars/Misc/Christmas/m1scrooge.gif

[LegendKiller]

Happy Festivus.

[johnnymk]

HAPPY POLITICALLY CORRECT HOLIDAY :santa:

[welfareloser]

dude... politically correct? then why is your santa caucasian? :hmm:

[InfiniteNothing]

I vote for "happy solstice"

[DarkFury]

I just give folks a good ol' "head nod" and keep on walkin'.... True brotha style. :D :cool:

[esme]

I say Merry Christmas to my friends/family who I know celebrate Christmas. For others I say Happy Holidays.


I do the same :hihi:

[InfiniteNothing]

There shouldn't be a standard greeting. Say what you want, and if you don't hear what you want, get over it.

Or, move to Isreal, Saudi Arabia, Rome, or Utah.

If you don't like it then move? what kind of mentality is that? With that kind of thinking there can't be progress in anything. I don't necessarily disagree with "say what you want" but I don't think people who want change or who want a little sensitivity/tolerance/inclusively should just STFU.

[InfiniteNothing]

I was speaking to a group of about 100 people today, and since my next meeting with them isn't until next year, I closed by saying "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year to you all." I knew there were at least some Jewish people in the audience, so I thought that should merit a Happy Hanukkah.

I've gone to a bagel store and they told me "Happy Hanukkah". I wasn't the least bit offended, especially considering where the bagel place was (their clientele is mostly Jewish...mmmm, authentic bagels). To me, it'd be like if I went to Mexico and someone said "Happy Cinco de Mayo!" I'm not Mexican, but I'm not offended that they're wishing me well on a holiday, whether I celebrate it or not.

It's easier to be offended when you were born here and you are in the minority. That is, you are not likely to be offended if you go to Mexico because you go there as a foreigner and you're not likely to be offended here because you are in the majority.

[esme]

i really don't care what people say as long as they're wishing me well ....what's the big deal

[nickel]

It's easier to be offended when you were born here and you are in the minority. That is, you are not likely to be offended if you go to Mexico because you go there as a foreigner and you're not likely to be offended here because you are in the majority.
it's easier to be offended when you look to be offended every chance you get because that seems to be the politically correct way to feel.


i really don't care what people say as long as they're wishing me well ....what's the big deal
that's my girl :thumb:

[Mommypooh]

i say you celebrate hanukkah you say "happy Hanukkah", you celbrate Christmas "merry Cristmas" and so on. if you don't celebrate anything then pretend it is going on. I say to each his own. I don't care if you celebrate a different holiday and wish me well for that holiday, just don't get mad when I tell you Merry Christmas.

[InfiniteNothing]

it's easier to be offended when you look to be offended every chance you get because that seems to be the politically correct way to feel.

Also true but that does not detract from the legitimacy of their feelings or the legitimacy of their cause.

[InfiniteNothing]

pretend it is going on.:hmm:
I say to each his own. I don't care if you celebrate a different holiday and wish me well for that holiday, just don't get mad when I tell you Merry Christmas.

If I may use a Bires argument, you don't want people to get upset, stop saying it or move to the vatican ;)

[ufcrusher]

I'm not sure if I agree with the minority is more likely to be offended view. As a member of a minority, I have come to realize that most people are not trying to offend others, but rather are either uneducated or unaware how they are coming off. Now, if the person knows I am jewish and sits there and says Merry Christmas to me, yes...it bugs me, unless I am at a Christmas celebration..then I cant get annoyed. (For example, at my in-laws on Christmas morning opening up the gifts, they say Merry Christmas and it would be ludicrous of me to get annoyed.)

Now I may be a bit more open than many Jewish people because my step-mom converted to Judiasm. As such, I have been exposed to it on a personal level for a large portion of my life and learned to just accept some of it when it comes to family. I think this thickened my skin to the rest of the world as well.

Now, I must say that when it comes from a governmental or state agency, I dont think that is acceptable. They should be inclusive of all, as they represent everyone. I do question why the postal service gets off christmas but not any of the jewish or other religious holidays, yet no one complains. I think that is more of an issue than what to call a Christmas tree. How about the national Tannenbaum. ( For those unfamiliar with German - Tannenbaum means Fir Tree AND Christmas Tree)

[Grimm]

I say "Bah Humbug!"
:stupid: Where is my Bah Humbug poll option?

[Butch]

I don't give a rat's ass what people say to me . . . I'm happy they're wishing me well . . .

However, I always wish people "Happy Holidays" because I don't want to make assumptions about them . . . there is no reason not to be as inclusive as possible . . . especially when it is this easy.

[ialsohaveadream]

i really don't care what people say as long as they're wishing me well ....what's the big deal
Pretty much my thinking there. I'd rather be told to enjoy a holiday I don't celebrate than to f*ck off.

As a member of a minority, I have come to realize that most people are not trying to offend others, but rather are either uneducated or unaware how they are coming off.
I don't think that's necessarily true. I'm aware of how I'm coming off if I tell someone Merry Christmas. I'm coming off as someone who is wishing someone else a good day on a holiday. It didn't offend me to be told Happy Hanukkah, because I know the person wasn't thinking "Damned Gentile, I'll show him!", they were just genuinely wishing me a happy holiday.

[Airencracken]

Generally I go with ignoring them, or if someone is insistant **** off works well.

Ugh I hate chri**mas time.


:stupid: Where is my Bah Humbug poll option?

:stupid:

[Bires]

If you don't like it then move? what kind of mentality is that? With that kind of thinking there can't be progress in anything. I don't necessarily disagree with "say what you want" but I don't think people who want change or who want a little sensitivity/tolerance/inclusively should just STFU.

Uh...ok. I'm sure someone realized what I was saying. Just not you.

If you must attack me, I understand. (I'll go back to hanging out in other forums. Apparently the spirit of the politics forums is alive an well) :disa:

[cheapie]

Generally I go with ignoring them, or if someone is insistant **** off works well.

Ugh I hate chri**mas time.



:stupid:



you know....they're not going to kick you out of atheism if you respond with something less than an intolerant response when the topic of religion is discussed. :rolleyes:

i don't think people have as big of a problem with individuals saying happy holidays as they do with institutions disallowing the practice of saying merry christmas or having any mention of the holiday name. imho, that's the sucky part.

[Airencracken]

:shrug:

I don't like commercial x-mas. All the fake cheer and being nice to people you can't stand their guts etc. I hate being expected to buy people gifts, I love giving gifts, but being obligated to do so takes a bit of the fun out of it. I like to give gifts for no reason and do so often, but being spoonfed niceness, just takes the sincerity out of it.

[InfiniteNothing]

i don't think people have as big of a problem with individuals saying happy holidays as they do with institutions disallowing the practice of saying merry christmas or having any mention of the holiday name. imho, that's the sucky part.

Whoah, which institutions are these. That's going a bit too far in that direction.

[gear02]

I blame the lawyers.

[ufcrusher]

I blame the lawyers. Nope..blame our clients who hire us to file suit. If there is a valid cause of action, then we get to go forward. The lawyers have nothing to do with it except being the instruments of implementing the action.

[cheapie]

kinda like blaming the stick because someone whacking another person.

[LPMiller]

except the stick can't say no thanks, go away.

[DarkFury]

Here's a video that seems appropriate for this thread...

http://www.illwillpress.com/xmas.html

(Viewer Discretion is advised.... for language purposes)