Let me start with two facts:
1) I live in the Bible Belt.
2) My former job (as an editor) dictated that I take special care not to offend anyone.
Taking number 2 into account, I have been surprised to hear the majority of store clerks using “Merry Christmas” as a greeting as I’ve been out and about this season.
Could this be because if number 1? I know there has in recent years been some backlash against “Happy Holidays.” Is that now politically incorrect?
I’m curious if you guys in other parts of the country are hearing as much “Merry Christmas” as I am. And around here, I’m not alone in that I’m hearing it the majority of the time, am I? In fact, I don’t think I’ve heard “Happy Holidays” even once.
Personally, for the record, I’m not offended by either phrase.
All that said, Merry Christmas eve and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Comments
18 responses to “Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?”
I don’t think I’ve noticed either way while out shopping. While I obviously wholeheartedly support Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays doesn’t bother me. To me, it means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Last blog post from Amy – Victim of OCD
I don’t think I’ve noticed either way while out shopping. While I obviously wholeheartedly support Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays doesn’t bother me. To me, it means Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Last blog post from Amy – Victim of OCD
I haven’t noticed–which probably means that nobody’s been saying much of either! I wouldn’t be surprised if a large number of people around here celebrate Hanukkah–Yom Kippur’s a school holiday here, although it wasn’t where I grew up.
I haven’t noticed–which probably means that nobody’s been saying much of either! I wouldn’t be surprised if a large number of people around here celebrate Hanukkah–Yom Kippur’s a school holiday here, although it wasn’t where I grew up.
Happy Merry Christmahanukwanzakuh to you!
Last blog post from Elwood – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…
Happy Merry Christmahanukwanzakuh to you!
Last blog post from Elwood – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…
I had a conversation about this with someone earlier. He lives in the Philippines & was asking me about American holiday greetings and if he should be worried about offending someone if he accidentally says “Merry Christmas” to someone who’s Jewish or something.
I told him that unless he was deliberately trying to be an ass by saying “Merry Christmas” to someone he knows for a fact doesn’t celebrate, I’d bet the average person would probably appreciate that he was trying to say something nice. Furthermore, if they’re the kind of person who gets incredibly bent out of shape and up in arms after you’ve just tried to be nice, then they probably deserve to be a little offended.
I qualified this by saying 1. I am not Christian, though I celebrate Christmas as a part of the culture in which I was raised and 2. Neither I nor anyone I know of any faith has ever done more than say “thank you, but I actually celebrate Yule. Merry Christmas to you,” or something of the kind.
Merry Christmas, Melissa. Making your acquaintance has been an unexpected and welcome gift.
Last blog post from Heather – The Darkest Evening of the Year
I had a conversation about this with someone earlier. He lives in the Philippines & was asking me about American holiday greetings and if he should be worried about offending someone if he accidentally says “Merry Christmas” to someone who’s Jewish or something.
I told him that unless he was deliberately trying to be an ass by saying “Merry Christmas” to someone he knows for a fact doesn’t celebrate, I’d bet the average person would probably appreciate that he was trying to say something nice. Furthermore, if they’re the kind of person who gets incredibly bent out of shape and up in arms after you’ve just tried to be nice, then they probably deserve to be a little offended.
I qualified this by saying 1. I am not Christian, though I celebrate Christmas as a part of the culture in which I was raised and 2. Neither I nor anyone I know of any faith has ever done more than say “thank you, but I actually celebrate Yule. Merry Christmas to you,” or something of the kind.
Merry Christmas, Melissa. Making your acquaintance has been an unexpected and welcome gift.
Last blog post from Heather – The Darkest Evening of the Year
hi you! kinda as a rule at Gap, we say “happy holidays”…but i notice that people respond back to me “merry christmas!” so, i always reply “merry christmas” back to them because that’s what i would normally say! i just stick with the gap rule cause i don’t want to hear any lectures about religion/holidays from anyone…seriously, I don’t get enough to hear all that! haha! 🙂
hi you! kinda as a rule at Gap, we say “happy holidays”…but i notice that people respond back to me “merry christmas!” so, i always reply “merry christmas” back to them because that’s what i would normally say! i just stick with the gap rule cause i don’t want to hear any lectures about religion/holidays from anyone…seriously, I don’t get enough to hear all that! haha! 🙂
ok…so, i just read a Facebook post my friend Ian wrote…and I thought you’d enjoy. (Hope you don’t mind me posting it!)
Ok this is the craziest time of year for me. It has been full of 5am shifts, bitter customers and moments that make one say “The hell?” Ahh yes, it’s Christmas. I am not going to bitch and moan about work, my co wokers, or customers. I have done that on my blog already. (http://busyboydblake.blogspot.com) Instead, I will share an interaction I have had with plenty of customers over the years.
Ok, so everyone has gotten PC and it’s pretty much a no no to wish someone “Merry Christmas” unless you are certain they are Christian. It took a minute and someone saying “I’m not Christian” for me to really wrap my head around the concept. (Which is odd, because I grew up with tons of jewish people) Anyway, I just alwas wish people a happy holiday. It’s much easier and it’s almost impossible to offend someone. Well so I thought:
*Ian finishes up ringing customer. He bags the purchase smiles and hands the bag to the customer*
Ian: Thanks for stopping in! Have a happy holiday!! *said with waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much cheer in his voice an no trace of his trademark monotone.*
Lady: Alright, thank you. you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! *shoots Ian a look that says “accept Jesus into your life right now or I’ll persecute you!”* (also I need you to note that she damn near yelled “MERRY CHRISTMAS” at me.)
*Ian just kind of smiles nervously.* (Not sure why it was nervously. I do celebrate Christmas, for the record)
Lady: Oh, and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR. *gives another weird look. This one says “a new year with JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR!”*
*Ian smiles with his eyes*
It took everything for me not to yell out “I’m JEWISH! I’ll be sure to have a HAPPY HANNUKAH!!!” or “All praises to Allah” I was kind of curious to see how she would react. Would she throw holy water on me? Force me to sing the Christmas song? Drag me to midnight mass? I just don’t know…
ok…so, i just read a Facebook post my friend Ian wrote…and I thought you’d enjoy. (Hope you don’t mind me posting it!)
Ok this is the craziest time of year for me. It has been full of 5am shifts, bitter customers and moments that make one say “The hell?” Ahh yes, it’s Christmas. I am not going to bitch and moan about work, my co wokers, or customers. I have done that on my blog already. (http://busyboydblake.blogspot.com) Instead, I will share an interaction I have had with plenty of customers over the years.
Ok, so everyone has gotten PC and it’s pretty much a no no to wish someone “Merry Christmas” unless you are certain they are Christian. It took a minute and someone saying “I’m not Christian” for me to really wrap my head around the concept. (Which is odd, because I grew up with tons of jewish people) Anyway, I just alwas wish people a happy holiday. It’s much easier and it’s almost impossible to offend someone. Well so I thought:
*Ian finishes up ringing customer. He bags the purchase smiles and hands the bag to the customer*
Ian: Thanks for stopping in! Have a happy holiday!! *said with waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much cheer in his voice an no trace of his trademark monotone.*
Lady: Alright, thank you. you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! *shoots Ian a look that says “accept Jesus into your life right now or I’ll persecute you!”* (also I need you to note that she damn near yelled “MERRY CHRISTMAS” at me.)
*Ian just kind of smiles nervously.* (Not sure why it was nervously. I do celebrate Christmas, for the record)
Lady: Oh, and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR. *gives another weird look. This one says “a new year with JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR!”*
*Ian smiles with his eyes*
It took everything for me not to yell out “I’m JEWISH! I’ll be sure to have a HAPPY HANNUKAH!!!” or “All praises to Allah” I was kind of curious to see how she would react. Would she throw holy water on me? Force me to sing the Christmas song? Drag me to midnight mass? I just don’t know…
I had the same thought when I was out shopping. Merry Christmas never offends me because I celebrate the holiday, but what if I didn’t. I asked a few non-Christian friends about this matter, but they said that at this point in their lives they’re just used to it and let it slide off their shoulders.
I had the same thought when I was out shopping. Merry Christmas never offends me because I celebrate the holiday, but what if I didn’t. I asked a few non-Christian friends about this matter, but they said that at this point in their lives they’re just used to it and let it slide off their shoulders.
Ok I say Merry Christmas, I’m Christian, I completely believe the story about why we even have Christmas to begin with. Happy Holidays does not offend me, it encompasses the whole season; however, I think it is the most retarded thing in the frickin world to call it a dern Holiday Tree instead of a Christmas tree. It is a CHRISTMAS TREE, you would not buy one and hang “holiday ornaments” on it if you were not celebrating “Christmas”. Shewwww ok I feel better.
Ok I say Merry Christmas, I’m Christian, I completely believe the story about why we even have Christmas to begin with. Happy Holidays does not offend me, it encompasses the whole season; however, I think it is the most retarded thing in the frickin world to call it a dern Holiday Tree instead of a Christmas tree. It is a CHRISTMAS TREE, you would not buy one and hang “holiday ornaments” on it if you were not celebrating “Christmas”. Shewwww ok I feel better.
Holiday Tree. Never heard that one. That really is funny. What next?
Holiday Tree. Never heard that one. That really is funny. What next?