| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 3 |
kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
|
I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I can't believe some people get that upset over people using Happy Holidays over Merry Christmas.
I think the stores should say Happy Holidays! It's inclusive of all the holidays celebrated during this time of year.
Why should Christmas be the only one recognized?
Retailers- Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
The ignorance in the discussion section had me bewildered...
|
Posted 12/5/08 8:37 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
To be honest, I wonder why people care EITHER way. I don't get offended when people tell me Happy Hanukkah (and yes, it happens). Why should someone get offended when someone tells them to have a Merry Christmas? At the same time, if you want to say Happy Holidays, say Happy Holidays. That doesn't bother me at all. It boggles my mind that this is even a discussion (and it happens every. single. year). I'm sorry, but people get offended way too easily these days.
ETA -- and I mean that on BOTH sides. No need to get offended over Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah. Makes me want to just scream "get over it and enjoy the season already!"
Message edited 12/5/2008 8:41:59 AM.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:41 AM |
| |
|
kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Kara- I agree with you- I'm happy for any sentiment- at least it means the employee is friendly.
Seeing a happy, friendly clerk is rare these days 
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:43 AM |
| |
|
Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by kahlua716
Kara- I agree with you- I'm happy for any sentiment- at least it means the employee is friendly.
Seeing a happy, friendly clerk is rare these days
ITA!  That was (a much better and more concise version of) exactly what I meant!
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:45 AM |
| |
|
headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
i agree with you both - who CARES what the sentiment is? people just get offended too easily these days. don't we have better things to worry about than what "holiday greeting" a retailer chooses to use?
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:48 AM |
| |
|
pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by headoverheels
i agree with you both - who CARES what the sentiment is? people just get offended too easily these days. don't we have better things to worry about than what "holiday greeting" a retailer chooses to use?
I agree completely
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:49 AM |
| |
|
NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I think people have too much time on their hands if they have to worry about this stuff.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:49 AM |
| |
|
MissRadiant
Happily Ever After
Member since 9/08 2534 total posts
Name:
N
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I appreciate anyone saying happy anything My boss on the other hand, gets really upset when people wish him a Happy Holiday vs. Merry Christmas. He feels that people should be congratulated on what they celebrate when you know someone. To him it is about taking out the time to congratulate someone on what they celebrate. I can definitely see his point, so I am getting him a card with a HUGE Merry Christmas on it. 
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:50 AM |
| |
|
vmac
Mommy VMac
Member since 8/07 1860 total posts
Name:
Vanessa
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by Kara
Posted by kahlua716
Kara- I agree with you- I'm happy for any sentiment- at least it means the employee is friendly.
Seeing a happy, friendly clerk is rare these days
ITA! That was (a much better and more concise version of) exactly what I meant!
ITA too! I think it's silly people get so bent out of shape over this. No matter what someone wishes me, I assume if someone wishes me Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah or anything else, it's good intentioned. They aren't trying to tell me their God is better than mine, that's just silly.
I work in Sales and I say Happy Holidays only because I don't know what religon all of my clients are. I'd rather be broad and not offend than guess.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:52 AM |
| |
|
JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
People should just lighten up a bit. There is SO much other stuff to worry about. Life is just to short. Be glad someone said ANYTHING to you.
The lady in Target Wed told me to "Have a God Bless Christmas and a God Bless baby". While I would not have said either, I was like  when I walked away. It was sweet.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:54 AM |
| |
|
brownie
Baby #1 is here!
Member since 11/08 13903 total posts
Name:
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I think its stupid too to get mad about it...its the sentiment that counts!
I have holiday cards printed (w/a picture) and we put happy holidays on it will cover everyone we send it too....if I knew anyone I was sending a card to was offended, they're off the list!
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:56 AM |
| |
|
bklyngirl
COULD THIS BE MY YEAR??
Member since 6/05 15758 total posts
Name:
Gail
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
i don't celebrate christmas. if someone should say merry christmas to me in a store, i'll say thank u. if they say happy holidays i'll say thank u also
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:57 AM |
| |
|
leighdvm
My golden boys!
Member since 3/06 4419 total posts
Name:
Michele
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
When someone learned I was pregnant, they said "mazel tov" to me. I am not Jewish, but I wasn't offended one bit. It was a sentiment of good wishes. When I say Merry Christmas, I am wishing peace and love to that person.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 8:57 AM |
| |
|
Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by leighdvm
When someone learned I was pregnant, they said "mazel tov" to me. I am not Jewish, but I wasn't offended one bit. It was a sentiment of good wishes. When I say Merry Christmas, I am wishing peace and love to that person.
I guess out of habit, I do that all the time to people who aren't Jewish for anything celebratory. I just said it to my boss yesterday for his daughter's wedding
I'm not defending those who get offended, but there is a difference though. Mazel Tov is merely saying congratulations in another language, while wishing someone who isn't Christian a merry christmas is a specific holiday that they don't celebrate.
ETA - I don't get offended when someone wishes me a Merry Xmas - I merely respond with Happy Hanukah
Message edited 12/5/2008 9:03:40 AM.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:00 AM |
| |
|
1stimemom
Love my boys
Member since 2/08 8766 total posts
Name:
Mrs Dee
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by headoverheels
i agree with you both - who CARES what the sentiment is? people just get offended too easily these days. don't we have better things to worry about than what "holiday greeting" a retailer chooses to use?
ITA!! Who cares? If someone doesn't like the nice sentiment, maybe someone should tell them to have a very sh!tty holiday
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:09 AM |
| |
|
WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I don't celebrate Christmas which is why I really appreciate when people say Happy Holidays to me! That's what I always say...
However, I would get offended if someone wished me a Merry Christmas... It would have been an honest mistake by a well meaning person...
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:21 AM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
No one ever wishes me a Happy Festivus... 
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:25 AM |
| |
|
Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by GoldenRod
No one ever wishes me a Happy Festivus...
Happy Festivus from the Restivus. 
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:27 AM |
| |
|
charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by JennZ
People should just lighten up a bit. There is SO much other stuff to worry about. Life is just to short. Be glad someone said ANYTHING to you.
The lady in Target Wed told me to "Have a God Bless Christmas and a God Bless baby". While I would not have said either, I was like when I walked away. It was sweet.
See and that would have bothered me a little. Don't bless me. You don't know my religion. I don't need to be blessed by a store clerk. I am in favor of Happy Holidays because it is inclusive.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:38 AM |
| |
|
Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by charon54
Posted by JennZ
People should just lighten up a bit. There is SO much other stuff to worry about. Life is just to short. Be glad someone said ANYTHING to you.
The lady in Target Wed told me to "Have a God Bless Christmas and a God Bless baby". While I would not have said either, I was like when I walked away. It was sweet.
See and that would have bothered me a little. Don't bless me. You don't know my religion. I don't need to be blessed by a store clerk. I am in favor of Happy Holidays because it is inclusive.
If that's the most bothersome part of your day, then I'd consider it a good day...
I sure wouldn't say it. It's not my style, but it really wouldn't offend me. I'm sure the person means well and is offering good wishes. Whether or not you share the same religion or belief in God as well, just take it as a sign of good wishes.
ETA - probably not the best phrase to use at a business, agreed... but I wouldn't let it bother me at all.
Message edited 12/5/2008 9:41:18 AM.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:40 AM |
| |
|
seaside
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 3101 total posts
Name:
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I don't care what someone says to me personally, BUT I think people missed the OP's point. She was specifically pointing to people who get upset that anyone would say happy holidays RATHER than Merry Christmas. In other words, those people are UPSET that anyone would STOP presuming that the whole world is Christian and even TRY to be inclusive. There are people out there (of many religions--not just Christianity) who would like to either believe that other religions don't "matter" because theirs is "true", and who literally FEAR the recognition of diversity, especially in the religious context. IMO, this should scare intelligent people of all persuasions, and we should all have time on our hands to think about it and talk about it.
Message edited 12/5/2008 9:46:05 AM.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:45 AM |
| |
|
charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by Kara
Posted by charon54
Posted by JennZ
People should just lighten up a bit. There is SO much other stuff to worry about. Life is just to short. Be glad someone said ANYTHING to you.
The lady in Target Wed told me to "Have a God Bless Christmas and a God Bless baby". While I would not have said either, I was like when I walked away. It was sweet.
See and that would have bothered me a little. Don't bless me. You don't know my religion. I don't need to be blessed by a store clerk. I am in favor of Happy Holidays because it is inclusive.
If that's the most bothersome part of your day, then I'd consider it a good day...
I sure wouldn't say it. It's not my style, but it really wouldn't offend me. I'm sure the person means well and is offering good wishes. Whether or not you share the same religion or belief in God as well, just take it as a sign of good wishes.
ETA - probably not the best phrase to use at a business, agreed... but I wouldn't let it bother me at all.
I think that's my point. It is not appropriate for a business to have its workers saying things like God Bless You to someone as they leave. Trust me it's not the worst thing that's ever happened to me and I would never say anything back. I just don't think it is the right expresssion to use. I think saying Merry Christmas is one thing. Probably because to me that phrase is not as relgious as God Bless You. Others may feel differently.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:45 AM |
| |
|
Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Ok, let me play devil's advocate here for a moment, adding a HUGE caveat that, personally, *I* am not offended when someone wishes me a merry xmas, I merely retort "happy hanukah".
BUT, I *can* see why a little sensitivity goes a long way and why some would be offended. I think it is VERY easy to say it's no big deal and that you should just accept the "merry" sentiment, if you are coming from a majority point of view.
But, as someone who is a minority, and whose cultural background is very significant to her, I think this sentiment glosses over something that has some really serious meaning to some.
You have to understand that there are many, MANY of us, particularly in NY, who, up until only a few decades ago, would have been stoned, thrown in a ghetto, or worse, had we celebrated our holidy openly and with pride. Our ancestors, not so far, and in fact, many still living, paid a huge, HUGE price for us to happily enjoy our little holiday, light our candles, and wish one another a happy hanukah in public.
So, yes, I get that it's a happy sentiment, but to those of us who celebrate another holiday that has quite a bit of meaning and historical/family significance, to tell us to have a happy holiday that we don't celebrate, while we are celebrating another holiday that has some serious meaning to us, may come across as dismissive.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:46 AM |
| |
|
LIMOMx2
...
Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
I think people get uptight during the holiday's and need to relax!! Just be happy they are not telling you to f off or something!!
Just say thank you and walk away. People are just trying to be nice. They are not trying to convert you or anything.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:49 AM |
| |
|
seaside
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 3101 total posts
Name:
|
Re: I'm absolutely amazed at this: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays
Posted by Bxgell2
Ok, let me play devil's advocate here for a moment, adding a HUGE caveat that, personally, *I* am not offended when someone wishes me a merry xmas, I merely retort "happy hanukah".
BUT, I *can* see why a little sensitivity goes a long way and why some would be offended. I think it is VERY easy to say it's no big deal and that you should just accept the "merry" sentiment, if you are coming from a majority point of view.
But, as someone who is a minority, and whose cultural background is very significant to her, I think this sentiment glosses over something that has some really serious meaning to some.
You have to understand that there are many, MANY of us, particularly in NY, who, up until only a few decades ago, would have been stoned, thrown in a ghetto, or worse, had we celebrated our holidy openly and with pride. Our ancestors, not so far, and in fact, many still living, paid a huge, HUGE price for us to happily enjoy our little holiday, light our candles, and wish one another a happy hanukah in public.
So, yes, I get that it's a happy sentiment, but to those of us who celebrate another holiday that has quite a bit of meaning and historical/family significance, to tell us to have a happy holiday that we don't celebrate, while we are celebrating another holiday that has some serious meaning to us, may come across as dismissive.
ETA: Really dismissive. It comes off as really dismissive.
Message edited 12/5/2008 9:50:59 AM.
|
| Posted 12/5/08 9:49 AM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 3 |
