Merry Christmas.....Taboo?!

[Aubrey Hepburn]

How do you feel about saying "Merry Christmas" to others? I'm sure you guys have noticed how stores and other public places are replacing the saying "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays"...schools don't have Christmas Vacation anymore(they still did when I was a kid), instead they have Winter Break.

Though I have held jobs over the holidays that didn't mind what we said, I have worked in 2 separate retail environments that actually forbid us to say "Merry Christmas" at work. They did so to prevent us from offending our customers. To be honest, I actually did say it to lots of my customers...particularly the ones who were definitely out Christmas shopping. I was pleasantly surprised at how many people told me they were happy to still hear someone saying Merry Christmas!

I can completely understand, and agree with, not offending other's feelings about the holidays and their religious beliefs. But, really, how many people become upset by the mention of a holiday that they don't actually celebrate? What are your feelings about this subject?

[Zoe]

It seems that some of the most offensive people in the world are so because they are very well aware (and sick of) what offends people. Such people include Matt Stone and Trey Parker, creators of South Park. Anyone who has seen the Christmas special remembers how every G** D*** little thing offended every single resident of South Park, all starting because a jewish boy Kyle was playing Joseph in the nativity. His mom had a hissy fit, and everyone spent the holiday just being bitter and offended. Even a little star hanging above the stage had to be striked because it was considered offensive to non-Christians.

Personally, I embrace whatever it is they celebrate. If I know a Jewish person/family, I wish them a Happy Hanukkah. If they're Christian, I wish them Merry Christmas. If I have no idea what they are, I tell them to enjoy their holiday. I don't say Merry Christmas just out of the blue, just by habit... not by avoiding a habit. I'm not Christian. But that doesn't mean I have to get all uppity if someone does wish me a Merry Christmas. It's not like they're whacking me with a Bible or anything.

Besides, Christmas has lost so much meaning religiously that its almost impossible to be offended for religious reasons. I think any Christian aspect of Christmas is purely out of habit now, and all people are thinking about is presents. Kids and teens are so preoccupied with what they should ask for and what they're gonna get, and adults are so preoccupied with the obligation to buy cards and gifts that the whole point of the season is just gone. What ever happened to the cheer and good will that these traditional songs talk about? Now we just have retail store employees dying in the holiday stampede. Good will my ass.

These are the mo-fo's that are bitching about how offensive it is to zero in on any one religious holiday during the season, while they are still running around doing Christmas shopping. Honestly, I think it's an American thing to love to hear the sound of one's own voice. No one is TRULY offended by it; they just see an opening to raise a stink and they do it, just to start a movement, be noticed, and feel important. So to those jerks: get off your f$king soap boxes and start spreading some holiday cheer! You f$king idiots! *slaps every single one of them*

[AlexIsAlive]

I don't know why people get so hung up about it.
If someone said "Happy Kwanza" to me on the street, I would just return it and keep walking.

[-Ra-]

This has always been a topic of controversy for me. In the past, I thought it shouldn't be mentioned b/c it was unfair to all other religions who had their own celebrations at this same exact time. To have said 'Merry Christmas' made it sound as if it was more important than all the rest. However, now I think it has all to do with 'attitude' and the 'context' in which it's used. If you're saying it with arrogance, just to make others feel inferior to you by pressing the importance of your own holiday on them, then I've got a problem with you. This used to be the case in my old Highschool. In the school library, any and ALL religions were banned on the internet filters, except for Christianity. And don't even wish to look up something on a Polytheistic religion, they would have prosecuted you.

I remember walking into the library one winter day, and being overwhelmed by a HUGE Christmas tree. I felt angry at the time that while all other religions were banned, they were displaying symbols and signs of their own, so I approached the Librarian lady (why are all Librarians old, menopausal ladies who have given up on life, and have sworn an oath to suck out the life-force out of everyone else?) and asked her how come they had put up a Christmas tree? She put up her hand to stop me, and told me, "Oh, this isn't a Christmas tree, it's a Winter tree."

She knew she was full of shit, and I knew she was full of shit, but she was playing it safe by being politically correct, and getting away with it. Anyway, when people are doing it like this, and getting away with it with a 'smirk' on their face, it makes me want to shove a cross down their throat and have them cough up blood. However, if you're truly a devout person, just out to celebrate the birth of your God, and you wish everyone else a happy celebration on their sacred celebrations, I have absolutely NO problems with you. But haven't these celebrations lost their purpose anyway? Christmas and Hannukah have become marketing ploys! They're just for people to go out and spend money, so they can prove to their neighbors how "devout" they are by making their houses shine brighter than the next guy's. This is like a penis waving contest. That's exactly what it is, it's a bunch of people waving their pricks at one another and shouting "LOOK! MINE IS BIGGER!! MINE IS THE BEST!".

How many children are aware that Christmas actually doesn't have shit to do with Santa? It's the celebration of Jesus' birth, hence the name Christmas, Christs's Mass. But marketing, and their favorite mascot, Santa Claus, have taken over this holiday to fill their pockets with dough. Then on the other hand, maybe I'm being a little too harsh and judgmental. But whatever, I think in the end, however much I may disagree, I would have to admit that being politically correct is much easier; and it stops ANY conflicts from coming up in the first place. Sure, I now don't see a problem when someone says "Merry Christmas" to me, but I can see how it would cause a negative reaction on others. For reasons of the sort, it would be almost impossible to decipher whether a person's Christian or not in order to be able to say "Merry Christmas" to them. So the phrase "Happy Holidays" seems to cover all of that in a non-offensive way, thus it works out in the end I think.


Ra,

[Surfer_Girl]

*sigh* I hate how they call things a "HOLIDAY TREE" and stuff, when you know it's a Christmas Tree.

What really urges me to slap people, is that people get offended over this, when YEARS ago, NO ONE CARED.

There was a story where a bunch of soccermums made sure Santa couldn't say "Hohoho" because it's the equivilent (sp?) to saying whore in America. BULLCRAP! They heard Santa say "Hohoho! Merry Christmas!" A THOUSAND TIMES and they complain now? Dx Atleast in Australia, he still says "Hohoho! Merry Christmas!" and have Christmas sales and still call holiday trees.....CHRISTMAS TREES!

How could you ever get offended by saying Merry Christmas!? Just because it's not your religion!? Just because Santa says 'Hohoho!'?? THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU CARE YEARS AGO?

-Slaps offended people- RESPECT CHRISTMAS, BIATCH!

Merry Christmas! ^_^

~SG~

[Admin]

All very good points. One of the things I have oten found myself wondering is how much of all this mess is due to what appears to be society's desire to minimize conflict. How many managers would rather mandate the use of the phrase "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" so as to reduce the chances of customers complaining/suing/receiving negative PR?

Does this all go back to actually wanting to be respectful of other beliefs and cultures? Or is it all a side effect of a lawsuit happy society where the fear of being on the receiving end of a religious discrimination lawsuit is greater than the desire to observe ones own religious celebration (or to "neuter" an already neutered holiday)?

I've been planning a contest over at TT that leads up to Christmas. Some of the thoughts I went through in planning actually involved how to phrase it all so as to respect different beliefs... So I know I am not immune to this no matter what I believe.

[TamaMum]

Personally, I really don't mind.

If someone doesn't want to offend or wants to avoid a law suit from an uptight customer then go right ahead and instruct employees to say Happy Holidays and not mention the C word

The world is full of fools who take things too seriously or too personally and who bleat the cliche "that is offending to me" at the first opportunity.
(Those that would normally say "I find this offensive" are usually intelligent enough not to be offended by the C word).

Peace and Good Will to all I say.
That's what this season is about - celebration and happiness.

Doesn't matter if it is Christmas, Eid ul Fitr, Hanukah or the Winter Solstice - let's not rant and judge; we're just people - different people - but still people

[Zoe]

Fudgit, I'm just gonna wish everyone a Happy Birthday. If they say, "It's not my birthday!" I'll say that its better late than never and that I'll probably forget them on their real birthday, so shut up and be happy and here, enjoy your gift.

[BB (big bob)]

Merry Christmas is offensive now? sounds like something Hitler would enforce!
ah well boo-f*ckin-hoo take your Merry Christmas and like it...bloody wuss.

[TigerLily013]

These are the mo-fo's that are bitching about how offensive it is to zero in on any one religious holiday during the season, while they are still running around doing Christmas shopping. Honestly, I think it's an American thing to love to hear the sound of one's own voice. No one is TRULY offended by it; they just see an opening to raise a stink and they do it, just to start a movement, be noticed, and feel important. So to those jerks: get off your f$king soap boxes and start spreading some holiday cheer! You f$king idiots! *slaps every single one of them*

*Sings* And a happy new yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaar!



Seriously though I'm just "meh" about the folks who get all wound up over stuff like this. After last year's lovely "experience", I avoid people who do the following...

Had this jewish person on another forum I go on cause a huge dramafest over someone posting a topic regarding christmas and other holidays and wanting to discuss them. Seemed like she figured the person was deliberately trying to piss her off by discussing another holiday besides hanukkah and that she was right and they were wrong and blahblahblah. She made folks take sides and crap.

Crappy for the admin there who had to sort that out. The person who started all that shit got banned after she had a dramafit and stormed out of the forum. It's people like this who I don't bother to associate with regarding this stuff.

[bratztroxg]

I am a Christian, and I have always wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Because let's face it, it IS Christmas-time, whether it's your religion or not. So you can just return the Christmas wishes and get on with your own thing. Where's the Christmas spirit gone?

[TamaMum]

... Because let's face it, it IS Christmas-time, whether it's your religion or not. So you can just return the Christmas wishes and get on with your own thing. Where's the Christmas spirit gone?

Whilst I can see your point... I think everyone should also consider other points of view. If we get all aggressive and defensive about Christmas, then surely we're no better than those who complain about the whole thing being "too Christian" and offensive to other religions?

It is also Eid and Hannukah "time" - whether it's your religion or not... don't forget that the "Christmas spirit" resides in Christians... but not necessarily in Muslims or Jews, for example

Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with getting in the Christmas spirit at this time of year but I don't think anyone should be judged if they don't want to participate either. I don't celebrate Ramadan / Eid or Hannukah but I never wish anyone that generic "Happy Holidays" thing - I hate the phrase

[Daisy]

I am a Christian, and I have always wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Because let's face it, it IS Christmas-time, whether it's your religion or not. So you can just return the Christmas wishes and get on with your own thing. Where's the Christmas spirit gone?

I agree completely. Everything just has to be so "politically correct" these days...

[Miss Matchmaker]

I celebrate Hannukah, and it kind of annoys me that people just expect every single person they see celebrates Christmas. So I'm sort of glad they put up Happy Holidays and stuff now, so no one gets left out.
Like when random people tell me Merry Christmas, I remind them I'm Jewish, but it doesn't offend me really, I understand how they can forget.

And that whole holiday tree thing- nobody else uses it on any other holiday, so I don't see why not to call it a Christmas tree, right?

[Charleene]

Honestly. Say whatever you want to whomever you want. If they take offense, then they can shove it up their rears! If you wish someone a Merry Christmas and they arent of that religion....SO WHAT! If they dont like it they dont have to respond. You are being nice by wishing them a merry christmas, just because that isnt what they call their holiday at that time of year doesnt mean it is wrong. If you celebrate another holiday and someone says it to you, then when you reply just say "Happy Hanuka!" or whatever your holiday is called, Im sure they wont take offense because everyone celebrates their own holiday and no one MEANS to upset anyone else, it is all in good intentions and there is no reason to become a tightwad about it just because they didnt mention YOUR holiday.

So, since its next month....Happy Valentines day to you all! If you dont believe that it is a proper holiday and that it is just used to sell cards and chocolates now, well too bad, I still wish you a happy valentines day, because even if its not something you celebrate, it is still a day of the week that I wish you to have a good day on!

So, throw the hate out the window people, its all in good intentions and just get along! So, anyone want some cake?