"Happy Holidays" v. "Merry Christmas"

Homer · #1 12-21-2005, 10:25 PM

Anyone who is offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" needs to calm down and think about the intent of the comment. In almost all circumstances, it's the equivalent of "hello", nothing more.

#2 12-22-2005, 01:03 AM

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Anyone who is offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" needs to calm down and think about the intent of the comment. In almost all circumstances, it's the equivalent of "hello", nothing more.

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Yep. And the same for "Happy Holidays" or "Joyous Kwanzaa" or "Helluva Hannukah" or whatever. I agree, no reason to be offended, I don't think. The point I was trying to make, though, is that it seems a lot of people are being offended by "Happy Holidays" -- more so than usual. You'd probably agree that there's no reason to be -- and I agree with you. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

istewart · #3 12-22-2005, 11:32 AM

Please point me toward any area where you've ever heard people say "Joyous Kwanzaa."

So I can remind myself never to go there.

#4 12-22-2005, 11:43 AM

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Please point me toward any area where you've ever heard people say "Joyous Kwanzaa."

So I can remind myself never to go there.

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You missed the "or whatever" part of my post.

#5 12-22-2005, 11:45 AM

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From: PokerRoom.com [mailto:support@pokerroom.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 3:18 AM
Subject: PokerRoom.com wishes you a Happy Holiday!

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This offends me. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

OtisTheMarsupial · #6 12-23-2005, 02:25 AM

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Anyone who is offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas" needs to calm down and think about the intent of the comment. In almost all circumstances, it's the equivalent of "hello", nothing more.

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Offended is a bit too strong a word here. I'd say annoyed fits better. I'm offended when people say "Merry Christmas" in that jesus loves you way, and I'm just slightly annoyed when people say "Merry Christmas" in the I'm lazy/mildly rude and don't want to say "Happy Holidays" way.

Saying "Merry Christmas" all the time is poor etiquette, not a criminal offense. But, would you run around on your birthday saying "Hapy Birthday" to others?

No, you tell people Happy ___ thing they celebrate. You say Happy Chanukah to Jews and Merry Christmas to Christians and Happy Holidays when you don't know the person well or they're atheist, and so on...

Just like you say "please" and "thank you." It's just plain old fashioned proper etiquette.

ianlippert · #7 12-23-2005, 09:30 AM

I'm an athiest, I say merry xmas. Seriously why would it annoy you? Cant you enjoy xmas in a secular way, as in just a time to be with family and collect mad loot [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

North America is mostly christian, why would you get angry when they want to celebrate the central figure in their faith. I wouldnt go to a muslim country and get all pissed off at them when they want to practice their religion.

Political Correctness is just lame people trying to make a point that nobody cares about.

peritonlogon · #8 12-23-2005, 01:22 PM

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Political Correctness is just lame people trying to make a point that nobody cares about.

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Ahhh, no, Political Correctness is just a lame way to dismiss someone's point of view out of hand....but whatever...

OtisTheMarsupial · #9 12-23-2005, 02:35 PM

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North America is mostly christian, why would you get angry when they want to celebrate the central figure in their faith. I wouldnt go to a muslim country and get all pissed off at them when they want to practice their religion.

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No one is angry.
We said we were offended and annoyed when they tell us to have a merry Christmas.
We're not angry, offended, or annoyed that they want to celebrate Christmas.

It's about being polite. It's about etiquette.

It's in the same vein as pronouncing someone's name correctly or addressing them with their proper title (Dr, Mr, Ms).