[Barefoot]

I think that clerks who say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" are merely trying to be pleasant.
I think that it's an automatic comment -- they aren't even thinking about it.
It gives them a vacation from having to say "Have a nice day".

[billethkid]

the only negative I have about the entire issue involves those who want to continue to pursue the removal of things like MERRY CHRISTMAS for all the lame excuses that are presented.

Nothing has changed in the lat 75 years except for the evolution to an environment where too much attention to special interests and minority (not race) groups is levied in the so called tone of not wanting to offend ANYBODY.

The old adage that not matter how hard we try we will never be able to please everybody........but we are sure trying.

When I am wished a happy holiday by anybody in a store I thank them and state we say Merry Christmas....almost every single one without exception....to date.....say we do too!!!!!!!!!!

To each his own, but please don't try to eliminate mine/ours because somebody does not like it!!!!!

[TheVillageChicken]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I think that clerks who say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" are merely trying to be pleasant.
I think that it's an automatic comment -- they aren't even thinking about it.
It gives them a vacation from having to say "Have a nice day".

When they tell me to "Have a nice day," I say, "Thank you, but I have other plans."

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by quirky3

People who say "Merry Christmas" only mean well. People who say "Happy Holidays" only mean well.

No need for negative feelings toward either.

Amen!

[mgm4444]

If this one of the things that bug you at retirement age, you should thank whoever or whatever you believe in that this is a concern to you. Really???

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

Most of the folks wishing you a Merry Christmas are not intending to convey a religious connotation. They are simply telling you to "Enjoy the end of year gluttony and commercial greed fueled burden of mindless gift giving."

I don't agree with you, but it's still funny.

Halibut. We once were the token protestants in a community of half Jews, half Catholics, for a three-year stint in North Jersey. I didn't know quite what to say to anyone about anything! The "December Program" at school was centered around Santa and the dreidel.

It's a different mix here. Sometimes you just have to endure and not take it too personally. If you said Happy Hanukkah to me, I would be glad for your well wishes. We have a Jewish brother-in-law and Jewish niece and nephew. We've had Hanukkah dinners that coincide with Christmas celebrations. We've figured out how to honor each.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Halibut

Gah. It's that time of year again when clerks, cashiers, waiters, doctor's office staff, etc. are going to start wishing me a merry Christmas. I shouldn't let it bother me but sometimes it does because, hey! I'm not Christian. Do I go around wishing people a happy Hanukkah or blessed Diwali or whatever?

If I'm getting a haircut and am trapped when the barber asks what I'm doing for the holidays, I'll usually just say I don't celebrate Christmas and hope he shuts it. But I do realize it's pretty churlish and rude to snap at cashiers who are just making passing small talk while working the register and not even looking up at me.

My wife tells me I should consider "merry Christmas" to be a non-sectarian greeting, but I'm not convinced. I guess it's the assumptions that bother me. Don't hang your religious beliefs on me, okay? I promise not to put mine on you.

Have you thought of wearing a name tag expressing your feelings.
How does anyone really know you are not a Christian?

[graciegirl]

Shalom.

I so miss you Ruthie.

[manaboutown]

My experience is very much the opposite in that all I get are "Happy Holidays" since the companies have gone all PC in attempting to not offend anyone. I actually can not recall receiving a "Merry Christmas" from a clerk, employee or merchant in several years, even some that know me. This is no doubt because of company policy in response to pressure from the PC crowd.

I exchange Merry Christmas with Christian friends, Happy Hanukkah with Jewish friends and only say "Happy Holidays" as a last resort. BTW I am fairly tired of routinely hearing the overused "Have a Nice Day" which is , pardon the pun, rather shop worn.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[TheVillageChicken]

Quote:


Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken View Post

Most of the folks wishing you a Merry Christmas are not intending to convey a religious connotation. They are simply telling you to "Enjoy the end of year gluttony and commercial greed fueled burden of mindless gift giving."

Originally Posted by CFrance

I don't agree with you, but it's still funny.

I'm just saying that, to many..especially, younger folks, Christmas has become a cultural holiday instead of a religious one.

[sunnyatlast]

I think I'd be thankful that of all the countries where Jewish communities have tried to live in freedom and peace, this mostly-christian USA seems to be relatively safe and welcoming.

Judeo-Christian values have a lot to do with the good life we all have here.

"Merry Christmas" is also a greeting of thankfulness and peace during a Judeo-Christian holiday season.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast

I think I'd be thankful that of all the countries where Jewish communities have tried to live in freedom and peace, this mostly-christian USA seems to be relatively safe and welcoming.

Judeo-Christian values have a lot to do with the good life we all have here.

"Merry Christmas" is also a greeting of thankfulness and peace during a Judeo-Christian holiday season.

We were founded as a Judeo-Christian country and 5 of my fore bearers fought in the American Revolutionary War in support of those principles. I do my best to maintain those rights, and encourage others to do the same. Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukah!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Halibut

Haha! Thanks, Chicken. I may start responding with, "Merry mindless gift-giving and angry, divisive debates over nativity scenes in town squares to you, too!"

Oddly enough, it doesn't bother me at Easter or when someone says "God bless you" or tells me to "Have blessed day in The Villages!" At least then I know they're doing it on purpose, out of a sense of Christian testimony or whatever. I guess I just find Christmas to be suffocating in general.



Even if the customer is wearing an abaya?

I think you've kind of pinned down your feeling with that sentence, and the many Merry Christmas wishes of others point to that stifled feeling. My Jewish brother-in-law feels the same way about Christmas. Even though Christmas is celebrated in their family because his wife is Christian, it is kept very low key. A tree but no other decorations, and a few gifts but not a deluge. In the beginning of their marriage, he could almost get depressed at the overabundance of it all.

[lafoto]

Originally Posted by Halibut

I guess I just find Christmas to be suffocating in general

When in Rome...do as the Romans do. If it gets too tough just run on down to Boca

[jblum315]

Just to keep it real: Jesus (religious or historical) was almost certainly not born on Christmas Day nor even in December.
Taxes were collected in July so that is when Joseph would have taken his pregnant wife to Bethlehem where she gave birth.
The Christmas holiday is based on the ancient pagan celebration of the days getting longer after the winter solstice on Dec. 21. Thus the Yule log and trees decorated festively etc. I do not know when or why that festival got conflated with the birth of Jesus
The Pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas, workers did not even get a day off.
So you can say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas or thank you or Bah Humbug but please don't tell me to have a nice day