I suppose in an attempt to spread the opposite of holiday cheer, a Rasmussen report has confirmed for at least the third year in a row that most American adults -- 70 percent! -- prefer stores greet customers with "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "Happy Holidays." Oh, dear. Nothing like some good old-fashioned "U.S.A.!" discrimination to make this time of year even more stressful!
Americans Who Prefer 'Merry Christmas' to 'Happy Holidays' Are Wrong
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Americans Who Prefer 'Merry Christmas' to 'Happy Holidays' Are Wrong
Posted by Maressa Brown on November 30, 2011
When I read something like this, I can't help but recall my Midwestern suburban childhood, during which I was one of the only -- if not the only -- Jewish kids in school, from kindergarten on up through senior year. Plenty of teachers were happy to have me give a little speech to the class about the eight-day Festival of Lights or to include "The Dreidel Song" in our holiday choir show. But, at the same time, being wished an exclusive "Merry Christmas" (not "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!" -- there is a distinction) by neighbors and in stores never failed to get on my nerves.
Over the years, despite moving to an area where I'm not a minority at all, not much has changed. No, I'm not being a total Grinch. I appreciate the "Merry Christmas" sentiment! I think, "Why, thank you, I'll certainly have a merry Christmas ... while partaking in my family's typical December 25 tradition of Chinese food and a movie!" But the blatant neglect of different religions and cultures irritates me all the same, on behalf of my fellow Jews, and Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Atheists, agnostics, all of whom are also Americans.
Yes, I get it. We're a tiny, measly group compared to the 76 percent of Americans who identify themselves as Christians (which might explain the almost exact match-up to the percent who prefer "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays"). But that doesn't mean we should be slighted, ignored, or outright disrespected this time of the year.
Regardless of how FOX News types constantly attempt to spin it, saying "Happy Holidays" isn't overly PC, and it doesn't detract from Christmas. It's the most humanitarian, diplomatic, and oh yeah, sensible sentiment to offer a stranger or for retail stores to wish their customers. It's an acknowledgment that not every American celebrates Christmas. That there are those of us out there who celebrate holidays other than Christmas (and even they don't fall in December, there's always New Year's, which I've always figured "Happy Holidays" encompasses). And after all, isn't the message of the holidays "peace on Earth, good will toward men"?
I'm not talking about going to extremes, you know, like asking that a mall/town/store rename their Christmas tree a "holiday tree." (Although if they have a tree, they should also have a menorah and perhaps some secular symbols prominently displayed.) But when it comes to season's greetings in a civil/public place, "Happy Holidays" is certainly the expression for the job.
Where do you fall in this debate?
Posted by
on Dec. 1, 2011 at 10:49 AM
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by
Momma Moose
on Dec. 3, 2011 at 5:43 PM
1 mom liked this
Quoting romalove:
Quoting great-grandm338:
Hello, Great grandma here..Lawyer or small business owner..And yes the Holy God I Worship does care whether you celebrate the birth of his son, Jesus Christ..Oh, wait, excuse me I' have spoken in error..Let me clarify my point..God does not force himself on anyone..And by the way..He does not take care of the children of others..So..If you're not God's child..Whose creation are you? Jesus loves you..And this little angel is wishing you peace in the season you obviouslydo not believe in..Sir, madam, whom ever, Christ is the reason for the season..No Christ..No C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S..No happy Hanukkah..And no self respecting Muslim lady, Jewish lady, or Christian lady would apply at Hooter's..Think what you will of us believer's..Small minded, narrow minded, or whatever..But, we are out there..We are His sheep..And WE Know the Voice of our Shepherd..Merry Christmas..Couldn't help myself....
You're a sheep?
I have to step away from the keyboard....
Oh, she's a sheep alright.
by
Member
on Dec. 3, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Jesus is referred to as our Shepherd..Believer' are referred to as The sheep of His flock...Read The Book of Matthew..CH.1 v. 18; Ch..2;V. 1-23; Again, Jesus loves you..If you would only accept his love, his mercy, and his grace../You would never regret the decision..
by
Ruby Member
on Dec. 3, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Hmmm, what a familiar voice ... only a different name .... one that perhaps would defy any criticism related to how long one has worshipped which was recently aimed at that similar voice... Things that make you go "hmmmm".
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by
Member
on Dec. 3, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Merry Christmas to you too!
Quoting dustinsmom1:
Quoting sdmckinney:
Since when is a preference wrong? Why can't we just see that how ever someone greets you, it is their intention that really matters? We can't make everyone happy all of the time and we can't expect others to make us happy all of the time. If someone greets me in a manner, with a good intention, I am happy. I would not be offended if someone greeted me in a manner that expressed their beliefs. It does not mean they expect me to change mine. They are expressing a greeting in a manner they feel is appropriate. If they believe this is a good greeting and have good intentions, we should appreciate that. Their greeting may express something about their personal beliefs, but why would that be wrong? People should be free to express their beliefs. People are also free to have different beliefs. People are also free to ignore, disagree with or disregard what beliefs they choose to. We should be more concerned about issues that infringe on individual rights.
I think I love you!!
by
Bronze Member
on Dec. 3, 2011 at 11:44 PM
I could care less what other people say. I really don't think twice about it.
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by
Member
on Dec. 3, 2011 at 11:47 PM
You are right. I understand the type of political correctness that attempts to eliminate things that are truly offensive to people. I think it is the persons intent behind the statement that really matters. I don't think anyone intends to offend anyone else by saying "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays." People will become more divided if we try to think of something in some one's word that may be offensive to someone. If the greeter has good intentions, that is the part we should see.
Quoting Thomigirl:
The Stig!!!
Quoting silverrose7:
I say Merry Christmas because that's what I've always said. I don't get offended if someone says Happy Holidays or Happy Hanukkah to me, why should they get pissed if I say Merry Christmas? When did manners go completely out the window? If someone says something nice you just smile and say "You too." How hard is that? Political correctness does alot more to divide than to unite.
by
Ruby Member
on Dec. 4, 2011 at 12:21 AM
I got caught up in the topic, as I tend to do as this is a hot button for me, and forgot to address the title of the OP. I disagree that it's WRONG to prefer one over the other. What is WRONG, IMO, is taking a retailer or businesses decision to insist their employees NOT exclude non-Christian customers/clients while representing the store or company as an ATTACK against Christians. I have never once heard of any town, city, or community outlawing "Merry Christmas", only BUSINESSES telling those representing them to use an all INclusive greeting while (and this is key, and usually ignored by the "war on Christmas" myth dealers) ON THE BUSINESSES DIME.
ETA: I also thinks it's wrong, and frankly disgustingly pathetic, when some people emphasize the CHRISTmas (in speech or text) or otherwise use the phrase as a "f*** you" equivalent to those who don't share their holiday.
ETA: I also thinks it's wrong, and frankly disgustingly pathetic, when some people emphasize the CHRISTmas (in speech or text) or otherwise use the phrase as a "f*** you" equivalent to those who don't share their holiday.
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by
Ruby Member
on Dec. 4, 2011 at 10:48 AM
You are wrong that people don't ever say Merry Christmas with the intention of being offensive. Just about any time is is said with a deliberate and pointed emphasis on the Christ syllable, it might as well be accompanied by a middle finger. At those times it absolutely is being said with anger and intended offense. And is often a response TO being told Happy Holidays.
Quoting sdmckinney:You are right. I understand the type of political correctness that attempts to eliminate things that are truly offensive to people. I think it is the persons intent behind the statement that really matters. I don't think anyone intends to offend anyone else by saying "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays." People will become more divided if we try to think of something in some one's word that may be offensive to someone. If the greeter has good intentions, that is the part we should see.
Quoting Thomigirl:
The Stig!!!
Quoting silverrose7:
I say Merry Christmas because that's what I've always said. I don't get offended if someone says Happy Holidays or Happy Hanukkah to me, why should they get pissed if I say Merry Christmas? When did manners go completely out the window? If someone says something nice you just smile and say "You too." How hard is that? Political correctness does alot more to divide than to unite.
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and what "generation" are you?
- Cafe Robin
on Dec. 1, 2011 at 10:49 AM