Americans Who Prefer 'Merry Christmas' to 'Happy Holidays' Are Wrong

[Cafe Robin]

What do you think?

Americans Who Prefer 'Merry Christmas' to 'Happy Holidays' Are Wrong

Posted by Maressa Brown on November 30, 2011

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!

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?

[romalove]

 

Quoting candlegal:

Yes, but now they have been taught that it is offensive to say it, sheesh

Quoting dustinsmom1:

 

Quoting OneToughMami:

Quoting dustinsmom1:

 

Quoting romalove:

 Shaking my head at the Christians in the thread who don't understand what giving a heartfelt greeting means.

It's not about YOU.

 Do you know of anyone who says Merry Christmas to be hateful or insulting? If someone wishes me a Happy Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, I don't get offended, I take it in the spirit it was meant, wish them a Merry Christmas back w/ a bright smile and go about my life....

I actually have yet to hear someone actually say Happy Hanukkah to someone that they do not know is Jewish

 I was born and raised in the Jewish Alps (the Catskills) I heard it all the time growing up, we simply smiled and wished them "and a very Merry Christmas to you!" there was never any offense taken on either side, it was a pleasantry shared, plain and simple.

 Who has been taught it's offensive?  To say Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukkah?

It's offensive that people are unkind towards each other and want to express what they celebrate rather than give a truly kind greeting.

 

[candlegal]

Really, cause everyone knows who they are    :)

Quoting Della529:

 "They" who?  Who are these "they" you mention?

Quoting candlegal:

Yes, but now they have been taught that it is offensive to say it, sheesh

Quoting dustinsmom1:

 

Quoting OneToughMami:

Quoting dustinsmom1:

 

Quoting romalove:

 Shaking my head at the Christians in the thread who don't understand what giving a heartfelt greeting means.

It's not about YOU.

 Do you know of anyone who says Merry Christmas to be hateful or insulting? If someone wishes me a Happy Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, I don't get offended, I take it in the spirit it was meant, wish them a Merry Christmas back w/ a bright smile and go about my life....

I actually have yet to hear someone actually say Happy Hanukkah to someone that they do not know is Jewish

 I was born and raised in the Jewish Alps (the Catskills) I heard it all the time growing up, we simply smiled and wished them "and a very Merry Christmas to you!" there was never any offense taken on either side, it was a pleasantry shared, plain and simple.

 

[LoveMyBoyK]

Bump to send to my mother when she forwards me the inevitable annual "keep Christ in Christmas" crap email that makes me want to put my eyes out.

[rfurlongg]

No kidding.

Quoting GomezMami2908:

I never understood the big deal about this. Just enjoy the season people, jeez. 

[Mommy_of_Riley]

I love how the article says people are "wrong" for having an opinion on what to say... HaHaHa!!!

My thoughts? Everyone needs to grow up and get over it!

[KRISTAL_WILDER]

I dont know one person IRL that would prefer it to be happy holidays and would be very pissed about calling a christmas tree a holiday tree. Christmas trees are just for christmas anyway arnt they?

[SewingMamaLele]

Quoting romalove:

 

 I think to only want to address the holiday that you celebrate or like without regard to what others celebrate has a selfish feel to it.

In general it's not a big deal for me; I'm an atheist Jew married to a Catholic.  I'll pretty much take whatever you want to say lol.

But I am talking about generosity of spirit in greeting giving, and only to distribute that which is meaningful to you isn't in the spirit of the holidays, IMO.

It's not selfish to share what we celebrate with others, and to accept  and share in what other people believe.   Again, I think generic greetings just try to cover up differences and no one really learns about others or gets exposure to everything.   We all just stay blind to the fact that other people celebrate different things.     So, I still say we should SHARE and CELEBRATE our differences!!    We don't all need to be the same, and we don't all need to say the same greeting.  Being different is okay, and there's no reason to get offended if someone doesn't know what I celebrate just by sight.

Maybe we need to bring back holiday pins so we can all identify our holidays on sight?  haha!

[romalove]

 

Quoting SewingMamaLele:

 

Quoting romalove:

 

 I think to only want to address the holiday that you celebrate or like without regard to what others celebrate has a selfish feel to it.

In general it's not a big deal for me; I'm an atheist Jew married to a Catholic.  I'll pretty much take whatever you want to say lol.

But I am talking about generosity of spirit in greeting giving, and only to distribute that which is meaningful to you isn't in the spirit of the holidays, IMO.

 

It's not selfish to share what we celebrate with others, and to accept  and share in what other people believe.   Again, I think generic greetings just try to cover up differences and no one really learns about others or gets exposure to everything.   We all just stay blind to the fact that other people celebrate different things.     So, I still say we should SHARE and CELEBRATE our differences!!    We don't all need to be the same, and we don't all need to say the same greeting.  Being different is okay, and there's no reason to get offended if someone doesn't know what I celebrate just by sight.

Maybe we need to bring back holiday pins so we can all identify our holidays on sight?  haha!

 LOL on the pins.

I will disagree with you regarding people being blind to what other people believe in.  Especially in America where the large majority of people are Christian, it seems especially unkind to cling so firmly to the idea of Merry Christmas as a way of "sharing" your celebration.  It feels to many like another way of being disincluded in America.

I still maintain that greetings should be offered to the person who's receiving, not the person who's giving. 

[romalove]

 

Quoting KRISTAL_WILDER:

I dont know one person IRL that would prefer it to be happy holidays and would be very pissed about calling a christmas tree a holiday tree. Christmas trees are just for christmas anyway arnt they?

Not in my house LOL. 

There is nothing wrong with calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree.  There is something wrong with the idea that because it's always been a certain way, things should stay that way.

I also think that it's likely true that you know all Christians, but that doesn't mean everyone in America is Christian.

People need to get used to the idea that times, they are a'changing.  :-)

[supermomma21]

This is absolutely ridiculous. you are Jewish and if someone says merry Christmas, you're going to get offended? Why not just say "thanks, happy haunukah (sp?). It's really not that big a deal