Happy Holidays... is it REALLY a big deal??

[ratchetlee]

This is a post I made last year... I felt the need to repost it!

OK, so I have been listening to the radio and am hearing so many ppl being upset because retailers are saying "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas". I understand that Christianity is under attack in America, but is this really one of those instances?  I know ppl that, a couple of years ago, put all the items back they were going to purchase because the cashier said "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".  Now, if I were the owner of a huge retail or department store, what would I do?  Let's say I own a Target.  I have customers of all types come into my store during the Christmas Season.  I will have ppl celebrating Hanukah, I will have ppl celebrating Kwanzaa, ppl celebrating Christmas, and ppl not celebrating anything.  (If I have left any out, it was not my intent.) I want everyone who enters my store to feel respected and of course to purchase items, right?  Anyway, how do I know which "holiday" they celebrate just by looking at them?  So I tell my employees just say "Happy Holidays" to EVERY customer, unless they are wearing something to identify their preference (a sweatshirt that says "Merry Christmas" for example) or if they greet you first.  If someone comes up to my employee and says "Merry Christmas" first, then that is how my employee should respond.  If the customer says "Happy Hanukah", then respond the same.  Is that really wrong?  Granted, I do believe ppl are too sensitive now days.  They are "offended" by the least little thing.  But come on, if you are Jewish and I say "Merry Christmas" is that REALLY offensive.  If it is, then I say YOU have issues to deal with not me.  No, I don't think the government has any right to determine how a store owner should address his customers, so the government just needs to butt out of that.  Personally, we don't celebrate Christmas at our house (yes we are Christians) and I don't mind those who do.  If someone says "Merry Christmas" - I simply reply back "Merry Christmas".  Yes, I do say it is a "Christmas" tree and not a "Holiday" tree. etc, etc.  I just wish everyone would lighten up when it comes to the simple greeting.  It's ok.  We are in America and can (for right now anyway) celebrate or not celebrate the Holiday season how we choose.  So please don't be offended or bothered or feel "under attack" because someone simply greeted you in a way they feel to be appropriate, but you don't like.  So thank you for reading.  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.  God Bless!!  Rachael

[mom2sophia711]

Dec. 5, 2008 at 11:12 PM

I say Merry Christmas....and sometimes Happy Holidays. It bothers me to a point, but only if someone is clearly trying to be PC about it. I really don't care which one they say....but when I see X-mas, that gets me. But nothing to get all up in arms about either, lol. Plus "Holiday" can be broken down like, Holy day. Hey, at least someone is being friendly, right?