Happy Holidays

[low_delta]

People talk about the holiday season and "the holidays" all the time. Why do they take offense when you wish them happy holidays?

Comments

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

It's a christian holiday, and those that celebrate it, find it offensive that others want the name changed. Likely someone assumed you were making reference to that.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Well, I think that, as Serendipity mentioned below, it's a politically correct term. Which bothers people. But it's also grammatically correct. To me, it's easier to say "happy holidays" than "merry christmas and happy new year."

And for store owners, it's a way to not offend someone who isn't Christian. So to me, when someone takes offense at the generic holiday wishes, it sounds like they're saying "I'm more important than you Jews and whatever holiday it is that you celebrate."

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

I've always wondered why people who don't believe in religion of any sort, celebrate the holiday.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Because there are two holidays hname Christmas. One is about Jesus, and everybody goes to church. The other is about Santa, and everybody exchanges gifts. The second one is more fun, and doesn't require religious belief. It's getting more common for Jews to do some Christmas celbration.

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Because they think it sounds too generic, trite, and "politically correct." They want you to wish them a Merry Christmas. At least the majority does. But uh-oh, better not get me started.... ;)

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I think it's even worse than that. I think it's all about "the reason for the season." Meaning, there are no other holidays at this time of year. Not even New Years Day, which is the other one that I always think of when I hear "happy holidays."

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Well, Hanukah is at a different time every year and this year it starts this week. Regardless, I always thought that saying "Happy Holidays" at any time in December was the same as wishing someone a happy holiday season - covering Christmas, Hanukah, (now also Kwanzaa) and New Year's Eve/Day.

If people take offense that you're *not* assuming they celebrate Christmas, maybe they should understand why some of us might take offense that they *always* assume we celebrate Christmas. Stop, I'm not supposed to get started, remember?

[northernsnokat.livejournal.com]

I really don't get the whole argument. Use what ever you want or feel comfortable with. I do both and in a card if somewhere it already says Merry Christmas I end with Happy Holidays and our name. No real reason except not to repeat myself. LOL

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I don't care if someone wishes me a happy Hanukkah. They're offering me a friendly greeting. Take it in the spirit it was intended.

[philrancid.livejournal.com]

It may be too early in the morning for me to be thinking on this, but I think if someone were to take offense at me offering them something nice, I would likely offer them further offense.

Just to make sure that had all of it they needed.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's kinda tempting.

[marswalker.livejournal.com]

On another hand, it's a pagan holiday, etc, and folks don't like being directed to use a "politically correct all embracing" statement to extend happy greetings.

I don't care if it's happy holidays, merry christmas, or beware of Krampus season.... if you're wishing me a good holiday, I thank you.

[ravengirl.livejournal.com]

I love Krampus! hee

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Right. It's the thought that counts. Unless you're unhappy that the person hasn't made the effort to guess your religion. Even though they're just spent six hours behind that register, and are trying to get your M&M's scanned as quickly as possible, to get you out the door, and is likely just bored of saying the exact same phrase over and over, so varies it between customers. Then you're wrong.

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

I'd like to say "Happy Holidays", because I don't know if the person I'm talking to is Jewish (or Pagan); however, "Merry Christmas" usually comes out of my mouth before I know it.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

It seems like I seldom say "merry Christmas," but I bet when I do, the person is usually non-Christian.

[ravengirl.livejournal.com]

I know you know the answer to this already and it's just a frustrating point. *shrug* People aren't gonna change.

I remember a carload of kids once, wishing me and my friend in his car a "Happy Hanukkah." Suddenly, it made sense to me-- we wish for others what we know, what we have, what we love. I wished them a Happy Hanukkah right back, because I know that's what they were celebrating. If someone wishes me a Happy Xmas, same back. Happy Holidays, same back. Whatever you're having, that's terrific, but I might be having something else. Respect.
(I'm gonna repost that bit to FB and watch my family implode.)

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Yep, rhetorical question. :-)

And I agree, 100%.

[eideteker.livejournal.com]

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I'll have to remember that, the next time Christmas falls on a Thursday. :-)

[vocalista001.livejournal.com]

They're unhappy you haven't *assumed* their religion.... Of COURSE all decent money-spending people are christian, how dare you think they're not celebrating Jesus' birth as they practice traditions based on consumerism?

It's such an anti-Jesus-like attitude that it's remarkably funny...a really bizarre judgmental thing, IMO.

But it doesn't stop me from smiling, planning holiday gifts and wishing it would snow...

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Right, right, and... right.

Non-American perspective

[banana.livejournal.com]

No one here says "happy holidays" because it wouldn't make sense - holidays means what you would call vacation. So even the holiday season is at a different time of year. The only time the word holidays is used about Christmas is in Coca Cola adverts.

I once worked at a Jewish family company. They all celebrated Christmas just the same as us non-religious people. For most of us, Christmas is a time to see your family, unwrap presents and eat to much. We all understand the Christian association, but we largely ignore it.

Re: Non-American perspective

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I knew you called vacations "holidays", but what word do you use for what we call holidays?

Maybe you Europeans are closer to the pagan roots of the day. ;-)

Re: Non-American perspective

[banana.livejournal.com]

Days when no one works are bank holidays (or sometimes public holidays). The Christmas period is called Christmas.