Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas

[JLeigh34]

Question... For Christians, is it actually offensive to be wished "happy holidays"? I was at Target last night behind an older couple and as they were leaving, the young cashier happily wished them happy holidays with a genuine smile on her face, which is rare to see from someone in the retail industry this time of year. The older woman turned around as if she'd been slapped and angrily spat out "merry Christmas!" and stomped off with her husband, clearly proud of herself for defending her desire to keep Christ in Christmas. It made me want to vomit. It took everything I had not to make a snotty comment back to that old *****.

Does anyone else take offense to being wished happy holidays? Am I crazy for thinking that woman was a ***** to the young girl behind the register?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BNB]

Hmm, I actually wondered about that too. On the flip side though, people say "Merry Christmas" to me all the time and I don't give a shit. I'm not religious btw.

 

[gpphat]

Question... For Christians, is it actually offensive to be wished "happy holidays"? I was at Target last night behind an older couple and as they were leaving, the young cashier happily wished them happy holidays with a genuine smile on her face, which is rare to see from someone in the retail industry this time of year. The older woman turned around as if she'd been slapped and angrily spat out "merry Christmas!" and stomped off with her husband, clearly proud of herself for defending her desire to keep Christ in Christmas. It made me want to vomit. It took everything I had not to make a snotty comment back to that old *****.

Does anyone else take offense to being wished happy holidays? Am I crazy for thinking that woman was a ***** to the young girl behind the register?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is a girl I work with who does that and it drives me crazy...I sometimes just want to just tell them Happy Hanukkah instead just to get them worked up even more. It bothers me because how are the register clerks supposed to know if you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc. It has gotten to the point that giving a customer a friendly farewell isn't worth the potential backlash.

 

[Ares]

Question... For Christians, is it actually offensive to be wished "happy holidays"? I was at Target last night behind an older couple and as they were leaving, the young cashier happily wished them happy holidays with a genuine smile on her face, which is rare to see from someone in the retail industry this time of year. The older woman turned around as if she'd been slapped and angrily spat out "merry Christmas!" and stomped off with her husband, clearly proud of herself for defending her desire to keep Christ in Christmas. It made me want to vomit. It took everything I had not to make a snotty comment back to that old *****.

Does anyone else take offense to being wished happy holidays? Am I crazy for thinking that woman was a ***** to the young girl behind the register?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You always wish old white folks merry christmas, not happy hollidays.... rookie mistake

 

[JLeigh34]

Hmm, I actually wondered about that too. On the flip side though, people say "Merry Christmas" to me all the time and I don't give a shit. I'm not religious btw.

Exactly! I don't get pissy if someone says they'll pray for me or wishes me a Merry Christmas. I just respond politely and thankfully, like any decent human being should.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HeHateMe]

Is this thread going to be about hating on Christians, or about hating on hypocrates?

 

[JLeigh34]

Is this thread going to be about hating on Christians, or about hating on hypocrates?

No, it's about how ignorant and rude people can be.

PS, are you talking about hypocrites or Hippocrates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tjodalv]

I always figure it's the sentiment that's important; if someone wants to be a twat about which random expression you choose that's on them for being miserable. I've simply adopted wishing people a merry solstice since all the random religious festivals are based upon it anyway. :shrug:

 

[Crystallas]

I just say Happy Festivus, but it would be waaaay too early for that. Even though I do have the aluminum pole out.

 

[HeHateMe]

No, it's about how ignorant and rude people can be.

PS, are you talking about hypocrites or Hippocrates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

the first one. lol.

 

[1COBearsfan]

I cover all the bases. Harry Christmahanukwanzakah to all!

Just like tjodalv said, if anyone doesn't accept that then it's their fault.

 

[Doug Grohlin]

I was just talking about this very thing this morning.

My idea is that if you're talking to some random stranger, then say Merry Christmas, it's your right. Just as that person has the right to say Happy Hanukkah or whatever back to you. Something that simple should be able to be done peacefully.

Now if it's your job to answer the phone for some shitty company, then just keep in generic. That's where happy holidays comes in handy.

 

[Nail Polish]

Corporations generally use "Happy Holidays" as a cover all so that no one feels left out..I use Merry Christmas, but I don't get offended at Happy Holidays. Once at Wal-Mart, the cashier wished me "Happy Holidays" and I responded with "Merry Christmas to you"..She smiled and winked, and I took it as.." I was told not to say Merry Christmas"..Either way is OK to me. Maybe the couple you're referring to are very religious so they took offense..A big to do over nothing IMO

 

[bearmick]

Merry Christmas > Happy Holidays, but annoying Republicans > Christmas, so Happy Holidays it is

 

[Ares]

Either side of the "Christmas War" is nonsense... if someone offers you a cheerful greeting thats all it is, you cannot expect them to know for certain what your religious beliefs or lack of beliefs might be.

One of my roommates from college is Palestinian, whole family moved here from Palestine..... if I saw him and didn't know him I would not guess he is in fact Christian. Then I meet his best friend who is also from Palestine and turns out he is Muslim.

I guess my point is you cannot guess everyone's religious beliefs so no one ought to take offense to any greetings.

 

[Nail Polish]

dbl

 

[Nail Polish]

Merry Christmas > Happy Holidays, but annoying Republicans > Christmas, so Happy Holidays it is

lol...you crazy man

 

[brett05]

The couple shouldn't have responded rudely even if they Happy Holidays was said to them rudely. It's quite alright to use any of it.
That said I know of folks that will respond, "Which one" to "Happy Holiday" which I find non-confrontational and clever.

 

[Iwritecode]

Exactly! I don't get pissy if someone says they'll pray for me or wishes me a Merry Christmas. I just respond politely and thankfully, like any decent human being should.

Religious or not, those are the key words right there.

That said, some people seem to be out looking for things to be offended about these days.

 

[Omeletpants]

Question... For Christians, is it actually offensive to be wished "happy holidays"? I was at Target last night behind an older couple and as they were leaving, the young cashier happily wished them happy holidays with a genuine smile on her face, which is rare to see from someone in the retail industry this time of year. The older woman turned around as if she'd been slapped and angrily spat out "merry Christmas!" and stomped off with her husband, clearly proud of herself for defending her desire to keep Christ in Christmas. It made me want to vomit. It took everything I had not to make a snotty comment back to that old *****.

Does anyone else take offense to being wished happy holidays? Am I crazy for thinking that woman was a ***** to the young girl behind the register?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmmm…. now it's very clear to me….explains my suspicions